Saw too many ads recently for 5-string banjos that I would NOT bring to a Bluegrass gig being advertised as "Bluegrass banjos." Yes, you can learn bluegrass styles on any 5-string in good condition. But to PLAY Bluegrass convincingly you need a tone ring and a resonator, and metal fingerpicks. I love backless, tone-ringless banjos for Old-Timey (pre-Bluegrass) and many other kinds of traditional music, but they don't have the edge you need to compete with steel guitars, mandolins, and fiddles. Not to mention, that there are a handful of Bluegrass banjo solos that depend on "planetary" tuners (the kind that come straight in through the back of the head instead of sticking out the sides).
Some people call backless, tone-ring-less banjos "Clawhammer" Banjos," because "Clawhammer" playing involves strummed notes that sustain too long (and sound muddy) on a banjo with a tone ring and resonator. Unfortunately only banjo players know what "Clawhammer" is, so the distinction is lost on beginners and non-banjoists.
I think the music stores that are calling ANY 5-string banjo a "Bluegrass banjo" are trying to point out that they're CAPABLE of playing Scruggs-style banjo (which has come to define Bluegrass banjo style) as opposed to 4-string or 6-string banjos, on which you really can't play Scruggs-style at all. But they're NOT really equipped to play Bluegrass unless they have more metal in them than my P.T. Cruiser.
Where does that leave the "pop-top" banjos, those $250-500 pieces with a single big metal pot (body) with rays pointing out that give the resonator something to hang onto. Yes, they increase volume and sustain over a wooden pot guitar. So you can, technically, play Bluegrass on them while you're playing dingy honky tonks and VA dances. But if you can find your way to a banjo with a real tone ring that sits between the head and the wooden pot, and a resonator you can take off without transforming your banjo into a dangerous weapon, you'll appreciate the better tone.
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