Banjos are fun and straightforward instruments to play, providing access to many musical styles. But before purchasing one of your own, there are some things you should keep in mind before purchasing your banjo.
One of the primary considerations when purchasing used instruments is to ensure it has been appropriately set up for you. Luckily, most used instruments can easily be adjusted.
Shop Around
There are various kinds of banjos on the market, and each serves a unique purpose and style of music.
Five-String Banjos – By far, this type of banjo is the most widely used one and ideal for Bluegrass and Folk Music performances. However, other varieties do exist and include
Resonators are components located at the back of a banjo that reflect sound to increase loudness and prominence of its instrument, especially if played as part of a band setting.
While most banjos feature resonators, there are some models known as open-back banjos which do not. These less expensive options can often provide similar performance as their counterparts equipped with resonators.
Check For Dents
As part of your Banjo Purchase search process, it is vital that you check the condition of each instrument to assess if its worth the listed price.
Unkempt banjos tend to exhibit signs of wear. While not an immediate deal breaker, any imperfections could impact its value and price.
An effective way to identify dents is with a PDR (Paint Damage Repair) tool, equipped with measurement features that enable technicians to inspect damage and provide estimates of repair costs.
Small dents can often be repaired quickly with mobile dent specialists; however, larger ones require a visit to an auto body shop as these must be carefully assessed to ascertain if damage exceeds their elastic limit and require repainting.
Check For Frets
Frets are essential components of the sound of any banjo. They determine note pitches and volume levels while simultaneously contributing to overall instrument tone.
Banjo frets typically consist of nickel-silver alloy or stainless steel frets, the latter being much harder and therefore likely to outlive its counterpart over time and won’t need replacing as often.
When purchasing a new banjo for sale, be sure to inspect its frets to ensure they are in good condition. If they look worn, they may require being re-fretted or having level and crown procedures performed on them.
Check For Other Issues
One of the best things you can do when purchasing a banjo is shop around for deals. Not only can this ensure you find an instrument with quality construction that can stand the test of time, but shopping can help ensure you make an informed decision and purchase.
If you’re trying to save some cash, eBay and Craigslist can be great places to do just that. Just remember that buying used instruments may involve risk since you won’t get what looks like brand new instruments. When hunting down deals online be sure to examine every banjo closely because a damaged neck or worn finish could drastically decrease its price tag.
Keep a record of the features of the banjo that you find important, such as:
