Many beginners don’t know the difference between a good banjo and a bad banjo. Even more so, they don’t know the definition of a clawhammer banjo. I’ve been into banjo playing for years and have tested dozens of instruments. I’ve also talked to my friends who play clawhammer style and gotten their opinions on some models. I’m willing to share my experiences with you to help you avoid mistakes. I hope this article will help you in choosing the best clawhammer banjo.
10 Best Clawhammer Banjos Reviewed
In this section, you will find an overview of the most popular banjos in different price ranges. These options are suitable for both beginners and professionals.
- Kmise 5-String Banjo: Best Clawhammer Banjo Overall
- Deering Artisan Goodtime: Best Clawhammer Banjo for Comfort
- Lotmusic Banjo Ukulele: Best Clawhammer Banjo for Budget
- Aklot 5-String Banjo: Best Clawhammer Banjo With Open Back
- Deering Goodtime Banjo: Best Clawhammer Banjo for Design
- Gold Tone: Best Lightweight Clawhammer Banjo
- Morgan Monroe: Best Open-Back Clawhammer Banjo
- Recording King: Best Clawhammer Banjo With Scooped Fretboard
- Costzon 6-String Banjo: Best Clawhammer Banjo Starter Kit
- Deering Goodtime 5-String: Most Durable Clawhammer Banjo
1. Kmise 5-String Banjo: Best Clawhammer Banjo Overall
| Top Material Type: | Rosewood, Okoume |
| Back Material Type: | Sapele |
| Number of Strings: | 5 |
| String Material Type: | Nylon |
This is the Kmise banjo model without the resonator. Its drum is made of high-quality materials for a pleasant sound. Eighteen brackets secure the construction of the instrument, and phosphor bronze strings give a bright sound.
I gave this banjo to a friend of mine for his birthday. He couldn’t resist and started playing it the same day. The instrument produces a quality sound thanks to the phosphorite bronze strings and the open back. If one taps the drum while playing, it enriches the sound.
In my opinion, this is a quality banjo for its price. Everything is designed down to the smallest detail. For example, not all budget banjo models have an armrest. Since this is a starter set, it comes with useful plushies for a comfortable start to the game.
In addition, the banjo is equipped with an extra screw on the drum to tension the strings. There are even more opportunities to experiment with the sound.
The Kmise brand strives to make the world a happier and more musical place. They make quality musical instruments that everyone can afford to learn to play.
- Good value
- Great vintage look
- Top-notch sound
- None
2. Deering Artisan Goodtime: Best Clawhammer Banjo for Comfort
| Top Material Type: | Maple |
| Back Material Type: | Maple |
| Number of Strings: | 5 |
| String Material Type: | Nickle |
The new banjo from the famous brand embodies the idea of the company owner to always strive for perfection. The instrument has an open resonator, which is ideal for playing clawhammer.
An acquaintance of mine bought this banjo for himself. It exceeded all expectations in appearance and sound quality. The sound of every note is bright and clear. The fingerboard is pleasant to the touch and allows fingers to glide comfortably. That is excellent value for the money.
The advantage of this banjo is the quality of the materials. It is also comfortable and lightweight. It freely fits into any interior or travels with its owner.
Compared to other models of this brand of banjo, the Artisan Goodtime features special metal spikes for the fifth string and planetary picks for additional tuning.
Dearing is a 271-year-old family business. Each of their instruments is as if endowed with a soul. Each hand-built banjo not only provides a terrific playing experience but also gives a piece of the warmth of the amazing Dearing family.
- Great look
- Affordable
- Easy to play
- Good sound
- A factory bridge could have been better
3. Lotmusic Banjo Ukulele: Best Clawhammer Banjo for Budget
| Top Material Type: | Okoume, Sapele |
| Back Material Type: | Sapele |
| Number of Strings: | 4 |
This open-resonator banjo is made of high-quality Sapele material. The Remo Drum leather on the drum provides a deep, bright tone. It’s great for playing jazz, folk, and 20’s music.
