What Banjo Should Beginners Buy? | Cheap Vs Expensive

I you are a beginner, I recommend refinancing your house to get the most expensive banjo possible. Nothing quite warms you up as playing your banjo on the sidewalk after the bank takes your home

I played a $20 pos from a flea market (Lotus plastic/wood garbage) for 25 years until just now when I finally bought a big boy instrument. More than night and day; it’s a whole new universe of my potential.

My first banjo at age 28 was a Kay, made in the 40s, then a few years later, I graduated to a Orpheum, learned to play a little on that, then at age 50, my son gave me a Deering black diamond for my birthday, then when I retired, I started playing in nursing, and assisted living homes with a gospel bluegrass band, I bought myself a Gibson RB3 wreath design, that has been my banjo now for almost 20 years, yeah, I’m old.

I started playing in ‘76 with a $99 banjo. My teacher had an Ome , which I really wanted to upgrade to. I got a Washburn B17. Very happy with this choice. Then banjos are just awesome.

It took me a LONG time to hear the difference, but I finally hear the difference in tone. I had been saving money for a while, and just decided to get a pretty decent one to start off with. I have the RK-35 and I'm pretty pleased with it.

Just bought a Rogue B30 for my first banjo. I have wanted a banjo for 40 years. My husband bought me one for Christmas. I’m 58 and just starting to play. I love it!

I have a goodtime, I like it. It has a nice tone for the price. I do notice the difference between the 2, and I agree that for a beginner, that banjo it will take you right through intermediate stage.

I'm starting out on a Deering Goodtime. Once I log 1000 hours of practice, I will be looking to treat myself to something nicer...probably a Nechville Galaxy. But for now, I am really enjoying my Goodtime.

First off great video Mason. You covered everything a new player needs to know going into a shop or second hand store looking for banjo. Myself I really enjoy the middle of the field instruments. The majority of them can be modified into a great instrument that's custom to what you want. I also think the most important part is how comfortable the instrument sits on your lap while you play it.

In august 2022 i bought a 5 strings banjo ! It was a dream which come true for me after 40 years... I am a 55 y.o guitar player and an inconditionnal fan of Bluegrass Music. I am French. Since i have my Banjo i can't help playing it even before my first cofee !! I bought a cheap one, 183 euros a 3rd avenue banjo (ah ah ah amazing unknown for ya'll i bet ! ) to be sure i would not be tired to fast. Goaaaaal !! love it ! thank you Mason for your video and lessons ! Much Love from France (south Macronia..)

I am just now taking up Banjo at 38 and I got mine for the low low price of free. Great Grandpa Allfonse always said anything free is worth saving up fer😂 Anyway a nice lady gave it to me because she decided she would try and then gave up on it. She heard me saying I wanted to get into bluegrass fiddle and gifted me the Banjo. It is an inexpensive ADM, but after tightening the head, positioning the bridge appropriately and setting the neck right it sounds ok enough to learn own. I have been practicing my rolls everyday for atleast an hour. Getting faster and more accurate everyday. Will upgrade to an Ibanez soon for something a bit better but not expensive.

I heard an old Gibson banjo that projected with so much volume that it needed special mic settings compared to a second banjo. I asked the artist what he thought. He did not know why the years had been so good to that banjo. I am a guitar player and I have experienced how they change tone as they age. It's why old Italian violins can sell for a million dollars. I thought you were going to explain every part of the banjo that makes it cheaper and more expensive. What kind of wood, frets, tuners, plastic, metal, decoration, inlays, bridge, diminisons, precission fit, resonater details, weight, and lastly the tone differences from each component.

Man, I like the sound of the Rogue better than the Gold Tone. Thanks for the video, I'm looking at picking up the banjo

My first challenge before I even decided on what Banjo I wanted was getting a thumbpick that would fit and thankfully with some help I got a Goldengate and it fit just fine unlike the other "Large* sizes in other brands. Then I knew wanted an American made model....and I've always been a fan of Deering. I listened to all the beginner models that I could afford both open back and resonator....with and without a tone ring. I decided on the Artisan Goodtime Special because it was the best sounding of all of those I lookedvat...it had a resonator....Tone ring....railroad spikes already installed (was just thinking of future use) and its made in the USA. The Ibanez 200 and the RK 35/36 both are cheaper and may have a slightly better sound or tone but I guess I'll worry about that when I learn and step up into a Deering that isn't a learners model. Or I may drop the money to buy myself a Hatfield Buck Creek from John Hatfield in Glasgow Ky. I talked to the guy at Dollywood playing it, and he recommended it over the Deering, but he told me the playability of the Deering is well worth the entry price for learning on. After I got it I found another challenge was finding a hardcase to fit it.....I bought a Crossrock ABS from Amazon and my banjo flopped like a fish in it....I gotba Road Runner ABS from Guitar Center and it fits like a glove. I called Crossrock, and they wanted to sell me a 400 dollar fiberglass case....I was like nope...I got the Road Runner on sale for 119.....oh the things you run into before even playing your first note.

I own Taylor and Martin acoustic guitars primarily and Gibson and Fender electrics. So, I feel it’s best to get an instrument that won’t disappoint me. Learning the banjo, my own ineptitude is disappointing enough without additional obstacles being added from a poorly constructed instrument. As Laertes was instructed by Pelonius about clothing, “Costly thy habit as thy purse can buy, But not expressed in fancy; rich, not gaudy”. I chose a Deering Artisan Special for my first. As I said, my only disappointment so far is me. Lovin’ the banjo and having a ball learning it.

All Goldtone instruments are very good. I originally moved up from a banjo similar to a Goldtone CC-50 RP. It’s a better quality entry level instrument. Since them I’ve moved up to better instruments with a decent quality tone rings. They truly make a difference in sound. I would recommend any Goldtone instrument to anyone. Everyone I’ve heard is good. On the plus side also, they are all set up to play when you get them in. You can’t beat that.

The Gold Tone has more snap and ring to it. But the other one still sounds decent. Playability is improved with the Gold Tone I'm sure. I have been playing for a long time. I bought an RB 250 new in 1979, and I bought a Gibson Earl Scruggs Standard about 20 years ago. I think I'd like to get a moderately priced banjo to take to camp fires and such. I go through hot and cold phases with my playing, am coming out of a cold phase now. You play good and am an inspiration to me. Thanks.

I couldn't tell the difference until I visited the Huber Banjo shop down in TN. The "playability " was key for me. Every strike, fret, hammer on, pullout, was effortless, with superior tone and sound.

My first banjo was a Chinese $150. Took the resonator off , put on gut strings. Lots of fun. Stays in tune for months. Then I got a recording King bgm bench model, stellar! No hole tone ring and ebony finger board.

Hi Mason, I recently purchased a 60's Beltone Irish tenor 4 string banjo and I'm very excited on learning. Since I also play guitar, the banjo seemed relatively easy to learn..Cheers mate.