Hi, I have searched the Internet for a beginners banjo and got totally lost. I am new to this but after playing the trianglefor 40 years I have decided to give the banjo a go, I am looking at a 5 string bluegrass banjo with a resonator, if that helps. Cam anyone advise on a good beginners banjo. I don't want to buy cheap and nasty and regret it the next day, just something to play, practice and get used to. Thanks in advance.

The Recording King RK -35 and soon to be released RK- 36 are two of the best values around today for a inexpensive banjo that sounds great. If you want to spend a little more the RK-80 is great and the RK Elite-75 (my banjo) is fantastic. The 35 runs about $800, the 36 is said to be $900, the 80 runs about $1300 and the 75 is $14-1500.

White Mountain Banjo has a website.  They are in Tempe AZ and make really good banjos under 1000 with internal resonators, and then have what they call an RB-20 for around 2200 with a full resonator.  These guys make good stuff and price it very reasonably.  I have played them and know them.  I can attest to their workmanship and character.  They are dedicated.  American made and proud of it.  They were recently invited to display some of their work at the Musical Instrument Museum in Phoenix, and those banjos will be there for a year.  A testimonial to what they do.  This is by invitation only at the museum.  Worth a call.  Ron Grimsley and Mark Hickler.

Alabama Banjos are reasonable and play well at about $375 in Canada, not sure if they are available in UK.  They are similar to the Goodtime which usually cost more.

I have tried this model and liked it for the money.

http://alabama-music.com/?p=65

I haven't found a good source of Recording King  banjos in the UK, but Thomann online stock them.  I have bought other instruments and accessories from Thomann and had no  problems with them, but I have never had to return an item so I'm not sure how that would work out.

Here's a link to the RK 35 on their site

http://www.thomann.de/gb/recording_king_rk_r35_br.htm

Contact Helix here on the hangout! He will custom build one for u and his prices are VERY good!

Melvyn,  If you are looking for a Bluegrass banjo, I would also recommend the RK-35.  A lot of the pro banjo players are using them as second banjos, they are a great banjo for the price..

STELLING MAN

Hey Melvyn, I just purchased my first banjo and after spending a lot of time here on the hangout and talking with Jimmy Cox (who lives in my neighborhood here in Topsham, Maine) I purchased the RK-35. Of course, my longer term plan is to pick up one of Jimmy's "Carolina" instruments (sweet!) but for now I'm going to make sure I can even make my fingers work properly :) By the way, I found the RK-35 on sale at Banjo Hut for $699 US. They have an on-line presence as well as their retail store in Knoxville.  Perhaps they sell internationally...worth a try!

Edited by - oldscouter on 02/07/2012 05:20:49

Folks, the OP is in the UK.  Advising him on American sources might not be particularly helpful to him.

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Originally posted by eagleisland

Folks, the OP is in the UK.  Advising him on American sources might not be particularly helpful to him.

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You are right.  That's why I suggested Thomann who ship to the UK and it's not far from Germany (nearer than the US anyway!)  I have bought other stuff from them, though not banjos.

Trevor (UK)

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Originally posted by TrevorB

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Originally posted by eagleisland

Folks, the OP is in the UK.  Advising him on American sources might not be particularly helpful to him.

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You are right.  That's why I suggested Thomann who ship to the UK and it's not far from Germany (nearer than the US anyway!)  I have bought other stuff from them, though not banjos.

Trevor (UK)

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Yeah, Trevor, I saw that - the comment was really aimed at some of my fellow 'mericans.