AudioFu

Best Banjos for Folk 2026

Perfect banjos for folk - easy to play and learn on

Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026

PRICE RANGES: Under $200 Under $300 Under $500 Under $800 Under $1,000 Under $2,000 Under $5,000
SKILL LEVELS: For Beginner For Intermediate For Professional For Advanced
GENRES & STYLES: For Bluegrass For Country For Folk For Traditional Music For Celtic For Americana
BRANDS: Gold Tone Deering Harley Benton Ortega Gewa Richwood
Deering Goodtime Special Banjo - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Deering Goodtime Special Banjo

by Deering
Americana Bluegrass Country
Key Feature:
• Essential bluegrass sound
✓ PROS
  • • Cuts through band mix well
  • • Distinctive bright, percussive tone
✗ CONS
  • • Volume may overpower other instruments
  • • Limited tonal versatility

Deering Goodtime Special Deco Banjo5-String BanjoImproved Goodtime Special Tone Ring for a powerfulbright tone with...

⭐ 5.0/5 (6 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 601052
$1,154
Buy at Thomann View Details
Epiphone Mastertone Classic Banjo - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Epiphone Mastertone Classic Banjo

by Epiphone
Americana Country Folk
Key Feature:
• Great for fast picking techniques
✓ PROS
  • • Great for fast picking techniques
  • • Cuts through band mix well
✗ CONS
  • • Limited tonal versatility
  • • Requires specific playing techniques

Epiphone Mastertone Classic Banjo5-String BanjoInspired by Gibson Custom Shop / Modern CollectionResonator: Mahagoni...

⭐ 4.9/5 (23 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 588310
$1,029
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ibanez B300-BK Banjo - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Ibanez B300-BK Banjo

by Ibanez
Bluegrass Americana Celtic
Key Feature:
• Distinctive bright, percussive tone
✓ PROS
  • • Great for fast picking techniques
  • • Traditional American instrument
✗ CONS
  • • Limited tonal versatility
  • • Requires specific playing techniques

Ibanez B300-BK Banjo5-String BanjoBody: WalnutNeck: OkoumeFingerboard: PurpleheartSpecial Acrylic fingerboard...

⭐ 4.8/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 612546
$714
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gewa VGS Banjo Premium 4-saitig - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Gewa VGS Banjo Premium 4-saitig

by Gewa
Folk Americana Bluegrass
Key Feature:
• Cuts through band mix well
✓ PROS
  • • Essential bluegrass sound
  • • Distinctive bright, percussive tone
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit all musical styles
  • • Volume may overpower other instruments

Gewa VGS Banjo Premium 4-saitig4-String Tenor BanjoMahogany shell with 24 tension rodsHead: original Remo-Weatherking...

⭐ 4.6/5 (50 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 558733
$659
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton HBJ-24 Short Scale Teno w/Case - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Harley Benton HBJ-24 Short Scale Teno w/Case

by Harley Benton
Country Folk Celtic
Key Feature:
• Cuts through band mix well
✓ PROS
  • • Essential bluegrass sound
  • • Cuts through band mix well
✗ CONS
  • • Limited tonal versatility
  • • Tuning can be challenging

Harley Benton HBJ-24 Short Scale Teno w/Case*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton HBJ-24 Short Scale Tenor...

⭐ 4.5/5 (25 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 574516
$270
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ortega OBJ750-MA - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Ortega OBJ750-MA

by Ortega
Country Celtic Bluegrass
Key Feature:
• Distinctive bright, percussive tone
✓ PROS
  • • Distinctive bright, percussive tone
  • • Great for fast picking techniques
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit all musical styles
  • • Limited tonal versatility

Ortega OBJ750-MA5-String Banjo3-Ply solid maple bodyFlamed maple resonatorCoated Remo heatHard maple neckRosewood...

⭐ 5.0/5 (5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 610353
$1,209
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ortega OBJ300-WB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Ortega OBJ300-WB

by Ortega
Bluegrass Folk Country
Key Feature:
• Cuts through band mix well
✓ PROS
  • • Distinctive bright, percussive tone
  • • Great for fast picking techniques
✗ CONS
  • • Tuning can be challenging
  • • Volume may overpower other instruments

Ortega OBJ300-WB5-String BanjoBody: Flamed maple / mahoganyNeck: MahoganyFingerboard: RosewoodCoated Remo skinBone...

