Banjobuyingguide.com Website Review

In deciding which is the best banjo to buy, you not only need to look at banjo brands, but where and how they are made besides the materials and craftsmanship that goes into the instrument. You will also want to choose a banjo supplier to buy from that has a reputation for good quality (the longer period of time the better) and top notch customer service. Of course, you also need to think about what you need in a banjo for your experience level or for the person you are buying a banjo for. Do you need all the features I list here? Not necessarily. Look for getting the most you can, consider your own requirements, at the best value that you can afford. Here are some attributes we looked for when we evaluate a banjos construction: WOODS: The most favored woods are hard maples and mahogany for the head, hard maple for the neck. CLOSED, GEARED TUNING PEGS, made of high quality metals are the best. Closed gear pegs keep them clean and free turning. 5TH STRING CLOSED GEAR ON THE NECK. Make sure this is geared also, or you will have trouble keeping it tuned, and with the correct tension. Non-geared often cause broken strings, and have to be adjusted frequently to keep it in tune. A SLIM NECK for ease of playing (by all sized hands) METALS should be of the best alloys and secured well so that there is no humming vibrations that interfere with the sound. HEADS: 12 diameter heads are the standard. BRIDGES: A dual wood bridge is the best, with eb*ny on top (string side)being the best, maple below. ADJUSTABLE PLAYER CONTROLS: tail piece for sharpness, and an adjustable bridge for string clearance height (called action). MULTI-LAYER RIM CONSTRUCTION. The rim head should have at least 3 layers for the best true banjo tone. FINISH: The finish should be free of blemishes and look great. The cover frosted and long lasting. SOUND: The tonal quality should have a good sharp clas*ic banjo twang, whether picked or strummed (clawhammer style). The richer the tone, OUR CONCLUSION is that Deering (made in the USA), Oscar Schmidt, Gold Tone and Jameson still make the best line of high quality yet