5-String Banjo 24 Bracket with Closed Solid Back and Geared 5th Tuner
Purchase options and add-ons
Brand | Jameson Guitars |
Color | Brown |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 3.5 x 13.5 x 39 inches |
Top Material Type | Mahogany |
Back Material Type | Mahogany |
String Material Type | Alloy Steel |
Finish Type | Polished |
Instrument | Guitar, Banjo |
Item Weight | 5.9 Pounds |
Operation Mode | acoustic |
About this item
- Includes padded gig bag: Included with this 5-string banjo is a deluxe 15mm padded gig bag for secure carrying and storage. In addition, this guitar case is designed with a front pocket, backpack shoulder straps, and a carrying handle.
- Premium craftsmanship: Crafted from the finest woods, with a 5-ply maple and mahogany shell, mahogany neck, closed back mahogany resonator, as well as a purpleheart fretboard, this beautiful 5-string banjo from Jameson is exceptional.
- High-quality design: Jameson's banjo features a Remo Weatherking drum head, a 5/8-inch maple ebony bridge, a chrome plated armrest, an adjustable tailpiece, and truss rod. Also, designed with a removable resonator allowing you to play the banjo both open and closed back.
- Geared 5th tuner: As a 5-string banjo, this model features a 5th geared tuner side peg. This is a beneficial enhancement over the more typical friction tuners, allowing for better control of your instrument’s sound.
- Beautiful tone: The design behind this banjo and the chosen materials enable it to produce an eloquent, rich tone. It offers distinctive and beautiful sound characteristics, perfect for playing bluegrass, clawhammer, folk, country, and rock tunes.
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This Item Jameson Guitars 5-String Banjo 24 Bracket with Closed Solid Back and Geared 5th Tuner | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
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Price | $153.99$153.99 | $99.99$99.99 | $159.99$159.99 | $159.99$159.99 | $219.99$219.99 | $149.99$149.99 |
Delivery | Get it Mar 26 - 28 | Get it as soon as Monday, Mar 25 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Mar 26 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Mar 26 | Get it as soon as Monday, Mar 25 | Get it as soon as Monday, Mar 25 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
For beginners | 4.7 | 3.3 | 4.2 | 4.6 | 3.9 | 4.1 |
Value for money | 4.6 | 3.5 | 4.1 | 4.5 | 3.9 | 4.2 |
Craftsmanship | 4.2 | 3.6 | 4.0 | 4.1 | 3.2 | 4.0 |
Sold By | Mix Wholesale | Mulucky music | Mulucky music | Mulucky music | ADM business | Mulucky music |
instrument | Banjo, Guitar | Banjo | Banjo | Banjo | Banjo | Banjo |
size | — | B806 | MB803 | MB1101 | Large-Blueburst | — |
number of strings | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
operation mode | acoustic | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual | Manual |
top material | Mahogany | Maple, Sapele, Ebony | Nato | Maple | Walnut, Sapele | Mahogany |
back material | Mahogany | Maple, Nato, Sapele, Wood, Ebony | Composite | Maple | Sapele | Mahogany |
string material | Alloy Steel | Alloy Steel | — | Alloy Steel | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
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Product information
Item Weight | 5.9 pounds |
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Product Dimensions | 3.5 x 13.5 x 39 inches |
Country of Origin | China |
ASIN | B0033P1O6S |
Item model number | BJ05RHBANJO |
Customer Reviews |
4.6 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #10,824 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments) #10 in Banjos (Musical Instruments) |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | January 11, 2010 |
Back Material | Mahogany |
Body Material | Mahogany |
Color Name | Brown |
Fretboard Material | Hardwood |
String Material | Alloy Steel |
Top Material | Mahogany |
Neck Material Type | Mahogany |
Number of Strings | 5 |
Guitar Bridge System | Fixed |
Material Type | Wood |
Musical Style | bluesgrass, country |
Proficiency Level | All |
Warranty & Support
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Best bang for your buck banjo! Here is my REVIEW
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Customer Review: Beautiful banjo with a faulty sound
Chris
Product Description
The banjo is known for its iconic, classically Americana sound, producing rich melodies and songs that instantly transport the listener to fields of Kentucky bluegrass. For a student, beginning musician, an intermediate banjo player, or even an advanced musician, this is an excellent banjo to strum on. This beautiful, well-crafted 5-string banjo from Jameson Guitars is a must-have for anyone interested in playing folk, country, clawhammer, bluegrass, and similar eclectic types of rock music. It is a stunning, 5-string banjo with 24 chrome-plated brackets. It features a closed solid back mahogany resonator and is crafted with a 5-ply maple and mahogany shell and mahogany neck. Additionally, it has a 5/8-inch maple ebony bridge and a purpleheart fretboard, which add to its pleasant acoustic sound and tone. It has a top-quality Remo head, an adjustable truss rod, a chrome armrest, and a hinged tailpiece. A geared 5th tuner side peg is an added benefit, offering an upgrade over standard banjos that only have four and use friction tuners. Included with the banjo is a deluxe 15mm gig bag to keep your instrument safe when carrying or in transport. It is designed with a carry handle, backpack shoulder straps, and a storage pocket for added convenience.
