Open back banjos are ideal for playing bluegrass, old-time, and folk music; their sound is much quieter than that produced by resonator banjos.
Removing the resonator may reduce sound intensity; this might be worthwhile to keep in mind if you plan to perform in large venues or with loud bands.
Scale Length
No matter what style of banjo you play, the scale length will have an effect on its sound. A shorter scale will produce sharper and crispier sounds while longer ones tend to produce a tubbier sound.
Common choices include 26″ scale banjos, which correspond with modern full-scale instruments. Some vendors sell short-scale banjos such as Deering Goodtime II which have shorter scale lengths – these instruments are commonly referred to as parlor banjos though that term applies more to instrument size rather than scale length.
As your playing style and intended usage of the banjo dictate, selecting the optimal scale length depends on both. For instance, bluegrass pickers should consider purchasing one with a resonator to increase its volume during jam sessions – however other styles don’t necessitate such features.
Neck Material
A banjo’s neck is an integral component of its sound, with hard wood necks providing greater resonance than soft ones; however, each player must find what best suits his or her individual playing style.
Lighter woods tend to be more responsive to changes in temperature and humidity that cause it to expand or contract, as well as possessing brighter tones.
However, the type of wood used can have a considerable effect on its sound – for instance Honduran mahogany tends to be lighter than African mahogany while maple has its own distinct sound profile compared with walnut.
Head and Tone Ring
The head is what gives a banjo its overall sound and tone. It controls most of its volume and tone; there are various options for an open back banjo; clear heads tend to produce bright, snappy tones that work well in bluegrass settings while frost-covered ones produce warmer tones more suitable for old-time music.
The tone ring sits atop the head and helps shape the sound of a banjo. The type of tone ring used can also play an integral role, with arch top tone rings producing more cutting tones with their increased treble brightness.
Flat top tone rings allow more of the head’s surface area to vibrate, producing less intense sound than an arch top tone ring. Tone rings typically feature brass due to its inherent ringing properties; however, you may be able to find ones made out of other alloys and even plastic.
Strings
Many open back banjos are shipped without being properly set up at the factory; while they may have been perfectly functioning when first manufactured, but their journey across an ocean or on a truck from there to stores or homes requires them to require some adjustments before playing.
No matter if an open back banjo contains a tone ring or not, string type and weight have an impactful impact on its sound. Heavier strings place more strain on the bridge which causes more strain or pressure which in turn makes the banjo sound sharper or snappier.
Lighter strings require less tension to fret, making fretting much simpler on a banjo’s neck. Since strings are relatively inexpensive, experimenting with various gauges isn’t cost-prohibitive either. Most open back banjos are set up for Jazz (ADGC) tuning but can also be played Irish (low EADG) and plectrum (DBGC) styles of playing; typically 5-string open-back banjos are utilized in folk, old time, bluegrass music while 4-string tenors tend to be utilized within dance bands.