Good advise based off volume. But if you only have enough money for one, buy the open back, it's cheaper when money is tight. Also, where you practice plays into it. If you're a beginner and have family in the same house, they will appreciate the open back banjo over a resonator also.
Thank Jim... that pretty much answered my question... and I know that the resonator can actually be removed from most banjos with just a few screws.. although I probably wouldn't bother.
Thank you Jim.The trouble is I can only afford one Banjo and the Record Kings sound Fab for Bluegrass (in your hands anyway ) . The scale lengths seem similar so I am tempted to give it a go. ...... Bye Bye Blues.
Thank you very much, Im 23 and I plan on getting a banjo for the first time and i am very scared the chords instruments would be eally hard to learn, but seeing you explain and teach makes me want to learn even more.
Just buy the resonator banjo, you can take the resonator off whenever you want and have an instant open back banjo. Two in one. That's what I do. works great.
This topic is interesting to me. Somewhere along the lines it was widely theorized that openback banjos were more suitable for clawhammer, while resonator banjos were more appropriate for bluegrass. I'm not the world's most experienced banjo player, but I always thought it all came down to which banjo sounds the best to you, and is it comfortable when you get your hands on it. I'm a bluegrass picker, and I recently got a Deering Americana 12 inch banjo. This is an instrument that is touted for being more suited for clawhamer, but I chose it because I like that mellower, plunky tone. I often how I wondered what I could adjust on my Gretsch Dixie openback to get it to sound mellower and fuller, and my answer came in the form of a 12-inch head, and the specs that followed suit. I'm glad I didn't end up modifying it in any way, as it is a wonderful instrument and a great value for your money, regardless of application. A sales rep also pointed out that my playing banjo across my lap (Jeff Healy style) could also have an impact on the tone, as the skin is now facing upwards instead of outwards. There's my 2 cents, even if they don't make pennies anymore
It's easy. If you're playing professionally get a professional grade banjo with lots of volume and a good tone. If you aren't professional and are just playing for yourself, get the banjo that pleases you the most when you hold and play it. And holding it is important, because the pro grade banjos are heavy. I ended up with a synthetic strung banjeaurine. Good for mountain style, three finger style and classic parlor music.
Good advice. You can always play up the neck with your right hand to mellow it out. I often wonder if I'm in a claw hammer jag, putting a different mellower head on it. If I thought ahead, I even suppose there are banjos that are designed so the resonator can be taken off without leaving that sawtooth around the pot.
You answered my question. I am a beginner, and I want to get into jams. I think the resonator banjo would be able to hold its own against the violins as it can pump out a lot of volume.
I find the resonator banjo holds its position better than many open backs, which tend to be "divers." The neck and headstock take a dive because that's where the weight is. Heavier resonator instruments hold their position and that's worth a lot when you're trying to play it without supporting the neck with the left hand.
I disagree. I’ve never encountered a “diver” open-back banjo, and while I’m not the world’s leading expert, I have held more than a few. Also, if anything, I find the resonator to be slick and pretty much require a strap to keep the neck from falling. I don’t know... either way, I wouldn’t say it’s a factor in deciding which style to buy.
Having just one banjo is like having just one pair of pants. I have my 5 string resonator, my 10 string open back, and I'll be getting another 10 string, but a resonator.
Hay Jim , I posted a question on your squirel hunters clip and thought I'd post one here too.To keep it short, I'm looking for an armrest for my new 12 inch ramsey special , what kind of armrest are you using on your banjos and would it fit a 12?
Hello Jim. I have enjoyed watching your videos. I am looking into trying to learn the banjo. However, do you recommend a beginner banjo that will not break the piggy bank per se? I hate the thought a person must spend $700-1000 for a banjo. Any inputs you can give will be appreciated. Thank you for your time and efforts.
Wife is buying me a banjo because I am "an English hillbilly" 😂 Looking forward to starting learning so information like this will save me wasting money, thanks
Jim do you think the recording king resonator 5 string style banjo would be good for dixieland style plectrum playing.... providing you could somehow mute the 5th string?
I'm probably the last person that could answer that. Years ago I had to play plectrum briefly during a musical - i just wound up taking the 5th string off for the performance. Still, it would be better to have an actual plectrum.
The problem I'm facing is I'd like to learn bluegrass, but also play Irish trad, which does the fiddle lines. I'm reading that for trad, I'll need a four string. Is there any advice you can give me, please?
