The banjo is a musical instrument that has been around for centuries. It is believed to have originated in Africa and was brought over to the United States by slaves. The banjo is a stringed instrument that has five strings. It is played by strumming the strings with your fingers or a pick. The banjo is a popular instrument for bluegrass and country music.
If you are looking for a quality banjo, it is important to do your research. There are a lot of different banjos on the market and not all of them are created equal.
A good professional banjo can last for many years. It will withstand the test of time and will provide you with hours of enjoyment. A quality banjo can also help you improve your playing skills. It is important to find a banjo that is the right fit for you and that will meet your needs.
10 Best Professional Banjo Reviewed
| Best Professional Banjo | Color | Top Material Type | Back Material Type | Number of Strings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top PickDeering Goodtime 2 Resonator Banjo | Natural | Maple | Maple | 5 |
| Runner-UpLuna Celtic 6-String Banjo | Chrome | Rosewood, Mahogany | Mahogany | 6 |
| Preimum ChoiceDeering Artisan Goodtime II 5-String Resonator Banjo | White | Maple | Maple | 5 |
| 5-String Geared Tunable Banjo | White | Rosewood, Maple, Mahogany | Rosewood, Maple | 5 |
| Pyle 5 String Resonator Banjo | Brown | Sapele | Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene | 5 |
| Gold Tone 5-String Banjo | Gold | Maple | Maple | 5 |
| Oscar Schmidt LEFT HAND 5-String Banjo | Brown | Rosewood, Mahogany | Mahogany, Nato | 5 |
| Ibanez B200 5-String Banjo | Natural | Rosewood, Mahogany, Basswood | Mahogany, Basswood | 5 |
| Vangoa 5 String Banjo | Brown | Walnut, Mahogany | Mahogany | 5 |
| Donner Banjo Full Size 5 String Banjo | Brown | Mahogany | Mahogany | 5 |
1. Deering Goodtime 2 Resonator Banjo – Top Pick
| Top Material Types: | Maple |
| Back Material Type: | Maple |
| Number of Strings: | 5 |
Deering Goodtime 2 Resonator Banjo is a great banjo that is perfect for beginner or intermediate players. With its lightweight and resonator back, the Goodtime 2 projects its sound well making it great for jamming sessions. The 22 nickel-silver frets are easy to reach and the 11″ frosted top high crown head provides a bright, loud tone. Deering is one of the best professional banjo manufacturers. It is a well-known brand for making high-quality banjos and the Goodtime 2 is no exception.
I talked to my instructor and he recommended the Deering brand as top quality, made in California, and the top beginner’s banjo, the Goodtime II. When it arrived from UPS it was incredibly well protected for shipping. It took a while to get the banjo case unpacked. The case is a hard case, very sturdy, yet not heavy. Once released from packing is a very nice-looking blonde banjo. It’s incredibly light for a resonator banjo.
- Beautiful tone and sustain
- Lightweight
- Good price
- Easy to play
- 6-year warranty
- Great for beginners
- Some people may not want a bluegrass sound.
- Some people may not want a resonator banjo.
2. Luna Celtic 6-String Banjo – Runner-Up
| Top Material Types: | Rosewood, Mahogany |
| Back Material Type: | Mahogany |
| Number of Strings: | 6 |
Luna Celtic 6-String Banjo is one of the best professional banjos. With the traditional resonator of a banjo and the standard 25-1/2″ scale of a guitar, the Celtic 6-String Banjo is designed for modern Celtic jams. The attack produced by the transparent head will still whisk you back to pickin’ on grandpa’s porch. For the experimentalists, use a standard EADGBE tuning for a uniquely accented guitar tone, or open tuning for punctuated resonant drones. Features a laser-etched trinity design at the back of the resonator. Case sold separately.
I love this banjo. It has a perfect balance of traditional and modern aspects and the design is lovely! I love the sound that this banjo produces. It’s just enough to fill up a room without being too loud. I’m not sure how well it would sound in a concert hall, but for playing at home and for playing in intimate settings, it’s just perfect.
