Some players prefer open back banjos for their more subdued tone that complements clawhammer style playing, plus their lighter and easier transport than resonator banjos.
Tone rings are metal rings which rest atop the head rim, playing an essential part in creating the overall tone and sound of an instrument. Although many factors can alter its sound, tone rings play an integral role in overall tone production.
Variations in the body (or pot)
As with most banjos, the type of wood used to construct an open back banjo can have a substantial effect on its tone. Furthermore, different tone rings may alter its sound.
Tone rings, usually constructed of metal or wooden and configured differently depending on its design, sit atop a banjo’s rim just underneath its head and can dramatically affect its sound; there is an array of available tone rings.
While open back banjos traditionally feature heavy tone rings suitable for older music styles, more contemporary players may require lighter rings similar to tubaphone and Whyte Laydie banjos that were popular during the early 20th century.
Resonator banjos
Resonators are an essential component of bluegrass banjos. They enable players to play loud enough so that other members of their band and audience can hear your impressive solos, while helping dampen some of the sound, making it easier for beginners to cut through live mixes more effectively.
The Deering Goodtime Resonator Banjo is an ideal starting model for musicians exploring bluegrass music. Equipped with a 24-hook brass tension hoop for increased control over head tension than its standard 22 or 20 hook counterpart, and featuring traditional banjo tuners instead of guitar-like tuners often seen on cheaper models, it provides plenty of control and will help musicians start out right.
The Goodtime is an inexpensive banjo, yet sounds great for its cost. Although it requires professional setup to achieve maximum sound output, such is typically true of mass market instruments. Furthermore, this Goodtime model can be further deadened by simply taking off its resonator which greatly decreases volume output of this instrument.
Clawhammer banjos
Clawhammer banjos are the perfect instrument for those who appreciate the soothing tones of old-time music, such as folk or country. Unlike resonator models, which feature an internal sound chamber for resonance purposes, clawhammer models don’t include one themselves and thus are lighter overall.
Claw Hammer (also referred to as frailing) is an intricate technique in which picking downwards on the five-string banjo’s strings is performed in contrast with Fingerpicking or Bluegrass style where index and middle fingers pick upwards onto its strings.
Clawhammer players do not necessarily require an open back (or resonator) banjo; this style can be played on any 5-string banjo. That being said, the ideal clawhammer banjos will come equipped with features designed specifically to make playing easier and more enjoyable, including features like rolled brass tone rings, Remo Renaissance heads and Gold Tone dowel sticks with hidden coordinator rods for quick and easy string action adjustments; furthermore these banjos typically have higher string tension than their resonator counterparts for providing adequate resistance needed by clawhammer players.
Bluegrass banjos
Many aspiring banjo players begin by studying the bluegrass style. This involves fast strums with flattened thirds and fifths. Although challenging to play on an acoustic instrument, bluegrass demands strong right-hand technique on the neck for optimal success.
Bluegrass banjos always include a resonator, which acts as a metal back to reflect sound forward and amplify it, creating a louder instrument while helping define its tone.
Scruggs and his contemporaries often used open back banjos; however, many Bluegrass musicians also employ clawhammer and frailing picking styles on these lightweight instruments.
Beginners looking to start Bluegrass banjo are best served by selecting a used model with real wood tone ring and pot; however, one-piece metal combined pot/flange (commonly referred to as pop-top) banjos may still serve well for learning this style without keeping everyone awake! Be wary of any cheap import banjos with planetary tuners – these do not hold tune as effectively.