Guitar Guide

Orchestral & Folk Strings Buying Guide

The Case for a Handmade Open-Back Banjo Over a Factory Model

V Rated by Vincent Vandegans · Updated Sep 2026

Open-back banjos serve a different musical world than their resonator cousins — old-time, clawhammer, and frailing styles favor the mellower, more complex voice an open back produces, without the volume and brightness a resonator adds. A handmade open-back from a small-shop builder typically reflects careful attention to rim construction and head selection that mass production skips.

The ten banjos below are real, currently-listed handmade open-back instruments, checked for seller reliability and priced against comparable recent sales.

At a Glance — Our Top Picks

Editor's Top Pick
OME Alpha Open Back 5-String Banjo Natural Satin Finish w/ Gig Bag

OME Alpha Open Back 5-String Banjo Natural Satin Finish w/ Gig Bag

Score 95/100 · $1,695.00 · New

See details ↓
Best New
5 String Banjo w/ Closed Back 24 Brackets Head & Maple Neck

5 String Banjo w/ Closed Back 24 Brackets Head & Maple Neck

Score 95/100 · $99.95 · New

See details ↓
Best Used
Arbor 5-String Closed Back Banjo Polished Brown/Black w/ Bag Strap Book

Arbor 5-String Closed Back Banjo Polished Brown/Black w/ Bag Strap Book

Score 94/100 · $161.00 · Used

See details ↓

Top 10 Orchestral & Folk Stringss on eBay & Amazon

Ranked and rated by Vincent Vandegans — verified you can buy.

1

Rogue 5-String Open Back Banjo Right-Handed Satin Finish Brown

Rating Score: 91/100 · $115.00 Used

Rogue 5-String Open Back Banjo Right-Handed Satin Finish Brown Rogue 5-String Open Back Banjo Right-Handed Satin Finish Brown Rogue 5-String Open Back Banjo Right-Handed Satin Finish Brown Rogue 5-String Open Back Banjo Right-Handed Satin Finish Brown
4 photos
Brand
Rogue
Handedness
Right Handed
Type
5-String Banjo
Number of Strings
5
Body Style
Open Back
String Configuration
5 String
  • •Condition: Used
  • •Seller rating: 100.0% positive (420 ratings)
  • •No returns accepted
Check on eBay Check on Amazon
Customer reviews on eBay ›
2

5-String Open Back Banjo Wood Satin Finish Brown w/ Hard Case & Strap hand made

Rating Score: 90/100 · $1,500.00 Used

5-String Open Back Banjo Wood Satin Finish Brown w/ Hard Case & Strap hand made 5-String Open Back Banjo Wood Satin Finish Brown w/ Hard Case & Strap hand made 5-String Open Back Banjo Wood Satin Finish Brown w/ Hard Case & Strap hand made 5-String Open Back Banjo Wood Satin Finish Brown w/ Hard Case & Strap hand made
4 photos
Top Material
Wood
Number of Strings
5
Color
Brown
Year Manufactured
2020
Set Includes
Hard Case, Strap
Number of Frets
22
  • •Condition: Used
  • •Seller rating: 100.0% positive (315 ratings)
  • •Free shipping
  • •No returns accepted
Check on eBay Check on Amazon
Customer reviews on eBay ›
3

Savannah 5-String Open Back Banjo Polished Brown/White Right Handed Used

Rating Score: 75/100 · $130.00 Used

Savannah 5-String Open Back Banjo Polished Brown/White Right Handed Used
Brand
Savannah
Handedness
Right Handed
Type
5-String Banjo
Number of Strings
5
Body Style
Open Back
String Configuration
5 String
  • •Condition: Used
  • •Seller rating: 100.0% positive (3 ratings)
  • •Free shipping
  • •No returns accepted
Check on eBay Check on Amazon
Customer reviews on eBay ›
4

Arbor 5-String Closed Back Banjo Polished Brown/Black w/ Bag Strap Book

Rating Score: 94/100 · $161.00 Used

Arbor 5-String Closed Back Banjo Polished Brown/Black w/ Bag Strap Book Arbor 5-String Closed Back Banjo Polished Brown/Black w/ Bag Strap Book Arbor 5-String Closed Back Banjo Polished Brown/Black w/ Bag Strap Book Arbor 5-String Closed Back Banjo Polished Brown/Black w/ Bag Strap Book
4 photos
Brand
Arbor
Handedness
Right Handed
Type
5-String Banjo
Body Material
Wood
Number of Strings
5
Body Style
Closed Back
  • •Condition: Used
  • •Seller rating: 100.0% positive (1096 ratings)
  • •Free shipping
  • •No returns accepted
Check on eBay Check on Amazon
Customer reviews on eBay ›
5