- Beautiful design
- Easy to tune
- Loud, crisp, and twangy sound
- Great for Celtic jams
- Decorative and functional
- A little difficult to play at first
- Tendency to go out of tune
3. Deering Artisan Goodtime II 5-String Resonator Banjo – Preimum Choice
| Top Material Types: | Maple |
| Back Material Type: | Maple |
| Number of Strings: | 5 |
Deering Artisan Goodtime II 5-String Resonator Banjo is one of the best professional bluegrass banjos. It is Luna’s flagship instrument, featuring six strings, a concert-sized maple neck, and a mahogany resonator. This banjo is built for the professional musician but is also a great choice for a beginner. Deering Artisan Goodtime II 5-String Resonator Banjo has a great sound for a variety of genres, including Celtic, pop, bluegrass, rock, and more.
The Artisan Goodtime II banjo is enhanced with a rich brown stain, white detailing, and spikes at 7, 9, and 10. This allows you to expand your playing from the key of G to the keys of A, B, and C. The banjo is also well-made and has a quality neck and set up. This makes it easy for beginners to learn and for experienced players to play.m arms keep it from getting damaged. It’s a great value, and it’s very well made.
This is a great-sounding banjo with beautiful appointments. I bought it as a gift for my husband, who is a beginning banjo player, and he loves it. It’s well-made and easy to play.
- Resonator back for projection
- 3-ply violin grade maple rim
- Bright and clear tone
- White detailing
- Spikes at 7, 9, and 10
- May be too bright for some players
4. 5-String Geared Tunable Banjo
| Top Material Types: | Rosewood, Maple, Mahogany |
| Back Material Type: | Rosewood, Maple |
| Number of Strings: | 5 |
5-String Geared Tunable Banjo is a pretty nice banjo. It is well made, has a good sound, and is a good value. Out of the box, it needed a bit of tuning, but after a day of playing the banjo was tuned up and sounds great. The geared 5th tuner is a nice feature for anyone who likes to do a bit of bluegrass banjo playing. The neck is mahogany, so the banjo is not a lightweight instrument. But it is good for camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities. If you want a good banjo for light use, this is a good one.
I was looking for a professional banjo with a warm tone that I could use to play some bluegrass and country music. I read the reviews and decided to purchase this one. I am very happy with it. I removed the resonator, tightened the neck, and the nut and the banjo sound awesome. I am very happy with this purchase. I like the geared 5th tuner. The banjo is lightweight and sounds great.
- A good value for the price
- Great for beginners
- Good for bluegrass
- Good for the country
- The geared 5th tuner is a nice feature
- The fingerboard is a little rough
- The tuners don’t do a good job of tuning
5. Pyle 5 String Resonator Banjo
| Top Material Types: | Sapele |
| Back Material Type: | Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene |
| Number of Strings: | 5 |
The Pyle 5 String Resonator Banjo is one of the most affordable professional banjos that is a great banjo for beginners. It comes with everything you need to get started, including a tuner, spare strings, and three-finger picks. The banjo is made of high-quality materials, including a sapele wood resonator, maplewood bridge stand, and truss rod adjustment tool. It is also adjustable to meet different needs. The Pyle 5 String Resonator Banjo is a great choice for beginners and is an excellent value for the price.
I wanted a banjo to play in church and this is a very nice starter instrument. The quality of the sound is good and the tuning is stable. It’s a great starter banjo and the price is right. The only thing I would like is a gig bag that is a little bigger so I can carry it in the car or on my bike.
- The price is unbeatable
- The quality and the sound are great
- The strings are excellent
- The case is very well made and will protect it from damage
- It is very easy to tune
- It’s not the most durable banjo out there.
6. Gold Tone 5-String Banjo
| Top Material Types: | Maple |
| Back Material Type: | Maple |
| Number of Strings: | 5 |
The Gold Tone CC-Carlin 5-String Banjo has a rolled brass tone ring and fingerboard scoop for a more traditional sound. The neck is made of maple and has a maple fretboard. It includes a hardshell case.
This banjo has a unique, small body and long neck. It is also small in price, but it doesn’t sound small. It is bright, crisp, and just plain fun to play. I have a Gold Tone banjo ukulele, which has a similar body, and it sounds outstanding. I’ve had the CC-Carlin for a few months and I’m very happy with it. I get compliments all the time. The scooped fingerboard takes getting used to, but it helps you learn to grab a more accurate position on the string. It is a great tool for beginners.
- Clawhammer.
- Quality.
- Fingerboard scoop.
- Included bag.
- Price.
- No strap.
- No armrest.
7. Oscar Schmidt LEFT HAND 5-String Banjo
| Top Material Types: | Rosewood, Mahogany |
| Back Material Type: | Mahogany, Nato |
| Number of Strings: | 5 |
Oscar Schmidt LEFT HAND 5-String Banjo is a great choice for anyone looking for an affordable and high-quality instrument. This model is exclusive to Total Music Source, and it offers a great playing experience with its 30 brackets cast aluminum tone ring and mahogany resonator. It also features a Remo head, gloss finish, and geared 5th string tuner.
I ordered the LEFT HAND 5-String Banjo for Christmas. This is a beautiful instrument. I have only been playing for a few months and this banjo is perfect for him. It sounds great, looks great, and is easy to learn. I would highly recommend this banjo to anyone.
- Nice sound
- Good price
- Nice wood
- Geared 5th string tuner
- No strap
- No case
8. Ibanez B200 5-String Banjo
| Top Material Types: | Rosewood, Mahogany, Basswood |
| Back Material Type: | Mahogany, Basswood |
| Number of Strings: | 5 |
The Ibanez B200 is a decent beginner’s banjo. It is good quality, but it is a good value. The tone and volume of this banjo are average. There are nicer sounding and quieter banjos out there. The reason this one is nice is its price. For a reasonable price, you get a decent instrument. It is not the best, but it is not the worst. All in all, the Ibanez B200 is a good banjo to learn.
It sounds fuller and more resonant, but only as good as you play it. It is super easy to play and the tuning stays in tune long enough for me to get a couple of hours of practice in. It has a nice action and the tone is amazing. I don’t understand the bad reviews on this banjo because I think it is great. If you’ve been playing for a while and have the money to spend, then, by all means, spend it on a better one. But if you’re a beginner and want to learn on a quality banjo that won’t break the bank, this is perfect.
- Low cost
- Good beginner instrument
- Good sound
- Easy to play
- Poor quality
Ibanez B200 Banjo Review & Buyer’s Guide
The importance of a good banjo for a collector will depend on the collector’s interests. For example, a collector who is interested in traditional bluegrass …
9. Vangoa 5 String Banjo
| Top Material Types: | Walnut, Mahogany |
| Back Material Type: | Mahogany |
| Number of Strings: | 5 |
The Vangoa 5 String Banjo is a great starter banjo for beginners of any age! It is easy to tune and the adjustable string height makes it perfect for children and adults alike. The banjo has a bright, beautiful sound that is perfect for beginners. The mahogany neck and sides and back are durable and won’t warp or corrode and the banjo has a smooth decent touch. The kit comes with a bag, guitar tuner, strap, pick up, strings, picks, and the best part is that it is all at a cost-effective price. The only downside is that the banjo is a little high-pitched.
I had limited space and also wanted a banjo I could travel with. This banjo has met all of my expectations. Great sound and tone. I have since upgraded to a more expensive banjo but I will keep this one for travel.
- It is easy to tune.
- It has nice bright paint and is glossy.
- It is made of mahogany, which is a durable wood.
- It is a good starter banjo for a child.
- The spacing of the strings might be too close together for a child’s fingers.
10. Donner Banjo Full Size 5 String Banjo
| Top Material Types: | Mahogany |
| Back Material Type: | Mahogany |
| Number of Strings: | 5 |
The Donner Banjo Full Size 5 String Banjo is a great beginner instrument. The mahogany neck, sides, and back are durable and have beautiful wood grain. The 24 high-quality brackets stabilize the drumhead, resulting in a crisp sound. The high gloss finish is smooth and shiny, and the gig bag, tuner, strings, strap, and picks are included. The only thing to note is that the banjolele needs to be tuned properly when it is first set up. Overall, the Donner Banjo Full Size 5 String Banjo is a great value for the price.
I have been playing it for 2 days, and it sounds very good. It is pretty easy to tune, and it sounds good even when you play with only the thinnest string. I played a few songs so far, and it sounds great. I think the build quality is decent, and it is pretty lightweight. It is also very affordable. I like that it comes with a gig bag and a strap.
- The drumhead is a Remo Drumhead, which is the drumhead supplier.
- The mahogany neck, sides, and back make the banjo durable.
- The 24 brackets stabilize the drumhead and give a crisp sound.
- The high gloss finish is smooth and comfortable.
- The users need to spend some time tuning the drumhead initially.
Professional Banjo Buyer’s Guide
What Is a Professional Banjo?
A professional banjo is a type of banjo that is designed to have a longer-lasting and more durable finish. The professional finish on the banjo means that it will stay looking newer for longer and it is more resistant to damage. The professional finish on the banjo also means that it will be easier to clean and will stay looking newer for longer. When you buy a professional banjo, you are not only getting a more durable banjo, but you are also getting a banjo that is easier to maintain.
When you buy a professional banjo, you are getting a banjo that is designed to last and is designed to stay looking new for longer. A professional banjo is not only stronger, but it is also easier to maintain.
How to Pick a Professional Banjo?
Types of Banjos
There are a few different types of banjos that you can choose from. The most common type is the five-string banjo, which is the type that is typically used in bluegrass and country music. There is also a four-string banjo, which is typically used in jazz music, and a six-string banjo, which is typically used in rock music.
Sound
When it comes to choosing a professional banjo sound, there are a few things you will want to keep in mind. First, you will want to decide what style of banjo sound you are looking for. Are you looking for a traditional bluegrass sound, or are you looking for something a little more modern? Once you have decided on the style of banjo sound you are looking for, you will want to find a company that specializes in that style of banjo sound.
Size
Another thing that you should consider when buying a banjo is the size. Banjos come in a variety of sizes, and you should choose the size that is best for you. If you are a beginner, you may want to choose a smaller banjo, such as a four-string banjo, which is easier to play. If you are an experienced player, you may want to choose a larger banjo, such as a five-string banjo, which has a bigger sound.
Material
You should think about the material the banjo is made from. It is better to purchase a banjo that is made from the best material. You want to make sure that the material used to make the banjo is durable and sturdy.
Frets
If you are a beginner, you will have to play the banjo which has a large number of frets. If you are a professional musician, then you will have to purchase a banjo that has a large number of frets too.
Color
Some people do not think that the banjo’s color is an important factor, but it actually is. The color of the banjo will depend on your personal choice, but some colors can be better for certain types of a banjo.
Weight
Weighing the banjo will help you determine if it is the right one for you or not. You will want to make sure that the banjo is not too heavy to carry around.
Brand
You need to purchase a banjo that has a brand that you can trust. You want to make sure that the banjo is made with the best quality materials by a reputable brand.
Professional Banjo FAQ
What’s The Difference Between Beginner, Intermediate & Professional Banjos?
When you are first starting out playing the banjo, you will want to purchase a beginner banjo. These instruments are typically less expensive and have fewer features than intermediate or professional banjos.
Beginner banjos are typically smaller in size, which makes them easier to hold and play. They also have fewer strings, which makes them easier to tune.
As you become more experienced, you may want to purchase an intermediate or professional banjo. These instruments are typically more expensive and have more features than beginner banjos. Intermediate and professional banjos are typically larger in size, which gives you more sound options. They also have more strings, which gives you more notes to play with.
What’s the Professional Banjo Price?
Banjos can range in price from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand dollars. If you are a beginner, you may want to choose a less expensive banjo, such as a four-string banjo. If you are an experienced player, you may want to choose a more expensive banjo, such as a five-string banjo.
Conclusion
A good professional banjo is important for a number of reasons. First, a good professional banjo can provide the player with a rich, full sound that is perfect for a wide range of genres. Second, a good professional banjo can be customized to fit the player’s individual needs, ensuring that the player has the perfect instrument for their playing style. Third, a good professional banjo can last for many years, providing the player with a high-quality instrument that they can rely on. Finally, a good professional banjo can be expensive, but it is often worth the investment for serious banjo players.
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