If you haven’t heard of the banjolele before, it’s pretty much as you’d imagine; the body of a banjo and the size of a ukulele. Ukulele-sized banjos (or banjo ukulele) have been around since the early 1900s and have been popular in different styles of music.
The marriage of these two instruments produces the characteristic sound of the banjo within the particular body dimensions of the ukulele, most commonly the concert ukulele. It’s an easy instrument to pick up and play, with a fun and distinct tone to it that is sure to delight almost anyone.
Let’s look at some of the top banjoleles on the market now.
 | 1. Our Top Pick Banjolele – Oscar Schmidt OUB1 Banjo Ukulele Mahogany back, sides, and neck, and a rosewood fretboard. You have the option of removing the resonator for extra tonal control. | Buy on Amazon |
 | 2. Best Budget Banjolele – Kmise Banjo Ukulele Choose from a variety of different inlay patterns on this concert-size banjolele. A removable resonator, gig bag, and tuner are all included. | Buy on Amazon |
 | 3. Best Beginners Banjolele – AKLOT Banjo Ukulele Concert 23 Contains everything you need to start your banjolele journey. All maple construction, a true Appalachia aesthetic, and an adjustable truss rod make this an outstanding deal. | Buy on Amazon |
 | 4. Most Unique Looking Banjolele – Luna 8″ Banjolele with Ulu Design A visual and sonic beauty of an instrument. The drum head contains a typical Hawaiian pattern. For those who like their instruments to look as good as they sound. | Buy on Amazon |
 | 5. Best Intermediate Banjolele – Kala, 4-String Ukulele KA BNJ BK C A loud and resonant instrument built with high-quality woods, and a removable back for added tonal control. | Buy on Amazon |
 | 6. Best Banjolele Strings – Aquila Nylgut 90U These are the favored strings of most players these days for their neutral and traditional tone. The high quality strings are made in Italy. | Buy on Amazon |
Our Top Pick Banjolele Oscar Schmidt OUB1
The Oscar Schmidt banjolele is a concert-size banjolele that is a solid choice for all levels of player. It’s the kind of instrument that’s easy to play and right from the beginning makes you feel like you can grow as a musician alongside it.
The neck, back, and sides are made from mahogany and the fretboard is rosewood. The 18 frets give you the tone and spirit of the banjo with the feel of the ukulele when playing. You can remove the bound mahogany resonator to give you that extra bit of tonal control to play around within your musical explorations.
The open-gear tuning system should help keep you in tune longer so you can strum away with peace of mind. One downside is the lack of a travel case.
Pros:
- Mahogany back, sides, and neck.
- Rosewood fretboard.
- Option of removing the resonator for extra tone control.
- Superb sounds that stay in tune for longer.
Cons:
- The distinct lack of a gig-bag.
- Other similar quality models are cheaper and come with a gig bag and a tuner.
Best Budget Banjolele Kmise Banjo Ukulele
The Kmise Concert Banjo Ukulele has a 15” scale making it comparable to a concert ukulele in size. Take your pick from an assortment of different inlay patterns; blocks, flowers, diamonds, or even plain and simple dots.
The neck, back, and sides are made from Sapele, and the 18 frets are copper which is particularly resistant to abrasion. Remove the backplate for a more direct and brighter sound. Playing with the plate on results in a mellow and more gentle tone. The maple wood bridge and walnut fretboard add to the character of this banjolele, both sonically and visually.
The fact that this banjolele comes with a gig bag and clip-on tuner makes it unbeatable in value all things considered. It’s a hard-to-beat choice if you’re looking for another instrument to add to your collection.
Pros:
- Comes with a padded gig bag and tuner.
- 15” scale like a concert ukulele.
- Choose from several different inlay patterns.
- Premium Aquila strings included.
- Removable resonator for tonal change.
Cons:
- Short warranty of only 90 days.
Best Beginners Banjolele AKLOT Banjo Ukulele Concert 23
The Aklot concert banjolele comes with everything you need to start playing. The craftsmanship, attention to detail, and finish are excellent on this model and are superior to others in the same price range.
The neck and sides are maple, the back is open and the head is an 8” Remo Fiberskyn. The open-back design makes the sound closer to a banjo and increases the volume, something ukulele players may appreciate! This banjolele has an authentic look and a tone that is both warm and bright.
The adjustable truss rod means you can shorten (or lengthen) the distance between the strings and the fretboard. The open-gear tuners are responsive and will keep you in tune for longer. Included alongside the banjolele are a gig bag, a tuner, a ruler, 5 picks, a wrench, a strap, and a cloth.
Not only is the Aklot banjolele a great deal for beginners, but it should hold up to your needs as you advance in your playing, due to the quality of the craftsmanship and those extra little details.
Pros:
- Comes with everything a beginner could need to start.
- Open back design creates a louder, more banjo-like tone.
