Open back banjos offer more tonal variation than their resonator counterparts; so when selecting an open back model for musical performance purposes, the main factor to take into consideration should be your musical genre of choice.
Keep in mind that loosening or tightening hardware on a banjo can drastically change its tone, such as altering bridge weights, nut height or string gauges.
Size and Weight
The body (pot) of a banjo comes in various sizes and weights. When combined with various head sizes and types, string gauge, tension and tension adjustment settings and string tension adjustment settings, these variations combine to produce an array of tones from sharp and snappy to plunkiness; especially true of open back banjos that feature large tone rings or tubaphone-shaped pots.
Deering Goodtime banjo is an extremely popular open back option that delivers incredible volume and tone quality for its fair price point in America. Perfect for beginners, travelers and anyone wanting a high quality banjo at an economical price, the Deering Goodtime stands out as an excellent open back choice that delivers value at any level of skill level.
Sound Chamber (Pot)
Open back banjos provide a mellower tone at a lower cost. Many players opt for this style when performing Old Time, Clawhammer or Folk music styles.
Resonator banjos are well suited for contemporary music such as bluegrass. The pot’s acoustic energy resonates against player clothing and bodies to reduce banjo volume; therefore resonator models tend to be heavier and costlier.
Foam rubber, socks and rolled up towels can all be used to stuff banjo heads to reduce frequencies and dampen unwanted overtones; however, this approach has the disadvantage of negatively altering both its tone and frequency response when recorded.
The Banjo Bolster’s innovative design allows it to combat these adverse effects by subdividing its pot into two chambers, each equipped with their own tone ring and resonator. This enables different frequencies from both banjo head and resonator to interact differently with each chamber, effectively cancelling out unwanted overtones while creating richer tones.
Head and Tone Ring
The banjo head (commonly referred to as the pot) is what creates the sound, while its tone ring sits atop its wood rim underneath. While various variables influence how a banjo sounds when played, the tone ring plays an integral part.
Ton rings used on banjos include Electric, White Laydie, Tubaphone and Little Wonder; while Whyte Lady is an historical Vega design using blond maple which looks salmon colored when new. Each tone ring offers unique sonic properties to enhance and customize the sound of your banjo.
Please be aware that a quality tone ring cannot be interchanged with a conventional banjo without modification to its pot. In order for it to fit securely onto the pot, its wooden lip must be lowered by approximately 0.02 inches so as to enable its interior lining to contact tightly against its surroundings – instructions will be included with each ring for this process.
Strings
Open back banjos have a subtler, warmer and quieter sound than those with resonators, making them suitable for old-time and clawhammer styles. Their lightweight strings make these instruments popular among banjo players; among these is Gold Tone’s OBBS Open-back Banjo Strings as they are considered optimal.
Resonator banjos are often the choice of bluegrass musicians who need loud instruments that allow other band members and audiences to hear their virtuosic solos. Resonator models tend to be heavier and more costly than open-back models.
This Deering Goodtime open-back banjo features a multi-ply pot made of maple and birch woods for maximum sound quality and easy portability. Weighing only 4 pounds, it is ideal for young people as well as beginners or travelers.