Beginning banjo players should look towards open back banjos as an ideal starting point. These banjos do not require resonators, producing softer sounds while remaining more cost-effective than their counterparts with resonators systems.
Gold-Tone recently unveiled their CC-100+ banjo, equipped with a tone ring and planetary tuners to give it a classic appearance and serve as an upgrade for beginner banjos we have all been using. It makes an excellent upgrade option.
The sound of an open back banjo is softer
An open back banjo’s sound is much softer than that of its standard counterpart due to the absence of a resonator that encloses and amplifies its tone, creating a mellower and smoother tone that suits old-time music and other soft genres perfectly.
The type of wood used in the neck also influences its sound; hard woods provide greater resonance and clarity while softer ones tend to provide less. Mahogany banjos tend to produce the sweetest sounding instruments.
Your choice of banjo should depend on what style of music you plan to perform. For bluegrass players, resonator banjos provide louder, twangier sounds. But for clawhammer or frailing style banjos such as clawhammer frailing banjos an open-back banjo may be more suitable, usually being cheaper and lighter; moreover they typically feature guitar tuners rather than banjo-specific tuning pegs (though this should make no difference over time).
It does not need a resonator
Uncommon misconception: an open back banjo without resonator must be inferior. Not so! Resonator-back and open back models both provide equal playback quality; although bluegrass players tend to favor resonator-backed models while open back versions tend to excel for folk and old time music.
Open-back banjos are typically lighter and cheaper than their resonator counterparts, while boasting a mellower sound and being easier to play – perfect for beginners looking for their first banjo and for those traveling with it.
Beginners may opt for an open-back banjo; however, for louder songs I suggest investing in a resonator-back banjo; though they tend to cost more, their greater resonating capabilities make them ideal for bluegrass or other loud genres of music.
It is easier to play
As an ideal starting point for learning the banjo, an open back banjo is ideal. These instruments are lightweight and easier on the fingers while they can also be attached to resonators to increase tone; moreover, these models tend to be cheaper than resonator banjos.
Clawhammer banjo players often prefer open back instruments while bluegrass players favour closed back banjos with resonators; however, any attempt at disassembling or altering a banjo will alter its sound quality significantly.
New banjo players often receive advice to purchase a quality instrument within their budget and upgrade later to a resonator model. This advice is sound: an inferior banjo that doesn’t play well can cause wrist pain or other injuries. To protect against this situation, opt for an open-back banjo with soft armrest and lightweight body to avoid too much wrist strain during practice sessions; maple wood material offers stronger necks that reduce risk.
It is cheaper
An open back banjo is much cheaper than its more costly counterpart, making it ideal for beginners looking to explore playing this instrument while saving money during learning. Furthermore, its reduced price makes it suitable for musicians with tight finances who might otherwise struggle to afford more expensive full-size instruments.
Many of the features that make Deering Goodtime banjos so desirable in today’s marketplace can be found on this model, such as its 2-way adjustable truss rod, 11″ composite rim, chrome plated hardware, and guitar style tuners. Furthermore, this AC-1 comes equipped with 24-hook head tension control to ensure even tension across its entirety and avoid dead spots that could affect fundamental frequencies or overtones.
Most banjos designed for bluegrass players include resonators, but there are a few models which offer sufficient volume without one. Clawhammer players tend to favor open-back banjos over those equipped with resonators; however, both will serve their purposes just fine if you are interested in clawhammer.