6 String Banjos Buying Guide
So, you’ve narrowed down your choice, and you want to start playing the 6-string banjo. We have on our listings 6-string banjos to suit all styles and budgets.
6-string banjos are most commonly tuned just like a regular acoustic or electric guitar EADGBE and are the perfect crossover instrument for guitarists, played like a guitar but having that ‘banjo’ sound. With numerous other names including banjitars, guitjos, ganjos, etc, most people tend to use the term ‘6-string banjo’.
So, you’ve narrowed down your choice, and you want to start playing the 6-string banjo. We have on our listings 6-string banjos to suit all styles and budgets.
Generally there isn’t as much choice as their 4 and 5 string banjo cousins but the openback and the resonator models are the 2 main options.
For the budget conscious Ozark and Tanglewood resonator models can give you a start into the 6 string banjo world with both the standard scale and a shorter 19 fret version from Ozark.
From the USA Gold Tone and Deering have more options to choose from with Deering Banjos being made in the USA and being the better made overall instrument who offer most of their extensive banjo range in a 6 string option.
As with most acoustic guitars, 6 string banjos feature steel strings whether phosphor bronze or nickel wound and usually will be fitted with extra light set of strings due to there not being as much solidity from a banjo head than you get from an acoustic guitars wooden top. String choices though can be changed to suit the player and the banjo setup. The fingerboards are almost always radiused like an acoustic guitar to make it feel as comfortable as possible if you are coming from the guitar world.
They can be played just like a guitar whether you are a rhythm player who strums with a plectrum or a fingerstyle/finger picker so whether you use your fingers or picks it’s the same.
The banjo heads whilst usually the standard white frosted top can be changed just like the 4 and 5 string versions to give you a different sound.
Openback or Resonator?
Just like the 4 and 5 string version the 6 string banjo can be offered both as an openback if you are wanting a slightly quieter and lighter weight banjo or the resonator model which will give you that projection and volume you need when playing acoustically with others without your sound getting lost.
Electric 6 String Banjos
As with most other instruments the 6 string banjo can be ordered with or retro fitted with a pickup for playing live, busking or recording. Fishman, LR Baggs and Kavanjo are very good choices and all offer different price points and tones that would suit the sound that you want.