Free Banjo Buying Guide Written by the Experts at Banjo.com

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New to Banjos? download this guide.

Are you buying your first banjo? We know the selection can be overwhelming and it’s hard to figure out where to even start. That’s why we created the “Beginner Banjo Buying Guide”. In the guide we discuss the key differences between an open back and resonator banjo, why you might want a 5-String banjo or a 6-String, and the basic anatomy of a banjo. Rest assured, we are here to help you decide which banjo is right for you, please don’t hesitate to contact us!

FREE SHIPPING

We offer free shipping to the continental U.S. on orders over $199.

Professional Setup

Every banjo is carefully set up, tuned, and inspected prior to shipping. Your banjo is ready to play when it arrives!

Excellent Support

We are here to help you before and after the sale. Our banjo experts love helping people!

Why we wrote the Banjo Buying Guide for Beginners

If you are completely new to the world of banjos, you’re probably feeling a little overwhelmed by the wide selection of banjos and all the jargon. Your likely thinking, “how do I know which banjo is right for me”.

We decided to put the basic into a guide written for a total newbie. In the guide we talk about the different styles you might want to play, the key differences in banjo anatomy, and, how to get started playing.

Why you’ll mostly see American-made banjos on our website

Easy, American-made banjos are the best in the world. The banjos you’ll find on our website are all very well-built from quality materials. Yes, there are cheaper foreign banjos that you can pick up from major online retailers, but don’t expect it to sound as good as a banjo that was carefully assembled from American maple or walnut by craftsmen who have spent their lives building string instruments. These banjos won’t buzz and won’t break under normal playing conditions. It takes a passionate banjo player to build a good banjo.

We are a small family-owned business in Alabama and we are grateful for our customers. One way we can show our gratitude to the people who have helped our business is through supporting the American economy.

We are banjo experts

Our owner, Barry Waldrep, is a life-long banjo player who has toured with some well-known artists such as the Zac Brown Band and Randy Travis. In addition to taking phone calls from customers, Barry also spends time every day setting up banjos and inspecting banjos before shipping them to their new homes.

So what are the extras I get when I buy a banjo from banjo.com

Unlike the huge retailers, we are know banjos. This means we can offer free banjo setup with every banjo purchase. We’ll set the bridge, set the correct head tension, and tune the banjo before we ship it out. Keep in mind, the manufacturer doesn’t always ship banjos ready to play. If you order from us, your banjo is ready to play as soon as you open the box. We will even spike your banjo if you want.

We also include a free starter pack with a tuner, picks, and a strap. Basically the things you need to start playing immediately.

Very few people can pick up an instrument and be naturally proficient. Most people are going to need a teacher. We partnered with one of the best banjo teachers in the world to record a short video series to help you get started.

Don’t worry about the expensive shipping from a large box, we take care of that. If you live in the continental U.S., your shipping charges are included with your purchase. If your living in Hawaii or Alaska, you’ll pay a shipping fee that’s competitive with other online retailers.

How do I know if I am getting the best deal

We price our banjos at the lowest amount allowed by the manufacturers. If you find a better deal on a new banjo, tell us and we might be able to match it. In addition to paying the lowest price, you’re also getting the free shipping, free starter pack, free lessons, and free professional setup. You’ll also have access to our banjo experts after you buy. We work hard to make sure we are offering the best deal on new banjos.

goodtime by deering banjo beginner starter pack

BEST SELLER

The Goodtime Banjo Beginner Package includes a Goodtime banjo, a TKL gig bag, banjo strap, picks, tuner, and a 7 weeks of video lessons. This package includes everything needed to successfully get started playing the banjo!

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Artisan goodtime

An upgrade to the popular Deering Goodtime series, these banjos feature a rich, dark stain and vintage artisan inlays.

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I would recommend them to anyone and everyone

Fantastic banjos sold by fantastic people. I have bought two banjos from Banjo.com and about to buy my third from them. These guys are just great people to go business with; knowledge, banjo players themselves, and just super nice. I do business with them because they are not just looking to sell my any banjo. They provide great input based upon what I want and need; not just what cost the most. I would recommend them to anyone and everyone interested in getting a banjo.

Eric Reese

Highly recommend them to others

Barry at Banjo.com helped me make a great choice on purchasing a new banjo. He answered my emails and phone calls promptly. After a few conversations I went with his newly designed Bish Line Coal Dust. I ordered it and he kept me updated on its progress. It arrived in perfect condition and it's even nicer than he described. I will keep Banjo.com at the top of my list for any future purchases and would highly recommend them to others. Thank you again to Barry and his staff.

Tim Coyne

I couldn't be more pleased with this lovely instrument and the customer service

I recently purchased a Deering Sierra mahogany open back banjo from Banjo.com. Since I live in north Georgia, only two and one-half hours from the home of Banjo.com, I was able to visit the Banjo Barn where Barry give me the opportunity to "test drive" several banjos and he assisted me in narrowing down to my final choice. I must say, I couldn't be more pleased with this lovely instrument and the customer service I received from Barry and Banjo.com. Thank you!

Sam Gullion

Barry Waldrep
Owner, Banjo.com

The owner of Banjo.com is professional musician Barry Waldrep. Barry has toured professionally for the past 30 years. Raised on traditional Bluegrass, and a forerunner on the Jam Band circuit. He has toured and recorded with many artists such as The Zac Brown Band, Randy Travis, Joey & Rory and also has performed with bluegrass greats like John Cowan, Tony Trischka, Scott Vestal & Tony Rice. Read more.

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