Open back banjos are an excellent choice for those searching for lighter weight banjos that still deliver plenty of punch, making them suitable for clawhammer, old time and frailing styles.
Addition of a wooden chamber (known as a resonator ) at the back of a banjo is commonly done to increase its volume; most modern banjos utilize this approach while old-time players usually do not require this extra addition.
Sound
Many beginners to the banjo may feel overwhelmed by all of the choices when purchasing their instrument, as some banjos contain resonators while others don’t, while tone rings may or may not exist on other models. When making their selection between open back or resonator models, a person should base it on what style of music they wish to play.
If the player plans on focusing on clawhammer (an old-time style of banjo playing), an open back banjo may be best as clawhammer players do not typically perform solos; thus producing a more subdued and soothing tone than with a resonator banjo model.
Banjo heads also play an essential role in shaping its sound. According to banjo experts, their primary vibration surface is the head and its material and tightness has an enormous influence on tone: for instance a skin head produces warm tones while Renaissance or Fiberskyn heads provide clear sounds without overtones.
Weight
Open back banjos tend to be lighter in weight due to the absence of a wooden bowl covering their sound chamber, allowing closer proximity between strings and fretboard and producing more vibrant tones than with their counterpart.
Some open back banjos feature heavy brass tone rings, adding to their weight, while there are others with thinner-rim rolled brass tone rings that remain relatively lightweight.
What kind of banjo do I need for bluegrass playing? That really depends on its intended use – for bluegrass you may require a resonator banjo so that your voice can be heard above the din of dreadnaughts and fiddles; but an open back banjo might do if clawhammer or old time styles are your forte; simply take off its resonator when practicing or remove it for practice (it’s easy and significantly mutes the sound) while living in dorm rooms have volume issues – there are mutes available which fit over bridges so your sound can still be heard above the noise if volume issues arises – there may be options available which fit over its bridge mute devices available which fit over bridges as mute devices can fit over its bridge for volume issues in dorm rooms; there may also be options available depending on which banjo type will fit best depending on its intended use (resonator or open back banjo will work best).
Adjustability
A banjo with no resonator produces a different sound from those with one, giving an instrument with open back no resonance and you can view through to its inner chamber producing sounds mellower and warmer tone than its resonator counterpart, making an open back perfect for Old-Timey, frailing or clawhammer styles of playing.
Bluegrass music requires the use of resonators in order to make sure other band members and audience can hear your virtuosic solos, so many bluegrass pickers opt for purchasing one even though they cost more.
Most resonator banjos come equipped with thumbscrews that allow you to loosen and remove the resonator, giving you the option of switching from a resonator banjo to an open back banjo with minimal hassle if desired. Plus, should one style appeal more than another, simply swapping out your banjo can help ensure an excellent experience!
Styles
Open back banjos offer a more soothing sound and lightweight construction, making them less costly and easier for beginners to tune. Many also feature lightweight composite rims rather than traditional metal ones found on older banjos.
Resonator banjos are the traditional choice for playing Bluegrass music, providing extra volume and making the instrument louder to compete with other musicians in most Bluegrass bands.
Other banjo styles like old time or clawhammer require a more subdued sound. An open back banjo with a bronze Deering tone ring is ideal for this genre and can be played either Bluegrass- or Old Time style music. Furthermore, this model makes an excellent first banjo and is often recommended as the choice for college students who wish to practice without disturbing other residents in their dorm rooms.