I'm looking to get a banjo in the next few months...my issue is that I am left handed, and just looking on YT here for beginning lessons, even though it says left handed, everyone is holding it right handed...what's up with that? ....and I am on a fixed income and want to find a Good banjo but not insanely expensive....can you tell me a good one to buy as it will be the only one I will have....one with a resonator please....thanks :)
@@JimPankey no I don't I'm a newbie. I have always wanted to learn to play the banjo though. Hee Haw was always a fave in our house growing up :) I have one in mind from Guitar Center a 5 string.
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I wasn't aware that you could possibly have only one banjo! (Don't let my wife know)
I know. Crazy concept, eh?
Good advise based off volume. But if you only have enough money for one, buy the open back, it's cheaper when money is tight. Also, where you practice plays into it. If you're a beginner and have family in the same house, they will appreciate the open back banjo over a resonator also.
My Gold Tone is convertible, it has a quickly removable/replaceable resonator.
Thank Jim... that pretty much answered my question... and I know that the resonator can actually be removed from most banjos with just a few screws.. although I probably wouldn't bother.
Thankyou Jim. Very helpful in figuring out out what to get. cheers
Thank you Jim.The trouble is I can only afford one Banjo and the Record Kings sound Fab for Bluegrass (in your hands anyway ) . The scale lengths seem similar so I am tempted to give it a go. ...... Bye Bye Blues.
Thank you very much, Im 23 and I plan on getting a banjo for the first time and i am very scared the chords instruments would be eally hard to learn, but seeing you explain and teach makes me want to learn even more.
You'll do just fine. :)
Just buy the resonator banjo, you can take the resonator off whenever you want and have an instant open back banjo. Two in one. That's what I do. works great.
This topic is interesting to me. Somewhere along the lines it was widely theorized that openback banjos were more suitable for clawhammer, while resonator banjos were more appropriate for bluegrass. I'm not the world's most experienced banjo player, but I always thought it all came down to which banjo sounds the best to you, and is it comfortable when you get your hands on it. I'm a bluegrass picker, and I recently got a Deering Americana 12 inch banjo. This is an instrument that is touted for being more suited for clawhamer, but I chose it because I like that mellower, plunky tone. I often how I wondered what I could adjust on my Gretsch Dixie openback to get it to sound mellower and fuller, and my answer came in the form of a 12-inch head, and the specs that followed suit. I'm glad I didn't end up modifying it in any way, as it is a wonderful instrument and a great value for your money, regardless of application. A sales rep also pointed out that my playing banjo across my lap (Jeff Healy style) could also have an impact on the tone, as the skin is now facing upwards instead of outwards.
There's my 2 cents, even if they don't make pennies anymore
It's easy. If you're playing professionally get a professional grade banjo with lots of volume and a good tone.
If you aren't professional and are just playing for yourself, get the banjo that pleases you the most when you hold and play it. And holding it is important, because the pro grade banjos are heavy.
I ended up with a synthetic strung banjeaurine. Good for mountain style, three finger style and classic parlor music.
Claude of
Both sound great for both styles - even the open back on bluegrass, albeit at a lower volume!
Thanks so much for the information & man if I get to play only half as good as you I would be happy.
Good advice. You can always play up the neck with your right hand to mellow it out. I often wonder if I'm in a claw hammer jag, putting a different mellower head on it. If I thought ahead, I even suppose there are banjos that are designed so the resonator can be taken off without leaving that sawtooth around the pot.
My earliest clawhammer heroes all played resonator banjos. I say just play what you’ve got.
Looking into purchasing my first banjo. Thanks for the information. :)
Also - your shirt is amazing!!!
Thanks!
great video and great help. thanks :)
Hearing someone talk about the difference between the two banjos helped me way more than any article ever would. Thank you Jim!!
So glad this was helpful!
You answered my question. I am a beginner, and I want to get into jams. I think the resonator banjo would be able to hold its own against the violins as it can pump out a lot of volume.
I've used both in either situation. My open back is loud enough for most jams - bluegrass or old-time. :)
I find the resonator banjo holds its position better than many open backs, which tend to be "divers." The neck and headstock take a dive because that's where the weight is. Heavier resonator instruments hold their position and that's worth a lot when you're trying to play it without supporting the neck with the left hand.
Depends... brackets help with the sliding, but I tend to use a strap no matter what.
I disagree. I’ve never encountered a “diver” open-back banjo, and while I’m not the world’s leading expert, I have held more than a few. Also, if anything, I find the resonator to be slick and pretty much require a strap to keep the neck from falling. I don’t know... either way, I wouldn’t say it’s a factor in deciding which style to buy.
here in Perú nobody sells banjos ☹️ and i love banjos, whyy 😪 i will try and get the Recording king banjo one online, lol wish me luck
I hope you can get one soon!
