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Features
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Ibanez

collapse expand iconDescription

It's been three decades since Ibanez was in the banjo business, but they're back with a bang ¦or is it a twang? Old-timers may recall Ibanez was quite enamored with banjo-building, having even collaborated on an artist signature model with the late great Earl Scruggs. As of 2012 they're back at it, and in the Ibanez tradition, the B-50 delivers a sweet 5-string closed-back banjo at a price that won't break the bank. It features a 24-lug configuration and mahogany back and sides. The mahogany neck has a rosewood fingerboard with dot position markers. Open gear tuners lend a vintage note while keeping things in tune.

Case sold separately.
Ibanez B50 5-String Banjo Natural
Ibanez B50 5-String Banjo Natural

collapse expand iconFeatures

  • 5-string banjo design
  • 24-lug configuration
  • Mahogany neck
  • Mahogany back and sides
  • Remo 11inch coated weatherking banjo head
  • Open gear tuners
  • Rosewood bridge and fretboard
  • Standard acoustic strings
  • Natural high gloss finish
  • Case sold separately

collapse expand iconSpecs

  • Body Style: B
  • Width: 11" Circle

collapse expand iconWarranty

Warranty terms vary. Check with manufacturer for specific product warranty.

collapse expand iconReviews

4.13

15 Reviews

82%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend

Most Liked Positive Review

5

Great Value and Comfortable to play

I am a guitar player and this is the first banjo I have owned (though I have attempted to play several). From playing guitar for so many years I can tell the difference between junk and an instrument that is comfortable to play. This banjo is comfortable to play which is important. If you aren't comfortable, you won't want to play it. This was given to me as a Christmas gift and I love it. I am just learning but so far it has been a great/quality instrument to learn on. The action is good from the get go and it stays in tune. I have played with top of the line banjos and the bottom of the barrel banjos and this one is quality. No, it is not a $800 instrument but for $250 you are getting a great deal.

VS

Most Liked Negative Review

3

Major design flaw

First of all, this banjo is pretty nice for the price. Plays nice, sounds good, looks good. Better than the $250 Washburn which has an ugly (IMO) aluminum body. I bought it and took it home, and noticed the head wasn't really even. No big deal, I'll just loosen the lugs and straighten it. So I took the resonator off and got to loosening the lugs, and this is where the trouble came in. The parts they built this thing with are incompatible; i.e. the head lugs don't go straight down through the barrels (don't know the technical terms), and they're bound in there crooked. You can actually take the nuts off the lugs and they won't move. In fact of the three I did manage to remove, one had the threads completely sheared off one side where it had been forced in there. I wrote Ibanez about this and hopefully they'll get it corrected. I gave this thing 3 stars because it's pretty nice other than that one major issue, and if not for that it probably gets 5 stars. But beware! Check it out. Mine went straight back to the store.

Filters
Best Uses
  1. Practicing5
  2. Playing with other amateurs & self entertainment1
  3. Learning to play banjo1
  4. creepin on 4 random businessmen in a wilderness1
Cons
  1. Breaks Easy1
  2. Heavy / Bulky1
  3. Not Consistent1
  4. Poor Tone Quality1
  5. Price was too low to pass up.1
Describe Yourself
  1. Novice7
  2. Experienced4
Pros
  1. Good Tone9
  2. Consistent3
  3. Well Built / Quality2
  4. Good quality1
  5. This "open box" was like brand new.1

Reviewed by 15 customers

  • Very satisfied!

    5

    submitted3 years ago

    byTony

    fromMinnesota

    I wanted to begin playing banjo for some time, and after doing some research, this banjo looked to be the one of the best for a beginner. I couldn't be happier. I've had this banjo for about six months now, and I love it. The quality appears to be very good, and sounds great.

  • A gret instrument for a great price

    5

    submitted5 years ago

    byLane

    fromPiedmont, AL

    I changed strings, b ut overall this was a great value. I began with a banjo about 25 years ago, but changed to a guitar. Now Im having to "re-educate" my fingers. This is as great instrument for the price.

  • Holds tune like it aint no thang.

    5

    submitted5 years ago

    byLeft Pant Leg

    fromOregon

    I have used it for playing banjo themed music, however, I imagine there could be other unknown uses for it that I have not yet figured out.

  • Great fun while quarantined

    4

    submitted5 years ago

    byJim

    fromGrover beach CA

    Love it‼️

  • Good product

    5

    submitted5 years ago

    byWiz

    fromArizona

    To expand my horizons

  • Good product

    5

    submitted5 years ago

    byWiz

    fromArizona

    To enhance my ability

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collapse expand iconQ&A

Have a question about this product? Our expert Gear Advisers have the answers.

  • submitteda year ago

    asked byTaidyn

    fromSparks ga

    Left handed or right handed

    Left handed or right handed

    Open Reply - Gear-Support
    This is right handed.

  • submitted5 years ago

    asked byMike

    fromLehigh Acres, Florida 33936

    Are these banjos made in USA?

    Are these banjos made in USA?

    Open Reply - Ronald
    This is made in China.
    Open Reply - Kenneth
    This is not made in the USA

  • submitted6 years ago

    asked byKATHY

    fromKY

    Do you have layaway

    Do you have layaway

    Open Reply - Beau
    Our retail store locations do offer layaway.