Best Electric Banjos – Plug In!
Looking to rock out with the banjo? Maybe try some two-hand tapping Van Halen style? Or just want to put some electric drive in your country? You’re going to need something that ole Masterclone can’t offer. You’re going to need a banjo with some serious VOLTAGE running through it!
Today we are going to look at some of the top electric banjos on the market. These include offerings from Nechville, Goldtone, and Luna. Time to plug in and bring the juice to the 5-string!!
Top Electric Banjos
Nechville Comet Electric Banjo
The comet is Nechville’s lowest priced electric banjo offering. The MSRP is $2295.
- Dual Passive Humbucker pickups
- Electric Guitar type saddle
- Solid Body
- 5.2 Pounds
This banjo has a saddle much like an electric guitar. It also has dual humbucker pickups. These are the two differences between it and the meteor. It’s completely solid body; however, only weighs 5.2 pounds (the lightest option on the list). This is the banjo for you if you want maximum feedback resistance!
Nechville Meteor
The Nechville Meteor is up there as one of the finest electric banjos you can buy. I first saw Alison Brown play one of these. Lifetime warranty and comes with a hard shell case. This is a great choice if you want an electric with some more traditional banjo features like a head and typical wooden bridge.
- Curly Maple Sunburst Neck & Body
- Radiused Fingerboard
- Dual Pickup system
- Radius “traditional” bridge system
- 5.8 pounds
The Nechville Meteor is the Comet’s big brother. It has a MSRP of $4350. It comes with some fancier inlays,
Goldtone EBM-5: Electric Banjo
The Goldtone EBM-5 is one of the more affordable options, coming in at a MSRP of $1299. It represents the middle line of electric banjos. This is closer to a traditional banjo than the comet. However, it has some unique features like the headstock that is reminiscent of a mandolin. The body has more curves than the Nechville but uses an 8 inch head as well. At the same time, this is heavier than the Nechville offerings by 3 pounds.
- Maple Neck
- Mahogany Back and Sides
- 8 inch head
- 8.3 pounds
- Humbucker Pickup at neck and under the neck.
The Goldtone EBM-5 has a MSRP of $1200
Goldtone EB-5 Electric Banjo
The Goldtone EB-5 is almost half the price of the EBM-5, coming in at a MSRP of only $699.99. It is similar in shape to the Nechville. More round, yet different. The EB-5 is lighter than its big brother, coming in at only 6 pounds.
- Rosewood Fingerboard
- 24 frets
- 8 inch head
- Mahogany back & sides
- 6 pounds
- Stacked Humbucker pickup
Luna Moonbird 5-string Acoustic/Electric Banjo
The Luna Moonbird banjo is basically a traditional beginner banjo with electronics added. Price is around $499, so this is about as cheap as you can get into an electric banjo. Given that it is shaped like an acoustic banjo and not solid bodied, if you plan on blasting the volume, this one will be more inclined to feedback.
- Graphite bridge
- Single Humbucker Pickup
- Single Volume Knob on the side
Electric Banjo Wrap up
These banjos present a wide variety of options and price ranges. If price is your main factor, the Luna is the one. If weight is a concern, you want to go with the Nechville Comet or Goldtone EB-5. The Goldtone won’t break the bank and is a step up from the Luna if you need more volume.
Personally, looking at the different models, I’d want to hold the Nechville and Goldtone in my lap to see which ergonomics fit me better. Neither is shaped like a normal banjo and may take some getting used to. If you can find somewhere to try them out, I’d HIGHLY recommend that.
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