With that said let’s dive in and learn all about Irish banjos! Finally, if money is no object, then you should consider Deering Goodtime’s 17 Fret Banjo. The Sierra 17-fret tenor has our professional -06- bronze tone ring and you get all the most important features that affect the tone and playability at an economical price. And yes, it's her real name :-), 8 Banjo Rolls to Take Your Playing to the Next Level, Banjo Chords Charts in Open G Tuning (gDGBD), 12 Easy Banjo Songs to Learn if You’re Just Starting Out. Irish players tend to use both 11” and 12” open-back and resonator models while Jazz players tend to prefer 11” resonator banjos. Comes setup – This saves you a lot of time and money initially. If you’re shopping on a tight budget then go for Trinity River’s TRT-B1. Irish Tenor banjos have the shorter 17 fret neck for a brighter, snappier sound. The standard tenor banjo tuning is exactly the same as the viola and the Irish tenor banjo tuning is exactly the same as a violin/mandolin, but an octave below. Tenor banjos are also commonly played in traditional New Orleans jazz. Irish Tenor Banjos for Improvers and Professionals We stock the world’s highest quality tenor banjos including Irish tenor 17 fret and 19 fret models from Deering, The John Carty OME tenor banjo, Prucha Mastertones, Nechville, Clareen Irish Banjos made in Galway, Ireland and Tanglewood Deering makes the finest 17-fret and 19-fret tenor banjos today. The tenor banjo first gained popularity in jazz. 3. Tenor banjos are 4 string banjos that are traditionally tuned in 5ths (C,G,D,A - standard tuning, G,D,A,E - Irish tuning). Note: The links above take you to more information, current prices, and customer reviews on Amazon. Among the many types of banjos, tenors are the perfect choice for anybody looking to start playing an instrument without previous experience, which is why they’re also ideal for beginners. 19 frets, nato resonator, Remo head, open tuners and a custom fit gig bag. There are dedicated string sets for the specific type of banjo you are using (5 string, tenor, plectrum, 6 string, banjo uke, etc. But, interestingly, they’ve also included a rosewood fretboard, so you get a nice touch of warmth alongside all those bright highs. With a body made from a gourd, the banjo was first reported in 1620 by the captain of a ship on the Gambia River. Overall, there’s no correct choice; it rather depends on how much you’re looking to spend and what style you want to play. The lightweight composite rim is a nice feature that provides a tone like no other banjo at or near this price point. Other parts of the “pot”. In terms of playability, the blackwood fingerboard feels very smooth, like ebony, so you’ll have no problem sliding up and down the frets. This model produces a lovely bright twang thanks to its maple neck, making it perfect for folk music. Resonator vs. Open-back. Our Gear Advisers are available With its classic twang, the banjo has an instantly recognizable sound. This thing even arrives at your door with a professional set up so you won’t be needing to spend any extra cash getting it adjusted in a music shop. They are usually played with a flat pick, and so are often also called a "Plectrum" banjo. There’s also a coated, plastic Remo head which adds a little extra depth to your tone. Musicians Friend, Gear Buying With its lightweight composite rim, its slim, comfortable mahogany neck and the gorgeous rosewood fingerboard, its a superb tenor at a decent price. This moderately-priced tenor has a host of professional features that you’d normally pay a lot more for. Remo head – This gives the instrument a little more beef and depth of tone. Tonewood – The AC-4 features a quality blackwood fingerboard, which is smooth on fingertips. Gold Tone AC-4IT Left-Handed Composite 4-String Openback... Gold Tone AC-4 Left-Handed Composite 4-String Openback... Gold Tone Cripple Creek Irish Tenor Banjo with Resonator, Gold Tone IT-250 4-String Irish Tenor Open Back Banjo, Gold Tone 4-String Irish Tenor Openback Banjo with 17 Frets. Categories, More Ways to About 00. No frills, but a real solid instrument. In regards to tone, this thing has an 11” smooth Remo head, so it’ll bring plenty of bright highs into your mix. There’s a composite rim designed to provide a little extra snap, which compliments the bite from the mylar head nicely. Koda 17 Fret Tenor Banjo The Koda is a resonator banjo which boasts 30 tension hooks to hold the head tightly giving an excellent traditional tone. Under $200, with free shipping. 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