My acquaintance has been playing guitar for years but decided to try something new and purchased this banjolele. He spoke of it as a decent instrument for the money. The banjolele is compact, lightweight, and comfortable to hold. The only thing was that the frets seemed a little rough, but he fixed that with ease.
That is a budget banjolele of quality build. A plus is the presence of a buried chrome tuner with a reducer, which allows you to tune the banjo more stably and accurately. There is a starter kit for tuning as well.
The instrument is equipped with an improved double-sided anchor rod. It allows you to define the distance between the fingerboard and the strings.
Lotmusic has been around since 2012. It produces a quality inexpensive product and is constantly improving it to give even more opportunities to its fans to create quality music.
- Outstanding sound
- Double-sided anchor rod
- Small weight
- No assembly manual is included
4. Aklot 5-String Banjo: Best Clawhammer Banjo With Open Back
| Top Material Type: | Maple |
| Back Material Type: | Maple |
| Number of Strings: | 5 |
This five-string banjo made of a solid maple body with a leather drum provides a bright clean sound and excellent string vibration. The open back is perfect for playing the clawhammer.
A friend of mine plays ukulele but decided to indulge in an upgrade and purchased this banjo. It is somewhat heavier than the ukulele, but it is comfortable to hold. This banjo sounds as expensive as it looks. It was fairly easy to tune, but you have to give the strings some time before they settle in and hold the tuning.
In my opinion, this budget version of the banjo is worth a look. The instrument is well assembled, and the starter kit will help you tune the instrument properly.
This banjo gives even more options for tuning and experimenting with the sound. In addition to the double-sided anchor rod, you can also adjust the brackets around the drum.
The Aklot brand has been making ukuleles since 2012. The company strives to give musicians as many opportunities to play quality music as possible. That’s why the Aklot team is boldly experimenting with materials and instrument designs, expanding the space for imagination.
- Good value
- Great look
- Exquisite sound
- Strings have to settle first
5. Deering Goodtime Banjo: Best Clawhammer Banjo for Design
| Top Material Type: | Top frosted mylar |
| Back Material Type: | Open-back |
| Number of Strings: | 5 |
| String Material Type: | Alloy Steel |
This elegant banjo is made of natural light maple, and the metal elements are nickel-plated. This open-back banjo is lightweight. It is comfortable to hold and carry. You can play your favorite clawhammer music anywhere: at home, on a visit, in the mountains, etc.
In my music hangout, I met a guy who recently bought this instrument. It was his first banjo, so he took a long time to choose and trusted the aptly named Deering. He said the banjo sounded great and was nice to the touch.
The banjo from Deering has been well-established for a long time. It suits beginners as it has two important parameters. The tuning is good, and the thin fingerboard is comfortable to hold in inexperienced hands. However, it’s not a starter kit, so a beginner has to buy all the necessary tools for tuning on their own.
Deering usually needs no introduction. It has long established itself on the American market as a reliable manufacturer of musical instruments and accessories for beginners and professionals.
- Solid quality
- Aesthetic look
- Good sound
- Expensive for beginners
- No starter kit
6. Gold Tone: Best Lightweight Clawhammer Banjo
| Top Material Type: | Mahogany |
| Back Material Type: | Mahogany |
| Number of Strings: | 5 |
| String Material Type: | Nickel |
It is a five-string banjo with an open back. The mahogany in combination with the composite rim provides a good sound.
A colleague of mine bought this model for his son. The implication was that he would take this instrument on weekend trips and evening outings with friends. This banjo is lightweight and easy to transport. Despite the low cost, it sounds good and holds its line. The instrument completely lived up to its budget and was even better.
The composite material used to make this budget version of the banjo is also used in more expensive models. This banjo doesn’t have any outstanding advantages, but what makes it stand out from the other models is its portability.
The company Gold Tone creates different instruments, so everyone can realize their musical ideas. At the same time, it provides good quality at an affordable price.
