The basic open back banjo weighs less, since there’s no resonator, and its sound differs significantly as sound can more freely escape through it.
Open-back banjos are ideal for folk style music, often performed clawhammer style without finger picks and nail clippers. Furthermore, these instruments make an excellent introduction to playing banjo.
Resonator
Resonators in an open back banjo are comprised of either metal or wood and rest upon the top rim, underneath its head. Though tone rings play an integral role in producing sound from open back banjos, other factors such as wood choice, body construction, head diameter, string action and setup also play an integral part in producing its overall tone.
An open back banjo’s open design makes it quieter than its resonator counterpart due to absorbing some of its volume projecting outward. This gives it a more intimate sound, perfect for solo playing or informal jam sessions.
Conversely, resonator banjos are designed for maximum projection and volume, making them easily audible over other instruments in larger groups or venues, such as bluegrass bands. Many banjos feature removable resonators so you can choose to play either with or without it depending on your genre and style of music.
Head
A banjo may appear simple at first glance, but its internal workings are actually complex and intricate. For example, its rim includes several components that affect its sound; these include tone rings, co-ordinator rods and heads.
Wood type used in rim construction can have an enormous effect on banjo tone. Harder woods tend to produce wider frequency spectrums while softer ones produce fewer tones.
A tension hoop encases the head, resting around its upper edge and featuring anywhere from 16-24 hooks or brackets with hex nuts at their bases for holding. This tightening effect strengthens and crispens its appearance.
Many players prefer the old-style calf skin heads for their warm contrast and clear notes; others swear by newer fiberskyn heads due to their responsiveness and bass response.
Tone Ring
Most open back banjos feature a tone ring (commonly known as a brace) under their heads to improve note clarity, midrange definition and bass response. Thickness, alloy type, spacing/number of holes and shape all play an essential part in shaping its sound.
Deering-06 style tone rings are rigid brass pieces with triangular cross sections that produce a bright sound with strong midrange frequency emphasis, popular among some bluegrass banjo players and others. By comparison, Dobson style tone rings tend to be thinner and less rigid – producing warm tones and balanced high end sparkle for clawhammer and old time banjoists looking for tubby tones.
Many people misinterpret a tone ring as being limited to heavy tension hoops and bracket bands; however, in truth it encompasses anything which forms a resting surface for your head and influences tone production beyond what the basic rim contributes.
Body
Tone rings play an instrumental role in shaping the overall sound of your banjo, yet are only one factor among many that affect its sound. Other considerations may include wood types used, neck construction techniques used and head size requirements of your instrument design.
Selecting either an open back banjo or closed back banjo depends primarily upon the style of music that you wish to perform. Experienced players usually favor open back banjos due to their distinctive sound.
Open back banjos are ideal for clawhammer or old time frailing styles of playing, while they also work great for three finger bluegrass styles. Open backs tend to be lighter weight than their resonator-style counterparts but can sometimes be louder when strumming; thus some players prefer using resonator banjos for bluegrass due to the way the resonator helps dampen sound volume when strumming; it also boasts crisper sound quality with just three or four bolts holding it securely into place – all done within minutes!