Best Banjos for Folk 2026
Perfect banjos for folk - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 21, 2026 • Next update: January 28, 2026
#1
⭐
4.6/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Gold Tone AC-1LN Openback Long Neck 5Str
by
Gold Tone
Bluegrass
Americana
Traditional Music
Key Feature:
• Cuts through band mix well
✓ PROS
- • Essential bluegrass sound
- • Traditional American instrument
✗ CONS
- • Requires specific playing techniques
- • May not suit all musical styles
Gold Tone AC-1LN Openback Long Neck 5Str5-String BanjoNeck: NatoFingerboard: RosewoodRim: CompositeHead: 11" Remo...
⭐
4.6/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 564936
$428
#2
⭐
4.7/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Ibanez B50
by
Ibanez
Bluegrass
Country
Celtic
Key Feature:
• Essential bluegrass sound
✓ PROS
- • Traditional American instrument
- • Cuts through band mix well
✗ CONS
- • Volume may overpower other instruments
- • Requires specific playing techniques
Ibanez B505-String Resonator BanjoBody: MahoganyTop: Remo Weatherking Banjo Head (whiteplastic)Neck:...
⭐
4.7/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 617269
$406
#3
⭐
5.0/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
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
#4
⭐
4.7/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Gold Tone AC-1FL Open Back Fretless
by
Gold Tone
Bluegrass
Celtic
Traditional Music
Key Feature:
• Distinctive bright, percussive tone
✓ PROS
- • Traditional American instrument
- • Great for fast picking techniques
✗ CONS
- • May not suit all musical styles
- • Limited tonal versatility
Gold Tone AC-1FL Open Back Fretless5-String Fretless BanjoNeck: OkoumeFingerboard: RosewoodDot and stars fingerboard...
⭐
4.7/5
(38 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 580026
$439
#5
⭐
4.8/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Gewa VGS Banjo Select 5-saitig
by
Gewa
Celtic
Country
Bluegrass
Key Feature:
• Great for fast picking techniques
✓ PROS
- • Traditional American instrument
- • Distinctive bright, percussive tone
✗ CONS
- • Limited tonal versatility
- • Tuning can be challenging
Gewa VGS Banjo Select 5-String5-String BanjoMahogany shellHead: Original Remo-Weatherking whiteroughenedResonator:...
⭐
4.8/5
(19 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 558731
$406
#6
⭐
4.8/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Ortega OBJ850-MA
by
Ortega
Traditional Music
Country
Americana
Key Feature:
• Distinctive bright, percussive tone
✓ PROS
- • Essential bluegrass sound
- • Traditional American instrument
✗ CONS
- • Volume may overpower other instruments
- • Tuning can be challenging
Ortega OBJ850-MA5-String Banjo3-ply solid maple bodyFlamed maple resonatorWeather King Clear Remo headHard maple...
⭐
4.8/5
(43 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 610341
$1,428
#7
⭐
4.5/5
(49 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
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
#8
⭐
4.7/5
(23 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
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
#9
⭐
4.5/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Gewa VGS Banjo Premium 5-saitig
by
Gewa
Traditional Music
Celtic
Americana
Key Feature:
• Great for fast picking techniques
✓ PROS
- • Distinctive bright, percussive tone
- • Great for fast picking techniques
✗ CONS
- • Volume may overpower other instruments
- • Tuning can be challenging
Gewa VGS Banjo Premium 5-String5-String BanjoMahogany shell with 24 tension rodsHead: original Remo-Weatherking...
⭐
4.5/5
(20 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 558735
$527
#10
⭐
4.9/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
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
#11
⭐
5.0/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
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
#12
⭐
5.0/5
(5 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
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
#13
⭐
4.8/5
(9 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
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
#14
⭐
5.0/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Ortega OBJ550W-SNT
by
Ortega
Traditional Music
Bluegrass
Celtic
Key Feature:
• Great for fast picking techniques
✓ PROS
- • Cuts through band mix well
- • Distinctive bright, percussive tone
✗ CONS
- • May not suit all musical styles
- • Requires specific playing techniques
Ortega OBJ550W-SNT5-String Bluegrass BanjoBody made of walnutWalnut neckRosewood fingerboardRemo Renaissance headBrass...
⭐
5.0/5
(18 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 610302
$781
#15
⭐
4.6/5
(8 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
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
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.