- The case is included
- Remarkable value
- Easy to use
- Not a very distinct sound
7. Morgan Monroe: Best Open-Back Clawhammer Banjo
| Top Material Type: | Rosewood, Maple |
| Back Material Type: | Maple, Rosewood |
| Number of Strings: | 5 |
That is an open-back banjo with a maple fingerboard and composite rim. The 18 brackets secure the construction and allow the banjo to sound good.
A friend of mine needed a budget banjo that he could take with him on a hike in the mountains. As expected, this is a fairly simple banjo that is comfortable to take with you. As far as sound quality goes, for a banjo for the money, it is excellent.
This banjo is pretty easy to tune, and it is great for beginners who are unsure of their skills. The Morgan Monroe line of acoustic instruments is recognized by beginners and experienced musicians for its solid quality and affordable prices.
- Great look
- Good value
- Easy to use
- Not a very pronounced sound
8. Recording King: Best Clawhammer Banjo With Scooped Fretboard
| Top Material Type: | Rosewood, Maple, Ebony |
| Back Material Type: | Maple |
| Number of Strings: | 5 |
This banjo is specially designed to be played in the clawhammer style. The Remo Plastic, Pesto String Holder, and fingerboard overlays allow for a distinctive clawhammer sound.
A friend of mine is a fan of the clawhammer style. He purchased this banjo and commented that it was pretty well-built and sounded great. This instrument cannot be called a simple beginner banjo, as its quality and price are much higher than the basic models.
This banjo looks great, and fans of the old banjos of the last century will love it as this instrument recreates the ancient style. The anchor rod allows you to adjust the fingerboard. The downside might be that there is no way to attach a strap. If a beginner has not learned how to hold a banjo without extra help, this can be a significant disadvantage.
The brand originated in the 1930s. Each model retains the cultural heritage of Golden Age music. The company strives to create instruments of such quality that they last a long time and can be passed down from generation to generation.
- Great look
- Anchor rod
- Easy to use
- No way to attach a strap
9. Costzon 6-String Banjo: Best Clawhammer Banjo Starter Kit
| Top Material Type: | Maple, Sapele |
| Back Material Type: | Maple, Nato, Sapele |
| Number of Strings: | 6 |
| String Material Type: | Nylon |
This is a banjo for those who love the sound of the clawhammer style but are open to experimentation. The presence of a sixth string allows you to embellish the sound. The combination of Remo leather and Sapele material allows you to get a quality professional sound. The banjo is sold with a beginner’s starter kit.
My friend’s wife wanted to learn how to play a six-string banjo. After many reviews, he chose this model. The starter kit made the instrument easy to tune. This banjo can be either an open or closed resonator. Its anchor rod allows the fingerboard to be adjusted. So Jennifer started experimenting with the settings to get the perfect sound. This is a great option for a beginner who is still finding their style.
The good thing about this budget version of the banjo is that it does not limit the musician in the settings. Usually, these affordable options have more modest functionality.
- Great look
- Good value
- Easy to tune
- There might be some cosmetic flaws from the manufacturer
10. Deering Goodtime 5-String: Most Durable Clawhammer Banjo
| Top Material Type: | Maple, Ebony |
| Back Material Type: | Maple |
| Number of Strings: | 5 |
This banjo is a more budget-friendly member of the Deering family. This instrument provides excellent musical tone, good quality, durability, and ease of playing.
My friend Michelle decided to learn how to play the banjo and took a long time to choose an instrument. She was bribed by the reviews of the Deering manufacturer’s reliability, but their pricing policy wasn’t quite right for beginners. This banjo is very comfortable to play, there is nothing superfluous. Although it’s not a starter set, it does come with a tuner to tune the strings. This is a great bonus for the beginner.
This is a quality-built banjo, with an open back for a brighter sound. The quality of the fingerboard allows your fingers to glide gently, and your hands don’t get tired from playing. The only downside might be that the beginner will have to buy extra strings, picks, and so on by themselves.
Deering is a symbol of reliability and high quality in America. Many newcomers playing on budget versions of banjos dream that they will get a luxury banjo from a famous company in time.
