Banjo Brands To Avoid-Important Facts To Know!

If you’re a musician or a beginner looking for a new Banjo, it’s essential to do your research to get an understanding of the Banjo Brands to avoid. Unfortunately, there are a lot of different brands on the market, and not all of them are manufactured equally.

There are many brands out there that may give the consumer the feel of buying an expensive Banjo but do not hold up well.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss which Banjo brands you should avoid and why, plus what should you look for in a good Banjo.

Pick Your Banjo by Brand

There are many brands and types of Banjos available to pick from. But not all types of Banjo were created equal. So before you go out and buy your first or next perfect Banjo, it is important to do some research into the quality and construction of different makes and modern banjo models

The market for this stringed instrument has increased over time, and you should choose a brand that meets your requirements. You will come across several manufacturers and dealers due to the internet, and you should visit the finest.

What are Poorly Manufactured Banjos?

Poorly manufactured Banjo brands have several drawbacks that make them very undesirable, especially compared to the most well-known poor quality Banjo Brands.

The sound quality of a Banjo might be different from one Banjo to another, even among those made by the same company. As such, it is important to know if the variety of poor-quality banjos manufactured has been tested and proven to have different sounds from one another.

If you play with other musicians frequently, this consideration should take precedence over anything else. Poorly produced Banjos can result in chipping or further damage without even being touched because they are so flimsy. Even experienced banjo players will struggle to keep control of their Banjos if they are not made out of strong material.

Banjo Brands to Avoid

The Banjo market has always been challenging to navigate; often, what is marketed as a quality instrument isn’t at all representative of the price tag.

Most brands are small independent companies that focus on making instruments with an artisanal feel rather than big corporations that mass-produce low-quality cheap price instruments in developing countries. So here are the top 3 Banjo brands you should avoid.

1. The Bushman Banjo

The company makes a very cheap Banjo that is worth avoiding. They are known to be made out of low-quality metal, and the neck woods don’t help much either. The necks can warp or twist because of excess moisture in the wood, which is likely one reason why they cost so little.

2. Saga

This is an American company that used to be known for making good banjo for beginners but has since gone out of business and was bought by Saga Musical Supplies. Now their entry-level Banjos are not great at all.

3. Cheapo Banshee

Cheapo banshee Banjos might tempt some beginner banjo players for sale, which can be found online for about $100. Their name suggests that these are low-end instruments sold at very low prices. Many have inferior bright tonewoods and are poorly constructed with little attention given to detail.

These three brands offer very little value for money, as you will see when you purchase an instrument from them.

Avoid anything that isn’t Deering, Gold Star, Recording King, Gold Tone, Jameson, or Oscar Schmidt when looking for the greatest Banjos.

What Features to Look for when Purchasing one?

Most Banjos have a few key components that determine the quality of sound and how well it will hold up over time. Mainly, these are the head, the neck, and the tone ring, fingerboard, audible sound.

Head

The head is one of the most important parts of a Banjo. It determines how well it will hold up over time, the tone quality, and how easily it will be tuned.

A good Banjo head will have an even thickness throughout its body with no visible rips where it was glued onto the neck or around the edges. Also, there should be no large pieces missing from areas other than where they were meant to be cut off. For instance, if you bought a used Banjo without a resonator cover, the mounting grommet for where it attaches may have been snapped off. Still, it shouldn’t affect much else about the bright sound or tuning of the instrument.

Neck

The dimensions of a Banjo neck are typically 10-13/16 inches (27 cm) wide at the nut, 3-3/4 inches (9.5 cm) at the 12th fret, and 18 inches (45.7 cm) long.

It’s essential to pay attention to the radius of your Banjo neck since this will affect how easy it is to play and the volume you get while picking.

Fingerboard

The part of a Banjo between the nut and the bridge should also be smooth, without any bumps or divots, since these can make it harder to play a melody on them. In addition, consider which kind of quality wood you want for your fingerboard, and make sure it is compatible with the type of piece of wood your Banjo neck is made from.

It would help if you also looked for a fingerboard radius that matches your personal preference; most fingerboards have a 15 inch (38 cm) radius.

Tone Ring

A good Banjo will have a strong tone ring that is made of metal instead of plastic. A metal tone ring is more durable and will hold the drum’s integrity better over time. Particularly, if you are just starting out and learning to play the perfect Banjo. Many professional banjo players and banjo experts complain about the tuning peg.

Sound

An important thing to consider when buying a Banjo is how it sounds. For example, a beginner might not know quite what they’re looking for, but if you bluegrass player, then find something with a crisp and clear high sound. If you can, borrow a friend’s and get some idea of what the affordable Banjo should sound like.

Another thing to look for is the projection of the high sound. The high-string banjo has a very bright, sharp, and clear brighter sound; this makes it stand out when played with other instruments.

Fraudulent Sites

If you are planning to purchase a banjo from an online retailer then there are a few things to keep in mind. One thing to check is whether or not the site has an SSL certificate associated with it.

Does the website look like it was designed in 10 minutes or overloaded with flashy images and text? Do not proceed with the transaction if the information supplied on their website is insufficient or does not add up.

Conclusion

It is important to make an informed decision when purchasing a Banjo. Ask yourself, “what features do I want in my musical instrument?” and “What brand am I most comfortable with?”. If you’re not sure what brands are reputable or which ones to avoid, then you should research the topic before buying anything. I hope our facts and research helped you.