Recording King RKOH-06 5-String Open Back Banjo Satin Brown Wood

Rating Score: 81/100 · $373.48 Used

Recording King RKOH-06 5-String Open Back Banjo Satin Brown Wood Recording King RKOH-06 5-String Open Back Banjo Satin Brown Wood Recording King RKOH-06 5-String Open Back Banjo Satin Brown Wood Recording King RKOH-06 5-String Open Back Banjo Satin Brown Wood
4 photos
Brand
Recording King
Type
5-String Banjo
Body Material
Wood
Number of Strings
5
Body Style
Open Back
String Configuration
5-String
  • •Condition: Used
  • •Seller rating: 100.0% positive (20 ratings)
  • •Free shipping
  • •No returns accepted
Check on eBay Check on Amazon
Customer reviews on eBay ›
6

OME Alpha Open Back 5-String Banjo Natural Satin Finish w/ Gig Bag

Rating Score: 95/100 · $1,695.00 New

OME Alpha Open Back 5-String Banjo Natural Satin Finish w/ Gig Bag OME Alpha Open Back 5-String Banjo Natural Satin Finish w/ Gig Bag OME Alpha Open Back 5-String Banjo Natural Satin Finish w/ Gig Bag OME Alpha Open Back 5-String Banjo Natural Satin Finish w/ Gig Bag
4 photos
Number of Strings
5
Color
Natural Satin
MPN
Alpha
Year Manufactured
2026
Set Includes
Gig Bag
Number of Frets
17
  • •Condition: New
  • •Seller rating: 99.8% positive (17494 ratings)
  • •Free shipping
  • •Returns accepted (30 calendar day)
Check on eBay Check on Amazon
Customer reviews on eBay ›
7

Recording King RKOH-05 5-String Open Back Banjo Satin Finish w/ Gig Bag

Rating Score: 87/100 · $240.99 Open box

Recording King RKOH-05 5-String Open Back Banjo Satin Finish w/ Gig Bag Recording King RKOH-05 5-String Open Back Banjo Satin Finish w/ Gig Bag Recording King RKOH-05 5-String Open Back Banjo Satin Finish w/ Gig Bag Recording King RKOH-05 5-String Open Back Banjo Satin Finish w/ Gig Bag
4 photos
Top Material
Plastic
Number of Strings
5
Color
Black, White, Brown
Year Manufactured
2022
MPN
RKOH-05
Set Includes
Gig Bag
  • •Condition: Open box
  • •Seller rating: 100.0% positive (115 ratings)
  • •Free shipping
  • •No returns accepted
Check on eBay Check on Amazon
Customer reviews on eBay ›
8

5 String Banjo w/ Closed Back 24 Brackets Head & Maple Neck

Rating Score: 95/100 · $99.95 New

5 String Banjo w/ Closed Back 24 Brackets Head & Maple Neck 5 String Banjo w/ Closed Back 24 Brackets Head & Maple Neck 5 String Banjo w/ Closed Back 24 Brackets Head & Maple Neck 5 String Banjo w/ Closed Back 24 Brackets Head & Maple Neck
4 photos
Brand
Unbranded
Instrument
Banjo
Number of Strings
5
  • •Condition: New
  • •Seller rating: 99.5% positive (753937 ratings)
  • •eBay Top Rated Seller
  • •Free shipping
  • •Returns accepted (30 calendar day)
Check on eBay Check on Amazon
Customer reviews on eBay ›
9

1800s H. C. Tallmadge 5 string Open back 12" Banjo Very Rare - LOOK

Rating Score: 95/100 · $750.00 Not specified

1800s H. C. Tallmadge 5 string Open back 12" Banjo Very Rare - LOOK 1800s H. C. Tallmadge 5 string Open back 12" Banjo Very Rare - LOOK 1800s H. C. Tallmadge 5 string Open back 12" Banjo Very Rare - LOOK 1800s H. C. Tallmadge 5 string Open back 12" Banjo Very Rare - LOOK
4 photos
Brand
H. C Tallmadge
Banjo Type
5 string
Exact Year
1900
Country of Origin
United States
  • •Condition: Not specified
  • •Seller rating: 99.8% positive (37169 ratings)
  • •Shipping: $45.00
  • •Returns accepted (30 calendar day)
Check on eBay Check on Amazon
Customer reviews on eBay ›
10