- Eye-catchy look
- Durable built
- Good value
- Easy to tune
- Somewhat pricey
Clawhammer Banjo Buyer’s Guide
There are many romantics among banjo fans who are attracted to old-time music with African roots. The clawhammer style requires a banjo with certain parameters. In this section, I want to share my recommendations on how to choose the best frailing banjo.
What is a clawhammer banjo?
Do you know the answer to: “When was the clawhammer invented?” This game technique was given to the world by African slaves in the 17th century when the slave trade flourished. The clawhammer banjo is a style of playing used by Africans on their musical instrument. A traditional clawhammer banjo has five strings and an open back. It has a deeper and sharper sound than other banjos.
They use the surface of the fingernail of the subjacent or middle finger to play. The thumb always clings to the upper string. Hence, the name of the style is when you hold your hand in the shape of a claw and strike the strings like a hammer.
Clawhammer banjo buying guide
There is no perfect universal clawhammer banjo. They all have some features in common but can have different characteristics. Understanding which banjo is best for you is only a matter of practice. But I wanted to give some recommendations. What you should pay attention to when buying a quality instrument?
- The material of the rim. The banjo will sound good if the rim is made of natural wood. Usually, maple is used for clawhammer banjos. A good rim thickness is three to five layers. This will ensure structural strength, good sound, and optimum weight.
- The material of the fingerboard and the banjo itself. Maple wood is a classic for clawhammer banjos. It is durable and allows a banjo to sound great. Some manufacturers use mahogany. It gives a slightly different tone to the sound. It’s not a bad option. It’s more a question of personal preference.
- The bridge. This part has a lot to do with the sound, so it’s important to make sure you get a good-quality wood bridge. The good news is that if you are not happy with the bridge, it will be easy to replace it.
- Sticks. They hold the tuning of the strings, so it is important to pay attention to their quality.
These are the basics that you should check before you buy any banjo. You might also be wondering what size the banjo should be. The answer here is that it depends on your personal preference and where you are going to use it: At home or, for example, to take it with you on trips. Either way, you have to be comfortable holding the banjo in your hands. When choosing a banjo, run your hand over it. If the surface is smooth and nothing scratches your fingers, you have a good instrument in your hands. Sometimes, there are minor rough edges, which can usually be easily removed.
How to play clawhammer banjo
“How to play clawhammer style banjo?” is the most popular question among those wishing to master the banjo. Learn the proper algorithm:
- First, you need to learn how to keep your hand in the right position. It must be relaxed. It is not true to think that a strong hand makes the strings sound. On the contrary, you control the hand, and your fingers hit the strings by inertia.
- So, the right hand is placed along the strings. The hand form resembles a claw. The thumb always rests on the fifth string, and the index or middle finger strikes the strings. Which finger to use is also a matter of personal preference. If you are just mastering the clawhammer style, you can practice both options to choose the most comfortable one. You can find information for beginning clawhammer banjo to see more clearly what it looks like.
FAQ on Clawhammer Banjos
I traditionally answer the most popular questions. This additional information should be helpful to you.
What is the difference between a clawhammer and a bluegrass banjo?
The difference between these styles is that the clawhammer uses the thumb and index or middle finger. Bluegrass uses three fingers: thumb, index finger, and middle finger. Bluegrass is usually played with special metal plectrums.
Is clawhammer banjo easier?
It is considered easier to master this style because it is basic. If you learn to play the clawhammer, all the following techniques will be much easier to master, similar to riding a bicycle. If you learn how to ride it, you’ll get on a motorcycle, and so on.
Buying a new or used clawhammer banjo?
It depends on your preferences. Of course, it’s better to buy a new instrument because it has a warranty. A new banjo doesn’t mean an expensive banjo. But if you like musical instruments with history, why not?
It Is Time to Buy a Clawhammer Banjo!
You have learned what the basic characteristics of a clawhammer banjo are. I hope I was able to help you with this article, and choosing the perfect banjo doesn’t seem so difficult anymore. The main thing is to take your time and give yourself time to understand and consider several options. I wish you success in your clawhammer banjo story!
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