I think people associate the sound of the resonator with the sound of playing with fingerpicks, when it's actually way more versatile than just that.
Totally
Thank you so much you have been very helpful you have made my mind up and put me on the right track, thanks 🎵 A
Glad I could help!
Thank you 🎶🏄
Jim;
What would the open back equivalent of the RK35 be?
Having just one banjo is like having just one pair of pants. I have my 5 string resonator, my 10 string open back, and I'll be getting another 10 string, but a resonator.
What is a good openback banjo
Have you tried tuning it like a plectrum banjo?
Hay Jim , I posted a question on your squirel hunters clip and thought I'd post one here too.To keep it short, I'm looking for an armrest for my new 12 inch ramsey special , what kind of armrest are you using on your banjos and would it fit a 12?
I'm not sure what it is exactly, but I think it's what banjo dot com sells as a Vega Style armrest.
Hey Jim! What's the mini 5 string you have on the wall? I'd love to have something similar for on the road :) love all of your stuff, by the way!
It’s an old piccolo banjo from the turn of the century. That’s about all I know about it.
ok, thanks a lot Jim :)
Hello Jim. I have enjoyed watching your videos. I am looking into trying to learn the banjo. However, do you recommend a beginner banjo that will not break the piggy bank per se? I hate the thought a person must spend $700-1000 for a banjo. Any inputs you can give will be appreciated. Thank you for your time and efforts.
Look at the Recording King Dirty 30s line.
Wife is buying me a banjo because I am "an English hillbilly" 😂
Looking forward to starting learning so information like this will save me wasting money, thanks
Congrats on the banjo! Better hang onto that wife. :)
Whats the open back banjo you played?
Best regards
It’s a Ramsey Woody
This smooth-faced gentleman plays the banjo very skillfully, but I thought this was a Jim Pankey video?!?
Pretty much everything before 2016 will be beard-free
@@JimPankey you look great both ways, mate! Thank you for the content!
@@DrewsOnFirst ☺️
Jim do you think the recording king resonator 5 string style banjo would be good for dixieland style plectrum playing.... providing you could somehow mute the 5th string?
I'm probably the last person that could answer that. Years ago I had to play plectrum briefly during a musical - i just wound up taking the 5th string off for the performance. Still, it would be better to have an actual plectrum.
You can install a spike around the 22nd fret to "unmount" the 5th string without removing it.
Then tune the 4th down to C.
And thats it.
Good video
Thanks 😊
The problem I'm facing is I'd like to learn bluegrass, but also play Irish trad, which does the fiddle lines. I'm reading that for trad, I'll need a four string. Is there any advice you can give me, please?
If you’re gonna play Irish tunes, then yes, you’ll want a 4 string. Bluegrass will require a 5 string.
@@JimPankey Darn, that's just how it is I guess. Thanks for your speedy reply!
Question are Washburn b16 banjo's made in the usa? Thanks
No.
Sir can one take off the resonator and the banjo still plays fine?
You can, but no reason to.
I agree with Hugh Strawn.......Soooooh LOL
i wasnt sure if the outfit was borrowed from a kids tv presenter or someone 'special'.
+simon lloyd the shirt belonged to axl rose in the 80s...
has the resonator banjo always been available
The sort of flange and resonator that we see on banjos today has been around since the early 1920s.
@@JimPankey Thank you The ones I saw when growing up here in Australia in the 50s were open backed
I'm looking to get a banjo in the next few months...my issue is that I am left handed, and just looking on YT here for beginning lessons, even though it says left handed, everyone is holding it right handed...what's up with that? ....and I am on a fixed income and want to find a Good banjo but not insanely expensive....can you tell me a good one to buy as it will be the only one I will have....one with a resonator please....thanks :)
I really don't have any advice for an affordable lefty banjo. Do you already play a stringed instrument?
@@JimPankey no I don't I'm a newbie. I have always wanted to learn to play the banjo though. Hee Haw was always a fave in our house growing up :) I have one in mind from Guitar Center a 5 string.
Cindy B then... I’ll just point out that it takes both hands to play the banjo. ...and be glad you’re not shopping for a left handed piano....
@@JimPankey 😂😂 true! Thank you for the replies. 😁
What kind of closed back banjo are you playing here, Jim? Thanks.
+Michael Rush it's a Recording King M5
😂👍🪕, you look waaay better with white hair & the beard 🤔👍
You think so? 🥸
@@JimPankey ….definitely adopted the mantle of ‘distinguished gent’ 🪕😊👍