Gold Tone AC-1 Composite 5-String Open Back Banjo w/ Gig Bag

Rating Score: 95/100 · $314.99 New

Gold Tone AC-1 Composite 5-String Open Back Banjo w/ Gig Bag Gold Tone AC-1 Composite 5-String Open Back Banjo w/ Gig Bag Gold Tone AC-1 Composite 5-String Open Back Banjo w/ Gig Bag Gold Tone AC-1 Composite 5-String Open Back Banjo w/ Gig Bag
4 photos
Number of Strings
5
Color
Black
Set Includes
Bag
Year Manufactured
2025
MPN
IAC1, AC-1
Brand
Gold Tone
  • •Condition: New
  • •Seller rating: 99.8% positive (17494 ratings)
  • •Free shipping
  • •Returns accepted (30 calendar day)
Check on eBay Check on Amazon
Customer reviews on eBay ›

Buyer's Guide: How to Pick the Best Orchestral & Folk Strings

What distinguishes a handmade open-back banjo worth its premium.

Rim Construction

The wooden rim (pot) is central to an open-back's tone — hand-selected, properly seasoned wood and careful joinery in the rim produce a noticeably richer, more complex voice than mass-produced alternatives.

Scooped Fingerboard

Many clawhammer-style open-backs feature a scooped (recessed) upper fingerboard, giving the right hand room to play over the neck for the style's characteristic technique — check whether this matters for your playing style before buying.

Head Choice for Old-Time Tone

Goatskin or fiber heads are often preferred for old-time playing's warmer, more organic tone compared to the brighter mylar typical on bluegrass instruments — a detail worth understanding even if you ultimately choose differently.

Orchestral & Folk Strings FAQs

Why choose open-back over resonator banjo? +

If you play old-time, clawhammer, or frailing styles, the mellower, quieter voice of an open-back suits the music far better than a resonator's bright projection — it's a genre-appropriate choice, not a lesser one.

Is a handmade open-back worth significantly more than factory? +

For serious old-time players, yes — the rim construction quality genuinely affects tone in ways that matter more on open-backs (which rely more on the rim's natural resonance) than on resonator banjos.

What is a fair price for a handmade open-back banjo? +

Small-shop handmade open-backs typically run $500-$1,500 secondhand depending on the builder's reputation — well below custom resonator banjo pricing, reflecting the style's simpler construction.

Can a resonator banjo be converted to open-back? +

Yes, by simply removing the resonator — many players do this to experiment with both tones on one instrument, though a banjo built from scratch as open-back is usually still voiced somewhat differently.

Top Sellers Rank

Rank Seller Price vs. average Rating
#1 allbuyto -81% vs. avg ★ 5
#2 slappysvintage +39% vs. avg ★ 5
#3 killer_aint_it +215% vs. avg ★ 5

Why Should You Trust Us?

Every banjo here is cross-checked against live eBay listings, with handmade/small-shop construction confirmed from the listing description before inclusion.

Vincent Vandegans

Written by Vincent Vandegans

Vincent has spent years buying, selling, and researching gear across live marketplaces. He personally tests a portion of the products featured on this site — hands-on with the exact model, checking build quality, sound, and feel for himself. For the rest of the lineup, each pick goes through the same in-depth research process rather than being taken at face value from a listing photo.

Follow on X › Connect on LinkedIn ›

How this guide was researched

Hands-on testing, when possible

Whenever Vincent owns or can source the exact model, he tests it directly — evaluating build quality, sound, playability, and how it holds up against the manufacturer claims.

Technical spec sheets, compared side by side

For every other pick, the manufacturer datasheets, manuals, and published specifications are read in full and compared against competing models in the same price range — not just skimmed from a listing summary.

Real owner reviews, mined from blogs and forums

Vincent digs through long-running gear forums, owner blogs, and marketplace review threads to find recurring, repeated feedback from real buyers after months of actual use — not just the top review snippet or a manufacturer-friendly quote.

Live marketplace data, checked at publish time

Price, seller reputation, condition, and availability shown on this site are cross-checked directly against live eBay and Amazon listings, so the ranking reflects what is actually being sold, not a historical average.

This article contains affiliate links.