- Adjustable truss rod so you can lower the action to your liking.
- Authentic looks and real Appalachian aesthetics.
- Maple wood construction.
- 2-year warranty.
Cons:
- Requires a bit of setup.
Most Unique Looking Banjolele Luna 8″ Banjolele with Ulu Design
If you’re looking for an instrument that stands out from all the other banjoleles out there, then this could be what you’re after. Aside from its eye-catching design, it also produces a stunning sound. The drum head is etched with a traditional Hawaiian quilt pattern on this unique concert-size banjolele.
Luna has chosen quality materials to craft this stunning piece, with a mahogany neck, maple body and bridge, and walnut fretboard. It has a clear head so you can see the beautiful etching inspired by Kalo (the taro plant) which was an integral part of early Hawaiian culture.
The back of the instrument also contains an appealing tobacco sunburst pattern, which will no doubt appeal to those who like their instruments to look as good as they sound.
Pros:
- Beautiful appearance with a sound to match.
- The drum head is etched with a traditional Hawaiian quilt pattern depicting the taro plant.
- Quality materials and woods used.
- Tobacco sunburst back.
Cons:
- Plastic tuner heads.
Best Intermediate Banjolele Kala, 4-String Ukulele KA BNJ BK C:
Kala is a long-established brand in the ukulele world. They make a whole array of superior beginner ukuleles.
The Kala KA BNJ BK C has a Remo Weatherking banjo head secured with brass brackets. It’s a closed-back model that gives you the option to remove the back completely and change the tonal character. The fretboard is walnut, and the back and sides are from maple. The saddle is also maple with an ebony cap.
The gear tuning machines are brass. The marriage of these good-quality materials results in a loud and resonant sound. This model is classed as an intermediate model due to its higher price. Regarding quality, you can get a similar model for a fraction of the cost. That being said, if you don’t mind the price it’s a stunning instrument with an alluring tone.
Pros:
- Well built with excellent quality materials.
- Loud resonant tone.
- The back can be removed for added tonal variability.
- Includes a soft case.
Cons:
- Not the best value on the list.
- The soft case doesn’t offer too much protection.
Best Banjolele Strings – BANJO UKULELE BANJOLELE STRINGS
Nylgut is a synthetic material copyrighted and patented by Aquila in 1997. It has a tonal profile that mimics the gut strings favored by players since the early days of the uke and the banjolele. Nylon, which has been the popular alternative to gut, contains a different tonal character and tends to be quieter on the whole.
Nylgut strings are the first synthetic ‘gut,’ strings in the world. They offer a neutral tone and the same projection as traditional gut strings.
Pros:
- Neutral tone.
- Loud and traditional sounding.
Cons:
- Not suitable for every instrument.
Best Banjolele Buying Guide
History of the Banjolele
Banjoleles were first constructed around 1917 but weren’t made popular until the 1920s and 1930s. The instrument was designed in response to the needs of vaudeville performers who needed an instrument with the ease of the ukulele but with more volume and oomph.
The banjolele was the instrument of choice of the British comic George Formby which he used as an accompaniment to his comic songs. His name is the one most often associated with the instrument.
What Is a Banjolele?
The banjolele is a small string instrument with the body of a banjo and the neck and tuning of a ukulele. The body is round-rimmed, with a drum-like material stretched over it. The rim (or the pot) is most often made from wood, although some manufacturers use metal or plastic rims nowadays.
The majority of banjoleles are the same scale as a concert or soprano ukulele. Whilst they are rarer, you also can find tenor banjoleles. The banjolele is an instrument that marries the unique tonal character of the banjo with the more friendly dimensions and playing techniques of the ukulele. This makes it easy to pick up and learn for anyone and is part of its appeal.
Tightening or loosening the drum head by adjusting the tension hooks outside the drum influences the tone of the instrument. Looser tension results in a more bass-heavy sound at the expense of higher-end attack. Most players prefer the drum to be taut to the touch, which results in a bright and punchy tone with a quick attack and strong and firm note articulation.
Should I get Open or Closed Back banjolele?
Whether you chose to go for an open or closed back is down to personal preference. Whether you have a resonator, a closed or an open back will affect the sound of your banjolele, so it will depend on the type of sound you’re looking for. A resonator and closed wooden back will dampen and mute the sound significantly. This can be the tone some of looking for though, so it’s best to see what you prefer if possible.
What Size of Banjolele Should I Buy?
There are mainly four types of banjoleles: soprano, concern, tenor and baritone, with increasing size and lower tones. Concert banjoleles as this is by far the most common kind on the market. Most beginners will probably start with concert size. If you have a small hand or want a travel size banjolele, you can consider soprano size.
Soprano Banjolele
A soprano banjolele will have a total length of around 21 inches, with a scale length of 13 inches, and usually 12 to 15 frets.
