Bluegrass Resonator Banjos

How to choose a bluegrass resonator banjo

A resonator banjo has a wooden back, the resonator, that throws the sound forward. That makes it louder and brighter than an open-back banjo, and it is why the resonator banjo is the standard in bluegrass, where the banjo has to cut through fiddle, guitar and mandolin. Most bluegrass players use three-finger picking with metal finger picks and a plastic thumb pick.

What shapes the sound

Tone ring. The tone ring sits on the rim under the head and shapes most of the tone. Starter resonator banjos use a light ring or none, while pro models use a heavy cast bell-brass ring.

Flathead or archtop. A flathead ring gives the classic bluegrass sound Earl Scruggs made famous. An archtop ring is brighter and more cutting.

Woods. Maple necks and resonators tend to sound brighter. Mahogany and walnut tend to sound warmer.

Weight. A heavy tone ring adds punch and sustain, and pro resonator banjos can weigh 10 pounds or more. A strap helps.

New, used and vintage

This page has everything from first resonator banjos to pro models and one-of-a-kind used and vintage banjos. New Gold Tone banjos ship with a professional setup from the Gold Tone factory, and every used, vintage and showroom banjo gets a complete in-house setup before it ships. Shipping is free anywhere in the US.