Open back banjos are usually associated with clawhammer playing styles. Their sound has a more subdued, gentle tone than that produced by resonator models, creating an enjoyable listening experience.
Resonator banjos weigh less and tend to be less costly, while not being as loud; for those seeking something mellower they won’t outgrow, these could be your ideal choice.
The Sound
A 17 fret tenor won’t sound the same as 19 fret Irish tenor!
Historically, banjos were played with gut strings which produced a rich, vibrant tone. Today however, nylon strings provide similar sounds with added durability.
Around 1860, someone came up with the concept of adding a wooden chamber, commonly known as a resonator, to make banjos louder. Resonators may not fit with all genres of music, but they are particularly well-suited to bluegrass which relies on fast picking speeds and strong volume levels.
Open back banjos have a more subtle sound and are generally lighter in weight and cost less than their resonator counterparts. Open backs work best for clawhammer style playing and can even be loudly played using an additional pickup system.
The Neck
An open back banjo’s curved neck makes it more streamlined and easier to play than its straight counterpart on resonator models, and some players find its feel ideal for clawhammer or old time playing styles.
Resonator banjos are preferred by bluegrass musicians as their louder sound can be heard over other instruments and people in a band setting – an essential aspect of bluegrass wherein everyone needs to hear the incredible picking talents of an excellent banjo player!
If you are new to banjo playing and don’t yet know which style or sound you prefer, I recommend purchasing a good quality resonator banjo. Although more costly than an open back model, its sound will make learning the instrument simpler; plus removing its resonator should prove seamless! Afterward, if it turns out that open back banjo suits your tastes better – it can easily be detached!
The Pot
Vega banjos feature open backs that tend to be lighter and mellower than their resonator counterparts, with different string setups to enable high string action (how high the strings sit above the fingerboard). Furthermore, their pots may feature different woods or designs; sizes and weight can vary depending on which banjo type is being played; tone rings also vary according to size but usually go unneeded as sound can still be heard without it.
Our HM-100A model boasts an 11″ steambent walnut pot with hand-cut osage orange tone ring, curly cherry neck, ebony peghead, brass copper walnut burl trim cap, Gotoh tuners and comes complete with its own padded case – an excellent value option.
The Tuners
An accurate tuner is indispensable. There are various kinds of tuners on the market, some with clips and others that require batteries or plug-in power; some can detect all twelve notes including sharps and flats; while others only work for standard G tuning; beginners may benefit from choosing non-chromatic tuners until they gain experience with playing guitar.
As is true of any musical stringed instrument, having an acute sense of pitch and hearing whether or not your banjo is in tune is of great importance for successful playing. Practice is key here to developing this ability – though a tuneless banjo makes playing difficult! You could try our online tuning game as a great way to train your ear for musical string instruments in tune. It will increase pitch sensitivity so you can start singing banjo songs perfectly tuned!