⭐ 4.7/5 (24 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 557008
$472
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gewa Banjo Select 6-saitig - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Gewa Banjo Select 6-saitig

by Gewa
Folk Celtic Americana
Key Feature:
• Cuts through band mix well
✓ PROS
  • • Great for fast picking techniques
  • • Cuts through band mix well
✗ CONS
  • • Limited tonal versatility
  • • Volume may overpower other instruments

Gewa Banjo Select 6-String6-String Guitar BanjoHead: Original Remo-Weatherking whiteroughenedResonator:...

⭐ 4.9/5 (42 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 558732
$362
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ortega OBJ150OP-WB - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Ortega OBJ150OP-WB

by Ortega
Celtic Americana Folk
Key Feature:
• Essential bluegrass sound
✓ PROS
  • • Cuts through band mix well
  • • Distinctive bright, percussive tone
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit all musical styles
  • • Requires specific playing techniques

Ortega OBJ150OP-WB5-String BanjoConstruction: Open-BackBody: MahoganyNeck: MahoganyFingerboard: RosewoodCoated Remo...

⭐ 4.6/5 (8 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 556981
$292
Buy at Thomann View Details
Epiphone Earl Scruggs Golden Deluxe - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Epiphone Earl Scruggs Golden Deluxe

by Epiphone
Country Celtic Traditional Music
Key Feature:
• Essential bluegrass sound
✓ PROS
  • • Essential bluegrass sound
  • • Distinctive bright, percussive tone
✗ CONS
  • • Tuning can be challenging
  • • Requires specific playing techniques

Epiphone Earl Scruggs Golden Deluxe5-String BanjoInspired by Gibson Custom Shop / Modern CollectionResonator and rim:...

⭐ 4.6/5 (11 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 588318
$1,264
Buy at Thomann View Details
Ortega OBJ950-FMA - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Ortega OBJ950-FMA

by Ortega
Traditional Music Celtic Americana
Key Feature:
• Great for fast picking techniques
✓ PROS
  • • Essential bluegrass sound
  • • Distinctive bright, percussive tone
✗ CONS
  • • Requires specific playing techniques
  • • Limited tonal versatility

Ortega OBJ950-FMA5-String Banjo3-Ply solid maple bodySolid flamed maple resonatorCoated Remo heatHard maple...

⭐ 5.0/5 (19 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 610355
$1,429
Buy at Thomann View Details
Deering Goodtime Two Banjo Lefth. - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Deering Goodtime Two Banjo Lefth.

by Deering
Americana Folk Country
Key Feature:
• Great for fast picking techniques
✓ PROS
  • • Cuts through band mix well
  • • Traditional American instrument
✗ CONS
  • • Volume may overpower other instruments
  • • Tuning can be challenging

Deering Goodtime Two Deco Banjo Lefth., 5-String BanjoWith resonator for a brighter and louder sound. Easy to play with...

⭐ 4.8/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 601042
$824
Buy at Thomann View Details
Harley Benton HBJ-25LH w/Bag - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Harley Benton HBJ-25LH w/Bag

by Harley Benton
Country Celtic Bluegrass
Key Feature:
• Distinctive bright, percussive tone
✓ PROS
  • • Essential bluegrass sound
  • • Distinctive bright, percussive tone
✗ CONS
  • • Volume may overpower other instruments
  • • Limited tonal versatility

Harley Benton HBJ-25LH w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton HBJ-25LH*5-String Banjo*Left-handed modelBluegrass...

⭐ 4.7/5 (4 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 540438
$211
Buy at Thomann View Details
Epiphone Mastertone Bow Tie OB Banjo - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Epiphone Mastertone Bow Tie OB Banjo

by Epiphone
Country Celtic Bluegrass
Key Feature:
• Essential bluegrass sound
✓ PROS
  • • Great for fast picking techniques
  • • Cuts through band mix well
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit all musical styles
  • • Limited tonal versatility

Epiphone Mastertone Bow Tie OB Banjo5-String Openback BanjoInspired by Gibson Custom Shop / Modern CollectionResonator:...

⭐ 4.7/5 (23 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 588317
$879
Buy at Thomann View Details
Gewa VGS Banjo Premium 6-saitig - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Gewa VGS Banjo Premium 6-saitig

by Gewa
Celtic Bluegrass Traditional Music
Key Feature:
• Great for fast picking techniques
✓ PROS
  • • Cuts through band mix well
  • • Great for fast picking techniques
✗ CONS
  • • Volume may overpower other instruments
  • • May not suit all musical styles

Gewa VGS Banjo Premium 6-String6-String Guitar BanjoMahogany shell with 24 tension rodsHead: original Remo-Weatherking...

⭐ 4.5/5 (49 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 558737
$659
Buy at Thomann View Details

How to Choose the Best Banjos

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced banjos typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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