All I want for Christmas is a banjo........

If this is you or if this is a family member of someone who wants a banjo this is the post for you!

Tips on what to look for in a banjo and things to consider. 

• price - what sort of budget do you have, do you want an entry level banjo, do you want to forgo the inevitable upgrade to a more expensive banjo later and skip that step, are you unsure if you'll stick with it.  all good things you need to know the answer to before you purchase. 
• banjo type and style - 2 basic types of banjos are open back and resonator banjo.  open back banjos are typically played in the clawhammer or old time style, while resonator banjos are typically played in the bluegrass/scruggs style of play.  NO set rule here so this is a matter of preference in my opinion.  either style can be played on either banjo and or both styles can be played at the same time on either banjo.  i play both styles on all my open back banjos (don't own any resonator banjos at this time because I prefer the lighter weight of the open back). 
• bang for your buck - ok this is extremely important here.  what am i actually getting at with this is do you want to pay more for a name?  just like any purchase you make you want to make sure you are actually getting all the bells and whistles for the best price.  what woods is it made of, what is the tone ring made of, what type of tuners are on it, and on and on and on.  all of this is important from the beginner to expert models.  
• what comes with it - yes this is important too.  who wants to spend a bunch of money on a banjo and not get a case with it?  you can get freebies if you shop around.  free cases, straps, tuners, lessons, and more.  
• shop around - again back to the name thing - we all know that shopping around is the best way to make a decision.  do so, research on the internet, see what's available to view on youtube.  do all this before buying. 

If you want advice from me on any of this I'll be happy to help you.  Keep in mind that I am now affiliated with Gold Tone and do sell their products.  I chose to align myself with them after years of playing their banjos.  I believe they offer quality products at great prices.  I can give you a great banjo, freebies, and lessons from me.  I can also help you compare Gold Tones to other banjos and will always give you my honest opinion about them. 

So in closing I want you to make sure you are making an informed decision before purchasing your first, second, or third banjo.

Mandy

We love because he first loved us.

~ 1 John 4:19