Guitar Guide

Orchestral & Folk Strings Buying Guide

What Bluegrass Players Actually Check Before Buying a Resonator Banjo

V Rated by Vincent Vandegans · Updated Sep 2026

A resonator banjo is the definitive bluegrass sound — the closed back projects sound forward and adds volume and brightness that cuts through a full string band, which is exactly why Scruggs-style three-finger pickers need one rather than an open-back model. The details that separate a good one from a great one are mostly in the tone ring and head tension, not the flashy resonator itself.

The ten banjos below are real, currently-listed professional resonator bluegrass banjos, checked for seller reliability and priced against comparable recent sales.

At a Glance — Our Top Picks

Editor's Top Pick
Seville 5-String Closed Back Resonator Banjo! VERY NICE!!!

Seville 5-String Closed Back Resonator Banjo! VERY NICE!!!

Score 95/100 · $199.00 · Used

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Best New
Gold Tone Model BG-MINI Bluegrass Child or Travel Size Pro Grade Resonator Banjo

Gold Tone Model BG-MINI Bluegrass Child or Travel Size Pro Grade Resonator Banjo

Score 95/100 · $799.99 · New

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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

Seville 5-String Closed Back Resonator Banjo! VERY NICE!!!

Rating Score: 95/100 · $199.00 Used

Seville 5-String Closed Back Resonator Banjo! VERY NICE!!! Seville 5-String Closed Back Resonator Banjo! VERY NICE!!! Seville 5-String Closed Back Resonator Banjo! VERY NICE!!! Seville 5-String Closed Back Resonator Banjo! VERY NICE!!!
4 photos
Number of Strings
5
Number of Frets
22
Brand
Seville
Handedness
Right Handed
Type
5-String Banjo
Body Style
Closed Back
  • •Condition: Used
  • •Seller rating: 99.8% positive (16690 ratings)
  • •Shipping: $99.88
  • •Returns accepted (30 calendar day)
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2

2005 Crafters of Tennessee Maple Classic 5 String Banjo Curly Maple Flathead USA

Rating Score: 91/100 · $3,249.99 Used

2005 Crafters of Tennessee Maple Classic 5 String Banjo Curly Maple Flathead USA 2005 Crafters of Tennessee Maple Classic 5 String Banjo Curly Maple Flathead USA 2005 Crafters of Tennessee Maple Classic 5 String Banjo Curly Maple Flathead USA 2005 Crafters of Tennessee Maple Classic 5 String Banjo Curly Maple Flathead USA
4 photos
Top Material
Maple
Number of Strings
5
Color
Sunburst
Neck Material
Maple
MPN
TBC-MP
Year Manufactured
2005
  • •Condition: Used
  • •Seller rating: 94.1% positive (4091 ratings)
  • •Free shipping
  • •Returns accepted (30 calendar day)
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3

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
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4

Flinthill FHB55 Resonator Banjo 5 Strings No Case Will Package Well- NICE!

Rating Score: 92/100 · $355.00 Used

Flinthill FHB55 Resonator Banjo 5 Strings No Case Will Package Well- NICE! Flinthill FHB55 Resonator Banjo 5 Strings No Case Will Package Well- NICE! Flinthill FHB55 Resonator Banjo 5 Strings No Case Will Package Well- NICE! Flinthill FHB55 Resonator Banjo 5 Strings No Case Will Package Well- NICE!
4 photos
Brand
Flinthill
Type
Resonator banjo
String Configuration
5 String
Model
FHB55
  • •Condition: Used
  • •Seller rating: 100.0% positive (523 ratings)
  • •Free shipping
  • •No returns accepted
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5

R.W. Jameson 5-String Banjo

Rating Score: 87/100 · $145.00 Used

R.W. Jameson 5-String Banjo R.W. Jameson 5-String Banjo R.W. Jameson 5-String Banjo R.W. Jameson 5-String Banjo
4 photos
Brand
R. W. Jameson
Handedness
Right Handed
Type
5-String Banjo
Instrument
Banjo
  • •Condition: Used
  • •Seller rating: 97.3% positive (190 ratings)
  • •No returns accepted
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6

Gold Tone Model BG-MINI Bluegrass Child or Travel Size Pro Grade Resonator Banjo

Rating Score: 95/100 · $799.99 New

Gold Tone Model BG-MINI Bluegrass Child or Travel Size Pro Grade Resonator Banjo Gold Tone Model BG-MINI Bluegrass Child or Travel Size Pro Grade Resonator Banjo Gold Tone Model BG-MINI Bluegrass Child or Travel Size Pro Grade Resonator Banjo
3 photos
Brand
Gold Tone
MPN
BG-MINI
Model
BG-MINI
Type
Acoustic
Instrument
Banjo
UPC
875116006969
  • •Condition: New
  • •Seller rating: 99.9% positive (111076 ratings)
  • •Free shipping
  • •Returns accepted (30 calendar day)
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7