Concert Banjolele
Concert banjoleles are the most popular type. So, all instruments in this roundup have been concerts. The total length of these instruments is usually 23 inches, with a scale length of 15 inches and about 15 to 20 frets.
Tenor Banjolele
The tenor banjolele has a full length of around 26 inches, with a scale length of 17 inches, and about 15 to 20 frets. The larger fretboard of the tenor banjolele will make it easier to play, especially for beginners, or those with larger hands. It should also help guitar players looking to broaden their musical horizons into the world of different string instruments.
The larger space will give you more harmonic and melodic options because of its increased range, and will be more forgiving of any mistakes than a smaller instrument such as a soprano or concert will be.
Baritone Banjolele.
Baritone Banjolele
The largest is the baritone banjolele, which has a full length of about 30 inches, a scale length of 19 inches, and at least 19 frets.
What’s the Tuning of banjolele?
Soprano And Concert Banjoleles Are Tuned In C (G, C, E, A) Whilst Tenor And Baritone Banjolele Are Tuned To D (A, D, F♯, B)
What parts of Banjolele require setup?
Banjoleles have a lot of adjustable parts in them that will need some tweaking to get them sounding and feeling right. The main parts you need to adjust in banjolele are the bridge, the strings and the head tension. Adjusting all the parts so the instrument sounds and feels right is known as ‘setting it up.’ When all the variables merge into a harmonious sound and instrument, it is said to have a good setup.
The Bridge
The bridge, the small wooden piece that lies on the head under the strings has to be set up when you receive your banjolele. The bridge is responsible for transmitting the vibrations of the strings to the head.
The position of the bridge affects the intonation; whether you’re in tune in all positions on the instrument. The manufacturers should include details on how to position the bridge correctly.
Banjolele Strings
The strings you choose to use on your banjolele will affect the sounds and playability of your instrument. Some banjoleles come with quality strings already on them, but often, you’ll have to change them for a more satisfying sound. Changing the strings to better quality ones can improve the sound and feel of your banjolele.
In the past, gut strings were commonplace on the banjolele, as with the ukulele. Nowadays nylon strings are the most commonplace. You can also find fluorocarbon strings, or Aquila’s popular Nylgut, which is a composite of three synthetic materials.
Some strings will produce a brighter and louder tone, whilst others will impart a warmer and more mellow tone. It’s important to remember that the strings will either enhance the positive or negative qualities of the construction of your banjolele. Some strings are more suited to certain woods than others, and the best way is to try a few different ones out to see which suits your instrument, playing style, and tonal preferences.
Fluorocarbon is a new and exciting string material that many players are experimenting with. They provide a loud tone that can bring out the character of the tonewood. But, if your instrument is built from laminate woods, it can tend to enhance the negative tonal aspects.
The Head Tension
Most if not all banjoleles come with an adjustable head tension (the head being the drum-like ‘face’ of the instrument.) The lower the tension the more pronounced your low-end frequencies will be and the higher the tension, the brighter your sound will be.
How is Banjolele constructed?
Banjos use metal strings, whereas ukuleles use nylon strings. Banjoleles follow the ukulele and use nylon nowadays as well, instead of the gut strings popular in days gone by. Banjoleles usually contain around 16 frets. The bridge floats on the head and is held in place by the tension of the strings. It may contain either an open back or a resonator, each of which offers its unique tonal qualities and specific characteristics.
It’s down to the musician to decide which one of these they’d prefer and which will better suit their needs, as each offers its quirks and benefits. Now many manufacturers offer removable resonators, so if you’re the indecisive type like me, you can have your cake and eat it too! Not only does this save you the hassle of making the decision but it also gives you more sonic freedom to play around with in your musical creations, which can only be a good thing in my books.
The banjolele is tuned in C ( G, C, E, A) or in D ( A, D, F♯, B) which is to say the 5th, the tonic, the major 3rd, and the major 6th. It’s also known as the ‘my dog has fleas’ tuning, although why has always eluded me
To Sum Up
The banjolele is an instrument with a century of history behind it that has seen a recent surge in popularity. It combines the ease of playability of a ukulele with the louder more in-your-face character of the banjo. It’s popular in folk, country, and western music as well as other musical styles. The banjolele is a fine instrument to start learning; whether you’re a total musical newbie or a guitarist looking to expand your string playing abilities onto different tunings and size instruments.
Our top pick, the Oscar-Schmidt-OUB1-Ukulele is a fine choice of an instrument to ease you into the banjolele sphere. It’s the rare combination of being beginner-friendly yet is not the kind of instrument you’ll find yourself growing out of in a hurry. It offers you room to grow as your musicality blossoms. The mahogany and rosewood construction offers a satisfying tone and the removable resonator is sure to help keep your quest for your unique tone and musical expression satisfied into the future.
Last update on 2023-04-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
