From time to time I notice that some banjos are referred to as being a "Pro" banjo.  I am relatively new to tenor banjo and was wondering what the exact differences are between a pro banjo and a regular banjo. Are only certain model banjos considered pro, or is it something in the construction of the particular banjo that makes it a pro,- ie- a certain type of tone ring?  My 19 fret tenor banjo is a 1930s May Bell - Slingerland and I'm sure that the model I have was not one of their highest end ones. It does seem to be very sufficient for my needs right now but if someday I want to move up to a Pro level banjo I'd like to know what one consists of.

Thanks,

Bob 

You have opened up a can of worms on this one.

You have a banjo you find works for you. If you play it professionally, would it not then be a professional banjo. Enjoy it and be proud to play it, and it will not let you down. Go out to some music stores and play different brands and lines of banjos and see what works for you. Don't get caught up in the this one is better than that one. This is why there are hundreds of models out there, because no one banjo is everyone's cup of tea.

If you find one you think is right, read the reviews here. Call the manufacturer and talk to them about it. You might find another banjo, or you might find you have the best already.

No matter what, enjoy the journey.

This is my humble opinion.

I just had a drunken conversation about this with a friend earlier this evening after a gig. He was talking about an old Kay guitar that a local guitar shop has for sale for something like $1200, which seems absurd to me, but undoubtedly someone will buy it. A couple friends that are professional musicians play old budget entry-level instruments; Kay and Slingerland guitars, and a few friends that play cheapo Chinese bottlecap banjos. They all play music for a living and make those instruments sound like a million bucks, even though the necks are bent or the bodies are made of some sort of crumbling old wood composite.

That all speaks to the existential side of the argument... The practical side of the argument is usually 'pro' banjos will probably feature nicer cuts of solid tonewoods, and upgraded hardware; i.e. tuning machines, nuts, inlay, etc.

Well put haildixon.

i have a1965 vega pro II plectrum banjo it is heavy. about the same as my morgan muroe cascade. i dont have a simalar banjo to com pare it with. iknow that it has a special tone ring but all said and done it has a nice tone and its is very loud

A professional instrument will have the strength and sturdiness needed for a "pro-life" - meaning that the player will never to have a spare at hand when gigging, recording, practicing or just playing for fun.

And - it will have a fantastic playability, sound, projection and power as needed for ALL situations and environments.

Plus - for an ambitious player it will always be better than the player him-/herself - no matter how much he/she improves his/her skills, the instrument will have some more "tricks" to come up with.

Extra plus - it will be unconditionally always be loved by its player/owner.

These are the basic qualities, that IMHO describes a pro-instrument.

Polle 

I think the difference is in response and playability: touch, tone, volume tied to an aesthetically-pleasing appearance and design, and fit, finish and sturdiness. Pros are usually willing to pay more for quality. The devil is in the details. There are a lot of visually-appealing banjos that mimic the "real thing," but there is usually something lacking in the fine points. It's like the difference in hand tools: for someone who doesn't make a living with tools, any wrench set will probably do. If you depend on your tools every day, quality finish, comfort, durability are important.

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Originally posted by beegee

I think the difference is in response and playability: touch, tone, volume tied to an aesthetically-pleasing appearance and design, and fit, finish and sturdiness. Pros are usually willing to pay more for quality. The devil is in the details. There are a lot of visually-appealing banjos that mimic the "real thing," but there is usually something lacking in the fine points. It's like the difference in hand tools: for someone who doesn't make a living with tools, any wrench set will probably do. If you depend on your tools every day, quality finish, comfort, durability are important.

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I think so, too.  Occasionally a non-pro is willing to pay more as well.

Edited by - asmcsgac on 02/22/2012 03:31:34

The biggest difference is the player.  The instrument is just a tool acted upon by hands and minds and experience, skill and practice.  The pro can make even a mediocre instrument sound like gold.

But of course pros don't go on stage or into the studio with mediocre instruments.  They can pay for top-of-the-line axes with all the trimmings, and they can pay very skilled people to do frequent maintenance.

That being said, Gillian Welch plays with a 1925 Vega Whyte Laydie.  Many amateurs probably have just this banjo or something very similar, and none of them sound like Welch.  Even given the presence of a quality instrument and the variable of frequent skilled maintenance nothing is going to elevate someone to pro status except for a combination of talent, skill, practice and luck. The difference between pro and non-pro banjos is more the PRO, less the BANJO!

$2000.

or more.

The amount of inlay and gold plating imo (especially when talking tenor banjo).

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Originally posted by Corwyn

$2000.

 

or more.

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 If you are looking for a decent vintage banjo in the States, with the economy, you can find top level banjos (i.e. the low end of each brand's professional banjo by their reckoning) in the $900 range unless you are looking at a Gibson.  You are more likely to find a good individual instrument for $1200 for a Paramount, Vega, B&D and maybe $1600-$1800 for an Epiphone.  A good modern banjo will cost more.

For less than the price of a decent shotgun you can find some very good instruments.  You best bet is still to find a reliable dealer, pay the premium, and get a well setup  good playing instrument that will suit your needs.  In this case you are getting closer to $2000.

Mike Keyes

Thanks everyone,

A lot of information provided on what constitutes a Pro banjo. 

Now......is there a semi-pro level also?  

I agree that if the instrument is a decent grade, you often can make it your favorite player. For example, when I was playing bluegrass I had multiple Mastertones which sounded pretty standard, but I always gravitated back to a Vega Wonder that I had modified and tinkered with for years. It just sounded and played better IMO. A plus was that it was light an easy on the shoulderand back after a long three sets. For outdoors gigs I often used it with a Barcus Berry pickup which didn't change the tone. I wouldn't consider a Vega Wonder a "professional" instrument but this one did the trick and lasted. I think it's pictured in one of my ptofile pics.

Phil

A "pro banjo" is the one the one the instrument shop has difficulty selling.

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Originally posted by Ok City Bob

Thanks everyone,

A lot of information provided on what constitutes a Pro banjo. 

Now......is there a semi-pro level also?  

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Yup.

That's when a truck driver has a Mastertone inside the cab of his Peterbilt.