A Buyer's Guide: 5 String Banjo VS. 6 String Banjo

When buying a banjo, whether or not to get the 5 or 6 string version is a huge decision. There's a lot of factors here some may not consider. Here, I'll outline the most important factors that should influence your decision.

First, you should realize both are tuned to an open G Major chord. That is, if you play all the open strings it'll be a G major chord. If you want more options when it comes to the bass parts of music, I recommend getting the six string version. The five string version is focused more on the middle and high pitched sections of music, and has the advantage of being more common in recordings. Regardless, having another string on a banjo doesn't make the neck too much bigger. In the future, after you've learned theory, having that extra string will be very helpful. At the same time, having that smaller neck on a 5 string will also be very helpful if you've never played an instrument before. All very important things to consider.

If you've ever played a guitar before and don't know the theory to utilize the banjo in it's standard tuning, you do have the option to get a six string banjo and just tune it like a guitar. However, playing the banjo requires a different approach as far as being creative. That is, just because you play a guitar part on a banjo, it doesn't mean it'll sound like a banjo part. It's important to really listen to records and see how the professionals play banjo. If you're just looking up to open up your tonal palette, you couldn't go wrong with tuning a guitar like a banjo. But if you're looking to actually become a more versatile musician, I suggest actually learning to play the banjo in standard tuning while listening to many records with banjo on them.

Next, if you're looking for a budget banjo then you're pretty much stuck with a five string version. There are many more of these as they are more popular. You can still find cheaper six string models, but they'll be more expensive. Remember, you get what you pay for though. Don't expect to get a premium quality banjo for thirty dollars at the thrift store. I suggest spending at least one hundred dollars to really get the most of your money. The most problematic thing on cheaper banjos is slipping tuners, and these are a pain to fix.

This concludes our 5 vs 6 string banjo guide. There are many things to consider, but hopefully you're more equipped to make the right choice now.