Oldpitch - Posted - 12/07/2025:  06:40:09

I would love to play frailing banjo for dancing, but all the banjos that I know of are either too quiet or too heavy. it seems as if once frets were added, all the banjos became over-engineered. Any advice would be very helpful .

heavy5 - Posted - 12/07/2025:  06:58:20

All available lightweight banjos are out there , u just have to look for them .

Oldpitch - Posted - 12/07/2025:  08:23:36

Of course I have looked but not found. I am asking for advice and help please.

pinenut - Posted - 12/07/2025:  08:44:33

quote:

---

Originally posted by Oldpitch

Of course I have looked but not found. I am asking for advice and help please.

---

Tone rings involving a rolled rod (plain is fine) on a drum shell (thin, rigid rim) and a 26"+ scale tend to be light, sound decent and have good volume.

Cheers.

banjered - Posted - 12/07/2025:  09:16:34

I agree that, for me (not everyone), that many banjos are over-built/engineered and too heavy. A lot of banjo folks prefer industrial-strength banjos, the heavier the better, completely able to slay all the infidels in any bar room fight. But there are light, loud banjos out there. Look for fewer hooks and wood ring banjos. I think of Stone banjo company,, the Enoch Tradesman and others. Let's see what others recommend. banjered

banjo bill-e - Posted - 12/07/2025:  09:59:48

The Tradesman is light, but not very loud. I think a Mike Ramsey Standard model with thin rim and rod tone ring might be one answer, if you could find one, or similar design from other makers. Perhaps Zack Hoyt could provide what you need at a fair price?

Mickhammer - Posted - 12/07/2025:  10:01:19

quote:

---

Originally posted by Oldpitch

Of course I have looked but not found. I am asking for advice and help please.

---

If you don't mind plugging in, Gold Tone's EB-5 is very lightweight. It's my stage instrument.

Also, I picked up a Pohlmann Banjola recently - super featherweight and has quite a rich sound for such a small body. With nylguts, it really sings.

Edited by - Mickhammer on 12/07/2025 10:02:24

Culloden - Posted - 12/07/2025:  10:10:13

I am assuming you play clawhammer style? It seems like it would be pretty tricky to dance while playing three-finger style.
In the 1960s, Vega made banjos called the Folk Ranger and the Folk Wonder. They were the open backed versions of the Ranger and Wonder. The Ranger has no tone ring; the Wonder has a simple brass hoop with a spun sleeve. Both are pretty light weight if you can find them. They come up for sale from time to time.
There are several members here who make lightweight banjos that might be to your liking. Mark Hickler and Zachary Hoyt come to mind first thing. Both make banjos for old time playing which are probably going to be light enough for what you want.
I don't know what your budget is, so I don't know if you would want to have one made or try to find one on the used market. I expect that it would be pretty difficult to find one new that would suit your purposes.

Mark D - Posted - 12/07/2025:  10:13:34

I purchased a Gold Tone AC-1FL 12" fretless composite banjo recently. Super light weight, but with very good tone to my ears.
Won't replace my Reiter or old Vega open backs, but a nice instrument for the price.
I'd also recommend looking into what Zach Hoyt could build for you.

Oldpitch - Posted - 12/07/2025:  10:37:33

My sincere thanks to everyone that has made suggestions, which I will certainly follow up.

I usually play at home only (not very well) a Pollman parlour banjo or a fretless Buckbee type with nylon strings.
My instrument for dancing out (clog or longsword) is a loud anglo concertina.

Unfortunately I have to use a Mobility scooter now and cannot lift a heavy banjo,
but would love to play "Round Peak" style for flat-footing
Thanks to you all once again. Gill

jack_beuthin - Posted - 12/07/2025:  11:35:39

Given that you are in the UK, you might want to reach out to Leon Ballard (in Suffolk) and see what he can do for you.

 

ballardbanjers.com/

banjered - Posted - 12/07/2025:  16:34:40

A pick on your "Bum" finger can really increase the volume of any banjo. banjered

pinenut - Posted - 12/07/2025:  18:11:06

quote:

---

Originally posted by banjered

A pick on your "Bum" finger can really increase the volume of any banjo. banjered

---

@Joel Hooks has the best thimbles. 

Fingers down; I've tried them all, these are the best.

banjothimble.com/banjo-thimbles

Edited by - pinenut on 12/07/2025 18:13:21

Dan Gellert - Posted - 12/11/2025:  18:09:16

If you want a lightweight banjo, the plastic-rim Gold Tone AC series is definitely the place to start looking. They have 11 and 12 inchers, fretted and fretless, A-scale, and even more options than those...

R.D. Lunceford - Posted - 12/12/2025:  23:40:54

quote:

---

Originally posted by banjo bill-e

I think a Mike Ramsey Standard model with thin rim and rod tone ring might be one answer, 

---

Just what I was about to suggest. 

An 11" rim would be a bit lighter than a 12", and have a more focussed sound.  Additionally if you put a Remo frosted head on it and crank it down, it will have a lot of cutting power and make it more easily heard.

Edited by - R.D. Lunceford on 12/12/2025 23:44:29

banjobard - Posted - 01/10/2026:  09:10:13

The lightest weight fretted banjos I own are a gourd banjo by Jason Romero and a track head banjo by Jere Canote. It’s amazing how much weight you save by getting rid of all the hooks and nuts and shoes and tension hop. Pegheads tuners and nylon or nylgut strings, rather than tuners with big metal gear boxes. Wooden tailpieces. and they sound great.

The gold tone composite banjos can be set up to sound ok, by tightening the head and stuffing the pot a bit. And they’re easy enough to come by. But they will never sound great, and they’re still heavier than the ones I mention.

cottontop - Posted - 01/10/2026:  09:48:35

quote:

---

Originally posted by Culloden

I am assuming you play clawhammer style? It seems like it would be pretty tricky to dance while playing three-finger style.

In the 1960s, Vega made banjos called the Folk Ranger and the Folk Wonder. They were the open backed versions of the Ranger and Wonder. The Ranger has no tone ring; the Wonder has a simple brass hoop with a spun sleeve. Both are pretty light weight if you can find them. They come up for sale from time to time.

There are several members here who make lightweight banjos that might be to your liking. Mark Hickler and Zachary Hoyt come to mind first thing. Both make banjos for old time playing which are probably going to be light enough for what you want.

I don't know what your budget is, so I don't know if you would want to have one made or try to find one on the used market. I expect that it would be pretty difficult to find one new that would suit your purposes.

---

Chris Sorenson is another maker to look into.

Jor

Culloden - Posted - 01/10/2026:  10:51:26

quote:

---

Originally posted by cottontop

quote:

---

Originally posted by Culloden

I am assuming you play clawhammer style? It seems like it would be pretty tricky to dance while playing three-finger style.

In the 1960s, Vega made banjos called the Folk Ranger and the Folk Wonder. They were the open backed versions of the Ranger and Wonder. The Ranger has no tone ring; the Wonder has a simple brass hoop with a spun sleeve. Both are pretty light weight if you can find them. They come up for sale from time to time.

There are several members here who make lightweight banjos that might be to your liking. Mark Hickler and Zachary Hoyt come to mind first thing. Both make banjos for old time playing which are probably going to be light enough for what you want.

I don't know what your budget is, so I don't know if you would want to have one made or try to find one on the used market. I expect that it would be pretty difficult to find one new that would suit your purposes.

---

Chris Sorenson is another maker to look into.

Jor

---

Chris is a great person to deal with. Does he make old time banjos? I'm not saying he doesn't, I've just never seen any examples of old time banjos on his website.