From the manufacturer
Jameson 5 String Banjo
Start Playing Right Away
Whether you are a working pro, a hobbyist, weekend-warrior, doing home recordings or just starting out, this Jameson banjo will be a cherished addition to any musical instrument collection. Countless hours of enjoyment are ahead when you own this R.W. Jameson banjo.
- Makes the ultimate gift for the musician who has 'almost' everything!
Jameson 5 String Banjo
With Geared 5th Tuner!
This full scale 5 string banjo from Jameson Guitars has all the features you''d expect on a much more expensive banjo. This impressive looking banjo plays great and sounds even better. Whether you're a seasoned musician or just starting out, this banjo will be a perfect addition to any collection.
The Jameson features a geared 5th string tuner. This is very important for both tuning and play-ability.
This banjo brings you all the classic tones of a traditional 5 string banjo.
- 24 Brackets
- Geared 5 Tuner
- Bound Closed Back
- Maple Bridge
- Right Handed
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Geared 5th TunerA feature usually found only on more expensive banjos, this geared 5th tuner is an important upgrade over the common friction tuner. |
PerformanceFeatures 24 brackets, a maple bridge, an adjustable hinged tailpiece and a chrome plated arm rest. Not only does the Jameson banjo sound great, it looks great too! |
QualityA mahogany resonator and neck with a 7 ply maple & mahogany shell and a stunning high-gloss finish. All the features you would expect (and more) at a great price |
Endless FunYears of musical fun will be yours when you start playing this banjo. Perfect for anyone who has always wanted to learn to play this iconic instrument. Value and quality in every Jameson instrument. |
Right Hand 5 String (this listing) | Left Hand 5 String | Right Hand 6 String | Left Hand 6 String | |
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Customer Reviews |
4.6 out of 5 stars
1,590
|
4.4 out of 5 stars
105
|
4.4 out of 5 stars
299
|
4.0 out of 5 stars
41
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Number Of Strings | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
Dexterity | Right | Left | Right | Left |
Style | Traditional | Traditional | Banjo-Guitar | Banjo-Guitar |
Manufacturer | R.W. Jameson | R.W. Jameson | R.W. Jameson | R.W. Jameson |
R.W. Jameson Fine Instruments
Dedicated to providing performance and value in stringed instruments, Jameson Guitars is a family run company committed to providing quality instruments for players of all abilities and ages. Whether your a pro, a weekend warrior a hobbyist or just starting out, Jameson will have the perfect instrument to meet your needs at a great price.
Musical instruments and the musicians who play them are at the heart of the passion of Jameson Guitars and quality musical instruments are the only thing Jameson makes.
Jameson 5 String Banjo
Quality, Value and Performance
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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the ease of use, value, sound quality and quality of the banjo. They mention that it's easy to play right out of the box, has a pleasant sound and is a great beginner-intermediate instrument. Some appreciate the performance, tuning, and ease of assembly. Opinions are mixed on the strings.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the quality of the banjo. They say it is a beautiful piece of workmanship, well-crafted, and durable. They also say it makes a pleasant, sharp banjo racket. Customers also mention that the resonator looks great and is substantial.
"...It doesn't look or feel like a cheap instrument. It's substantial with a nice finish, classy enough to leave out in my living room as part of a..." Read more
"...It is a beautiful piece of workmanship, really attractive and nicely put together, and it sounds great...." Read more
"...The resonator also looks great, and seems to be a wood veneer over a wood composite, and as a result feels pretty light (perhaps a minus for some)...." Read more
"...It just doesn't need a tone ring. It makes a pleasant, sharp banjo racket as is. If you understand the limitations, this may we be just the thing...." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the sound quality of the banjo. They mention that it sounds great, has good intonation up the neck, and has a lovely, loud, ringing sound. The strings sound fluid and they give off a nice bright, rich sound. Additionally, the instrument has resonator back, which is a bonus. Overall, customers are happy with the quality and value of this banjo, which can lighten the mood and put a smile on anyone's face.
