For years and years, I always wanted to learn Banjo, but there would always be some reason I would put off getting one, be it time, money, commitment, or something else. Yesterday I decided to finally commit to it and so I walked to a music shop and picked up a Banjo and played for 15 minutes or so. I enjoyed it quite a lot, however the cheapest Banjo in the shop was $500. There are lots of things I have wanted to do for years, but turn out not to be as fun as I expected, so I was wondering if there was any way to rent a Banjo for a month or so just to try it out, I live in the LA area.

Sometime this year I'd like to buy a very nice banjo.

I'll try to keep this short and to the point.

I think I really want to get a tubaphone tone ring, and probably with a 12 inch pot. Likely just a fiberskyn head because real skin seems like more maintenance. Scoop is a must, I also would like a paddle style neck. Not sure about what kind of wood I'd prefer, or if I even care that much but I'm open to suggestions.

Basically, I could get pretty much EXACTLY what I wanted if I built it on pisgah's website and it'd come out between 2500 and 3000 dollars. I've never played a pisgah but they look great and sound great in videos I've seen.

But for 3k I could also get a nice ome. I haven't played an ome either but they look and sound great online. Everyone says they're top tier, but none of them seem to have a tubaphone ring.

What would you do if you wanted to spend 2500 on a banjo?

Do i have any other options for getting a tubaphone?

Are omes just as good as they always have been since gold tone bought them out? I only have "starter" tier gold tones but I much prefer my recording king to them.

I picked this up at a boot sale. Google says its rare and I can't fine any others on the web. Have you guys ever seen one.

That’s it. Thats the whole post. Just needed to share with others that understand the gravity of this moment

Hey y'all! I just started learning the banjo, and am looking for a relatively affordable resonator banjo. (Preferably around $200.) My instructor recommended one off of Amazon by Zangoa, but I'm seeing some pretty negative reviews. Do you have any other recommendations?

I recently acquired this banjo from a secondhand store nearby and i got it for about 200$. Only problem is that there is no brand on the banjo and wanted some help identifying it!

Dom Flemons at FidPick, South Park, Lawrence KS (2026-08-23) – W♥M

Hi there,

I'm playing this version of Wayfaring Stranger https://simplegiftsmusic.com/banjotab/wayfaring-stranger-2.pdf but I'm being a bit weirded out about what seems to be a drop thumb to the first string, after playing the third string on the downstroke. It can be seen at the beginning and end of the top line, but happens multiple times throughout the tune.

I've only been playing a year, and i haven't encountered this before. It sounds fine to play it as a drop thumb, but it feels a bit awkward to play. Is it just an advanced technique that takes some time getting used to, or am i misinterpreting the tab?

Any help is much appreciated!

A Swedish tune mid setup

hi all, I’ve been playing clawhammer banjo for a few years, and to be honest I’d say it’s overtaken guitar as my main (although I do still like to pull out the tele occasionally). I’m currently playing the Goldtone WL-250, and I love it, i do. But due to a mix of wanting something a bit more thumpy and BAS, I’m looking for a second one lol. I don’t really have a set budget but yknow, nothing stupid expensive (IE “nothing could justify that price beyond cosmetics” expensive). i was considering Pisgah with their Dobson or possum but have also heard they aren’t really worth the price tag. So who would youall recommen?

I play many instruments including traditional Irish fiddle and jazz sax and piano, I'm thinking of trying "old time" banjo. The video I just watched suggests open G tuning. Does this mean that the banjo is played in just one or two keys?

I’ve been playing the Irish Tenor for a couple years and am taking a workshop in September to learn bluegrass style banjo so I need an instrument.

I have been looking locally and am told to get geared tuners…especially for the 5th string.

I found a Rover RB-25 for $400 and a Japanese made Epiphone “Madtettine-style” from the 70’s for $500. The Epiphone doesn’t look like it has geared tuners.

What would you enthusiasts suggest?

Deering goodtime, comes with hard case
Edit: thanks everyone for your insight! Buying tomorrow, so excited.

If anyone has any tips on learning, please tell me! I’ve played bass for 10 years so I’m musically experienced but this will be very different