You could theoretically play clawhammer style on any banjo, but some features of the instrument will be better-suited to the technique than others. Generally speaking, you want to look for an instrument with an open back design. In terms of the fretboard and string set-up, most players find it most comfortable to get an instrument with a relatively low action and a scooped neck.
If you’re a clawhammer player looking to buy a new instrument, check out the four options below, all of which will provide you with the sound and feel you’re looking for. They’re the best clawhammer banjos on the market.
Gold Tone OT-800 Banjo
The Gold Tone company was founded relatively recently, by luthier standards; they designed and sold their first banjo in 1993, and though they’ve had a small and dedicated following since that first release, their name has only recently gained national notoriety among bluegrass and folk musicians.
The OT-800 is arguably the best offering in their catalog for frailing. It uses an open back body design, first of all, but more important for this technique is the design of the neck. It’s a scooped neck, made of maple with a bound fingerboard. This classic design also features some modern improvements, most importantly the coordinator rods that are used in place of a dowel stick where the neck connects to the body. This not only improves the fit but also makes it easier to adjust the action.
The gold Tone OT-800 is an overall solid banjo, regardless of your playing technique. It’s especially popular among bluegrass players because of its enhanced volume and sustain compared to other models. This is largely thanks to the design of the rim and head, although the tone ring helps with that, too, using a design based on the classic Vega Tubaphone. If you’re looking for a banjo that’s easy playing with a vintage-inspired sound, this is a fantastic choice.
Deering Goodtime 5-string Banjo
Deering is another well-known name in the banjo world. Their Goodtime series offers a range of materials, constructions, and price points for banjo players in all genres and styles. This open-backed model is lighter-weight, making it better for traveling, and gives the sound a more open quality, as well. While certainly not the lowest-priced model around, it’s an excellent value considering its professional-level construction and materials.
The neck is made of rock maple, slender and constructed with a fairly low profile on all 22 frets, resulting in an instrument that’s incredibly easy to play. It uses a three-ply maple rim, while the bridge is made of ebony and maple. Everything on this banjo is designed to be adjustable to suit any player. The 11-inch head is adjustable, as are the tailpiece, bridge, and sealed geared tuners. The vibrant, singing tone you get out of this instrument gives banjos that cost twice as much a run for their money.
Pyle PBJ60
Though the open-back is traditional to clawhammer players, it’s not a necessary component of the playing style. Bluegrass players especially may find they miss the extra volume boost their sound gets from the resonator on a closed-back banjo. This Pyle model is a great option, with white jade tuners and a maple bridge that give you a relatively low action, great for the clawhammer style.
The traditional binding and Remo M1 head give you a classic twanging tone that’s punchy on the attack. Perhaps the most surprising thing about this Pyle banjo is the price, which is incredibly affordable. This makes it the perfect choice for either a beginning player or as an alternate instrument for those who usually play on an open-back banjo but occasionally need the extra power imparted by the resonator. If you’re budget-minded, this is likely the best clawhammer banjo you can find.
Recording King RK-OT25-BR Madison Banjo
The Madison Banjo is designed with traditional players in mind, and since the clawhammer style is most often used by those looking for that old school sound, that makes it the perfect fit for that playing technique. It’s an open-back design that uses a steam-bent maple rim and a 24 bracket tension hoop that’s made of nickel-plated brass. It uses a Remo FiberSkyn head that gives your tone a distinctive vintage sound, with punch on the attacks and clarity on the sustain.
The vintage feel comes through in other details, as well, like the no-knot presto tailpiece and scooped rosewood fingerboard. The hardware is nickel with a bone nut and a two-way adjustable truss rod—details that make this instrument comfortable to play and easy to keep in tune. While it’s built for old-school players, the quality of the tone make it great for any genre and playing style, and the hide head and pearl dot inlays on the rosewood fingerboard give it a lot of aesthetic appeal. This is among the best clawhammer banjos period.
Which Banjo’s Right for Me?
All four of the instruments on the list above will work wonderfully with the clawhammer (frailing banjo) style in terms of playing technique. Your main deciding factors will be the exact sound quality you’re going for and the price range you’re able to work within. As mentioned above, open-back models are generally a bit pricier than closed-back for the same level of sound quality. If price is a limiting factor, you may find it serves you best to get the Pyle listed above. If you’re on the quest for an open-back banjo that won’t put too big a dent in your bank account, consider the Deering Goodtime (see full specs).
If money isn’t a major concern, think about what kind of a sound you want out of your instrument. An open-backed model will give you a softer, mellower sound, while a closed-back banjo will be brighter and louder. Players in mountain or folk genres tend to prefer an open-back instrument played in the clawhammer style, whereas most bluegrass players prefer the twangier, louder sound of a closed-back or resonator banjo.
Aside from this main stylistic difference, the materials used in the construction of the head and rim will affect how the banjo ultimately sounds. Listen to the models on this list in action and decide which one comes closest to your ideal sound, then you’ll find the best clawhammer banjo for your own tastes. If you’re still not sure which one you’re looking for, the closed-back option might be the best one for you, giving you more flexibility for a variety of genres. Good luck!