Resonator banjos, also referred to as “resonator tubes”, are large metal pieces with holes encasing a five-string banjo pot and designed to increase bass, depth and volume of its sound.
Bluegrass players almost universally employ banjos as part of their arsenal, making it an excellent instrument to learn or experiment with.
The Goodtime
The Goodtime with Resonator by Deering is a student banjo designed by Deering that meets all of the qualities teachers require in a student banjo – easy playing experience, reliability, durability. Lightweight yet perfect for travel and leisure use alike, it comes complete with an ergonomic TKL gig bag for storage.
This banjo features a steel tone ring and resonator to project sound outward, making it louder than its open back sister model and ideal for students who wish to stand out during jam sessions or rehearsals.
It is assembled at Deering factory in San Diego, and comes with a 5-string ebony maple neck that plays smoothly and feels fantastic, along with an exquisite Midnight Maple fingerboard featuring Artisan-style Pearloid inlays. Five high quality geared tuning machines provide easy tuning. Furthermore, spikes at 7-9-10 can expand playing range beyond G key into A, B, or C key!
The Pros
The Goodtime banjo is an outstanding entry-level instrument and represents great value for the price. Light and easy to play, its portability make it perfect for budding banjo players. Although one drawback may be its need for setup before shipment (a common theme among instruments in its price range), one may expect the instrument to ship as delivered and requires adjustment and setup to perform optimally.
Another great aspect of this banjo is its multi-ply rim, making it stand out among inexpensive models. Less likely to delaminate than single-ply models and easily switched for improved sound if necessary, this multi-ply rim provides additional advantages compared to its single counterparts.
Finally, this banjo features a resonator which makes the instrument louder for bluegrass playing style using three finger picks; but open backs may be better for clawhammer (frailing) or old-time banjo playing styles like clawhammer (frailing) or old-time banjo due to being slightly quieter; you can add a bridge mute for quieter operation if necessary.
The Cons
Resonator banjos tend to be louder than open backs, which may pose problems for players looking for quieter performance or in small to medium gatherings where competing instruments exist. Some bluegrass, folk, and traditional musicians tend to prefer an open back as its tone more closely mimics that of an acoustic guitar.
No matter your musical taste, banjos are versatile instruments used in many genres by everyone from Nelly Furtado and Matchbox Twenty to use in their recordings.
Resonator banjos do have one potential drawback in that their brass tone rings and flanges may require more frequent tuning adjustments than an open-back model, however this should be seen as a small price to pay for an instrument that can perform alongside fiddle, mandolin, or acoustic guitar.
The Bottom Line
If you’re shopping for a resonator banjo, be sure to research the used instrument market in your area. Many banjos can often be found at much more reasonable prices compared to mail order prices; additionally, consider its potential resale value should you plan to sell it later on.
Removing the resonator can be done easily and will significantly lessen the sound produced during practice, providing an ideal solution if you live in a dorm or want to practice without disturbing other residents.
Some collectibles appreciate with age, but banjos typically do not follow this trend unless they are professional instruments. Quality craftsmanship plays a large role in whether or not banjos retain their value over time – however this can be difficult to assess from pictures and owner claims alone. Also important: Certain features have become standard over time so those without them will likely have less of an upward value adjustment than ones which do possess them.