Pro Quality 5-String Banjo for Ragtime or Bluegrass NEW

Rating Score: 95/100 · $149.99 New

Pro Quality 5-String Banjo for Ragtime or Bluegrass NEW Pro Quality 5-String Banjo for Ragtime or Bluegrass NEW Pro Quality 5-String Banjo for Ragtime or Bluegrass NEW Pro Quality 5-String Banjo for Ragtime or Bluegrass NEW
4 photos
MPN
D01027RML86
Brand
inQ
Default
default title
  • •Condition: New
  • •Seller rating: 99.5% positive (21293 ratings)
  • •Free shipping
  • •Returns accepted (30 calendar day)
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8

Gold Tone Professional Bluegrass Banjo Wide Fingerboard Vintage Walnut

Rating Score: 95/100 · $1,399.99 New

Gold Tone Professional Bluegrass Banjo Wide Fingerboard Vintage Walnut Gold Tone Professional Bluegrass Banjo Wide Fingerboard Vintage Walnut Gold Tone Professional Bluegrass Banjo Wide Fingerboard Vintage Walnut Gold Tone Professional Bluegrass Banjo Wide Fingerboard Vintage Walnut
4 photos
Brand
Gold Tone
Color
Vintage Walnut
MPN
OB-150WF
Model
OB-150WF
Style 1
Vintage Walnut
UPC
875116007119
  • •Condition: New
  • •Seller rating: 99.8% positive (453443 ratings)
  • •Free shipping
  • •Returns accepted (30 calendar day)
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9

Gold Tone OB-250AT Professional Archtop Bluegrass Banjo - Open Box

Rating Score: 95/100 · $1,649.99 Open box

Gold Tone OB-250AT Professional Archtop Bluegrass Banjo - Open Box Gold Tone OB-250AT Professional Archtop Bluegrass Banjo - Open Box Gold Tone OB-250AT Professional Archtop Bluegrass Banjo - Open Box Gold Tone OB-250AT Professional Archtop Bluegrass Banjo - Open Box
4 photos
Brand
Gold Tone
Instrument
Banjo
MPN
OB-250AT
UPC
875116000042
  • •Condition: Open box
  • •Seller rating: 99.8% positive (291289 ratings)
  • •Free shipping
  • •Returns accepted (30 calendar day)
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10

Stagg Deluxe 5 String Bluegrass Banjo W/Resonator & 30 Bracket Hooks #BJM30DL

Rating Score: 95/100 · $329.95 New

Stagg Deluxe 5 String Bluegrass Banjo W/Resonator & 30 Bracket Hooks #BJM30DL Stagg Deluxe 5 String Bluegrass Banjo W/Resonator & 30 Bracket Hooks #BJM30DL Stagg Deluxe 5 String Bluegrass Banjo W/Resonator & 30 Bracket Hooks #BJM30DL Stagg Deluxe 5 String Bluegrass Banjo W/Resonator & 30 Bracket Hooks #BJM30DL
4 photos
Brand
Stagg
MPN
BJM30DL
Model
BJM30DL
Instrument
Banjo
UPC
882030150012
  • •Condition: New
  • •Seller rating: 99.9% positive (111076 ratings)
  • •Free shipping
  • •Returns accepted (30 calendar day)
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Buyer's Guide: How to Pick the Best Orchestral & Folk Strings

What actually drives tone and playability on a resonator banjo.

Tone Ring Material

Bell bronze and brass tone rings each give a distinct character — bronze tends toward a warmer, more complex voice, brass toward brighter and more direct. This single component affects tone more than almost any other spec on the instrument.

Head Tension and Material

A properly tensioned, quality head (frosted mylar is standard for bluegrass) is essential for the bright, snappy attack the style demands — an under-tensioned head sounds noticeably duller regardless of how good the rest of the banjo is.

Neck Comfort for Three-Finger Style

Scruggs-style picking puts specific demands on neck feel and fret access — try to confirm the neck profile suits fast three-finger rolls if that's your primary style, since preferences vary more than on other instruments.

Orchestral & Folk Strings FAQs

Do I need a resonator banjo specifically for bluegrass? +

Yes, essentially — the closed-back resonator design is what gives bluegrass banjo its characteristic loud, bright, cutting tone; an open-back model has a mellower voice suited to old-time/clawhammer style instead.

How much does tone ring material actually matter? +

Significantly — it's one of the most audible differences between banjo tiers, and experienced players can often identify tone ring type by ear alone. Worth prioritizing over cosmetic features when comparing instruments.

What should I check on a used resonator banjo? +

Head condition and tension (a head that's lost tension is an easy, cheap fix but affects the sound you'll hear when evaluating), neck straightness, and that the resonator is securely and properly mounted.

Is a secondhand resonator banjo a good value compared to new? +

Often yes — banjos are durable instruments that don't degrade the way some wood instruments can, and a well-maintained used professional model frequently outperforms a new budget instrument at the same price.

Top Sellers Rank

Rank Seller Price vs. average Rating
#1 musiciansfriend +66% vs. avg ★ 5
#2 proaudiostar +95% vs. avg ★ 5
#3 butlermusic -5% vs. avg ★ 5

Why Should You Trust Us?

Every banjo here is cross-checked against live eBay listings, with tone ring material and resonator 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.

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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.

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