"...I can say that the RK, which includes a tone ring, has a lovely, loud, ringing sound, with a richness the Jameson lacks...." Read more
"...Note that this instrument has a (removable) resonator back, which is a bonus in this price range, since a resonator back usually hikes up the price...." Read more
"...So either way, clawhammer or bluegrass style, this banjo sounds great.So there it is. This banjo is simply great for the price...." Read more
"...High-quality look (beautiful polished wood back and neck)* Good sound* Holds tuning well*..." Read more
Customers are satisfied with the value of the banjo. They mention it's a beautiful instrument for the price, and is cheapishly replaceable.
"...But I still think this banjo is a great deal for the price, and having two banjos rules, so even after upgrading I plan to get good use out of it." Read more
"...It is an excellent value for a really fine instrument. Five stars without any reservations!" Read more
"...So there it is. This banjo is simply great for the price. I'll post some pictures to illustrate some of the points I made in the review." Read more
"...So great if you just want a cheap, light, one around. I'm practicing my Scruggs rolls, and no problem...." Read more
Customers find the banjo easy to play right out of the box. They also say it's a great beginner-intermediate instrument, good to learn on, and straightforward to learn basic skills. Customers also say the bano is simple with nothing confusing.
"...Another nice bonus is that Jameson provides free basic lessons on their website ([...], which links to [...])...." Read more
"...It just doesn't need a tone ring. It makes a pleasant, sharp banjo racket as is. If you understand the limitations, this may we be just the thing...." Read more
"...I found it straightforward to learn basic skills with my guitar background..." Read more
"...So, this one is good to learn on, but if you have a chance to play a really good banjo, that may spoil ya...." Read more
Customers like the tuning of the banjo. They say it stays in tune better than many other instruments, and that it holds the tune well. Some say that it is easy to tune and that the strings stay close to in tune.
"...It has a nice sound and seems to stay in tune well. It doesn't look or feel like a cheap instrument...." Read more
"...It even included a tuning and chord chart...." Read more
"...But after an initial "break in" period, it seems to hold tune well. Intonation up the neck is good as well...." Read more
"...It stays in tune and plays & sounds as well as it looks...." Read more
Customers like the performance of the banjo. They say it plays well, sounds good, and everything operates properly. Some mention that the 5th string tuner works well and is geared, while the functional tuners are still doing well. Overall, most are satisfied with the performance and quality of the product.
"...The geared fifth string works well and I am glad to have it, having dealt with friction tuners in the past...." Read more
"...In summary, I now have a working banjo that plays well. I'm still very much a beginner and it'll take time to learn how to play bluegrass-style...." Read more
"...WOOD resonator. Decent (not amazing, but functional) tuners, though I could already see that IF I like this banjo, this will be among the first/only..." Read more
"...the banjo, and I've learned quite a bit on it, but the faults are making it so much harder than it should be - and are bad enough that I'm returning..." Read more
Customers find the stringed instruments easy to assemble. They mention that it comes set up well, with instructions and necessary tools. Some mention that the banjo was already set up.
"Banjo arrived well packed, with instructions and necessary tools. Once tuned up, it sounds like a banjo should...." Read more
"...This banjo arrived pretty much set up perfectly except for tuning, which I did not expect anyway...." Read more
"...dented or crushed & the contents inside were foam packed & taped in place very well. Then I took my banjo out & could n`t believe it. Wow!..." Read more
"...The best surprise that I encountered was finding out that the banjo was already set up!..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the strings. Some mention that the strings are OK, hold tune well enough, and feel alive. Others say that the 5th string is geared not tension, and slips sometimes.
"...The tuners aren't great, but they are mostly holding - the 5th string slips sometimes...." Read more
"...5-stringed..." Read more
"...The strings being out of tune was not an issue, because brand-new strings need breaking in anyway, before they'll more or less stay in tune...." Read more
"...The bridge was aligned, intonation good, string height good, a very playable instrument...." Read more
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UPDATE: I happily played this banjo every day for about three months before I got antsy and bought a fancier one (Recording King RK-20 Songster). Now that I have a point of comparison, I can say that the RK, which includes a tone ring, has a lovely, loud, ringing sound, with a richness the Jameson lacks. The RK is clearly a nicer instrument, and it's my new favorite. But you know what? I still play and love the Jameson too. It continues to stay in tune really well and sound good. And it's lighter than the RK, so easier to travel with or just take out to pick on the patio. In sum, you can get more banjo for more money, and it might make sense to do that if you're ready to commit. But I still think this banjo is a great deal for the price, and having two banjos rules, so even after upgrading I plan to get good use out of it.
