Any banjo players out there? Starter advice please :-)

[prunus]

My son has decided he wants to add banjo to his playing repertoire (he's been getting very into bluegrass of late). He plays guitar and bass (electric and acoustic) pretty well. I am charged with finding him one for christmas - but I know nothing about banjos!

4 string, 5 string, 'guitar'-style 6 string, open-back, resonator... confused...

What am I looking for, and any recommendations for good starter instruments, help! Please

 

[savoloysam]

Become a window cleaner

 

[surreybrowncap]

Become a window cleaner

He played the ukulele …

 

[savoloysam]

D'oh.

 

[danny la rouge]

Sorry, can’t help you. I mean won’t.

 

[Brayfart]

He played the ukulele …

Often played a banjolele which is more ukulele in essence (strings, tuning) but looks like a banjo. May be a good starting point for banjo too as it's tuned in fourths like a guitar or bass.

 

[klang]

5-string the one to go for if he wants bluegrass.
Have a look at Ozark for ok affordable starter level banjos.
Also consider getting him a book. BG banjo is quite different to guitar.

 

[tony.c]

I wanted to learn the banjo a few years back. I like Irish and Country music. The banjo used for that type of music is the 4 string tenor banjo. The strings are the same notes as a violin, G,D,A and E.
I bought a cheap East European made banjo, £90. I could play some simple tunes, but wasn't disciplined enough to do the practice required.

 

[JimW]

Don't break a string.

 

[redcogs]

Mind your fingers if you are paring cheese with it..