Open back banjos provide a softer tone, weigh less, and are often more cost-effective than their resonator counterparts. They are popular among clawhammer and frailing players but also great options for three finger Scruggs style bluegrass players.
A tone ring is a metal or wooden ring (configured differently depending on your model) which rests over the head and rim and significantly impacts sound production.
Size
Open back banjos are smaller and lighter than their resonator counterparts, with different setup and often using metal strings (which may be harder on the neck than nylon ones). Some open back models even feature tone rings which attach directly to the head rim beneath its head to add to their sound production capabilities.
These banjos are well suited for clawhammer or frailing styles of playing and make an excellent addition to Appalachian music lovers who appreciate old-time Appalachian sounds. Their gentle sounds offer the kind of experience needed to develop as a banjo player quickly.
Many banjo newcomers lack an understanding of why some banjos feature resonators while others do not, or the difference between an open back banjo and closed back ones. Resonator banjos may be more suitable for bluegrass playing (making the instrument loud enough to be heard during jam sessions with other musicians), however starting off with an open back instrument and adding one later should you need more volume or larger sound output is equally valid.
Sound
Experienced musicians may understand why certain banjo models sound differently from each other; beginners might not. A resonator banjo typically produces louder and twangier tones than its open-back counterpart because its tone ring changes how vibrations from its head vibrate, producing louder tones than an open-back instrument.
Romero notes that rim size also plays a significant role in sound production, with larger rims producing more bass frequencies than smaller ones. Romero further points out how material, shape, thickness and height have an effectful tone as well.
Open back banjos have a soft, melodic sound and are often associated with clawhammer music, where they provide background support to a fiddle player. Bluegrassers may prefer resonator banjos that allow them to compete with the volume of other instruments at jam sessions; however, any player can easily add a pickup for use with amplifiers.
Weight
Open back banjos typically weigh less than modern resonator banjos due to the weight difference in tone ring attachment, as opposed to having the resonator weighing down on it. This is due to how its mass adds heft while tone rings (which attach directly onto the top rim) only weigh several pounds each.
Open back models of banjos are ideal for beginners looking to master any Five-String banjo style, including Bluegrass. In particular, these open back instruments lend themselves well to “Folk,” “Old-Timey,” or “Frailing” playing styles.
Lightweight open back models make it easy for new players to avoid fatigue caused by carrying heavy banjos all day at festivals or jam sessions, while their reasonable pricing makes them an affordable way to start 5-string banjo playing. Many even come equipped with a scoop (or scoops) in the neck to accommodate players of frailing or clawhammer styles who use different approaches such as frailing or clawhammer techniques; this feature makes reaching high frets much simpler without having to remove and reinstall their neck every time!
Appearance
An open back banjo offers a more subdued tone than its resonator counterpart, and they tend to weigh significantly less. Without its securement flange for the resonator, they are easier to carry around, making them ideal for beginners or anyone wanting something smaller than an over-sized instrument.
This open back banjo features a rolled brass resonator, perfect for clawhammer or frailing styles of playing. Additionally, its Maple neck, 11″ three-ply Maple rim with Rosewood cap and 24 L-Shoe brackets as well as its steel reinforced nut and string tuners make this instrument truly outstanding.
The Goodtime banjo is an ideal first instrument for beginner musicians. Boasting natural finish violin grade Maple rim and neck, its lightweight body makes it easier for kids to pick up and carry around. At an attractive price point, its tone remains excellent even though minor cosmetic blemishes may exist on it.