The banjo arrived undamaged and packed safely. I had to tighten up the arm guard, and also file down a sharp bur on the arm guard before playing, but other than that the instrument was strung up with the bridge placed correctly and completely ready to play after some tuning.
As far as looks go, the banjo is beautiful. It may lack some of the frilly details of pricier banjos, but honestly, who cares? My wife is a professional musician and we own a large array of stringed instruments (guitars, mandolins, violins) ranging from cheapies to professional grade. We were completely impressed with the construction quality of this thing. If you've ever purchased a cheap guitar you know they usually have several annoying qualities; common ones being insanely high action and terrible finish where the frets meet the neck of the instrument. I had noticed those same flaws on the cheap banjos I tried in the stores and expected that this banjo would be no different. I'm happy to report that's not the case.
The action is nice and low, but not so low that the strings buzz when you aren't fretting a string. There is also an adjustable truss-rod that allows you to adjust the action to your liking. The frets themselves are absolutely flush with the neck of the banjo as well, so you don't feel the frets protruding from the edge of the fretboard as you slide your hand up and down the neck. The tuner pegs are geared and have plastic pearlescent knobs. The knobs look somewhat cheap, but you can apparently replace those if you are so inclined (I think they look fine). The geared tuners are attached to the head of the banjo by hardware that has some pretty scrolling on the metal, which looks really nice. The fretboard itself has pearl-inlay dots, which aren't as fancy as more expensive banjos, but again, no big deal.
The head is Remo Weatherking, and not some bush-league brand, so that's cool. The pot of the banjo is made completely of wood, not plastic, and is generally free of superficial defects and looks very pretty. The resonator also looks great, and seems to be a wood veneer over a wood composite, and as a result feels pretty light (perhaps a minus for some). The resonator is also removable and can be taken off and replaced quickly using some thumb screws, or more permanently removed by removing the hardware that the thumb-screws attach to. The rest of the hardware, like the hooks, the strap rings, and the arm guard, are shiny chrome and look great.
Okay, so the banjo looks awesome but how does it sound? It sounds great! It's nice and loud, with a really bright banjo tone. I chose to remove the resonator because I am learning clawhammer/frailing style playing; traditionally played on an open-back banjo. That said, my buddy plays Scruggs/bluegrass style banjo, and he made this thing sing with his finger picks andh the resonator on. So either way, clawhammer or bluegrass style, this banjo sounds great.
So there it is. This banjo is simply great for the price. I'll post some pictures to illustrate some of the points I made in the review.
* High-quality look (beautiful polished wood back and neck)
* Good sound
* Holds tuning well
* Lowest priced, best value real banjo on Internet and in stores
* Shipped by UPS with no damage, arrived in perfect condition from several states away
* 5-stringed (don't get the 4 string, because eventually you'll want the 5 string anyways, and it's easy enough to play it as if it were a 4-string without the high drone 5th string because it's set slightly lower than the plane of the other four)
* Resonator or closed-back design is louder, better than open-backed banjos, very loud, strong sound
* I found it straightforward to learn basic skills with my guitar background(it's string tunings and configuration are different, but techniques are similar)
* Not too heavy (some banjos I've picked up felt like a sack of bricks)
* Comes with chord chart printed on a piece of paper, a tuning guide with a piano for reference (for most common G-tuning or gDGBD), a diagram of the banjo parts, and a little tool
* Neck and string spacing is not to narrow, it's standard
Disliked:
* Some frets may be a slightly off (I tuned it, but fretting the 5th fret produces a noticeably sharp note that my tuner confirms), or perhaps the bridge is misplaced by a millimeter or two on mine, but I'm not experienced enough to precisely place it for accurate notes-playing all the way up the neck. However, this is not a big deal as you only notice if you have a good ear for pitches, and for the price it's to be expected.
* The tuning peg for the highest drone string that's halfway up the neck is really hard to turn, and doesn't turn smoothly like the other 4 tuners on the head.
Conclusion:
* Buy it. If you want a low-priced, good-quality banjo to start learning and continue playing for years, this is a good find.
* I'm very happy with my banjo, and I don't foresee any repairs needed, and I don't expect to feel the need to upgrade to a pricier instrument.
* I d also recommend buying a banjo strap, finger picks, a clip-on tuner for guitars/banjos, and possibly a beginner banjo book to get started.