5-String Washburn Banjos

The banjo has a history that goes back more than a century - and so does Washburn. In fact, when Washburn first got up and running in the 1880s, the banjo was one of the instruments featured in its initial lineup. It's been a long time since then, but the banjo hasn't gone anywhere... and neither has the reputation Washburn earned for building some of the best. Just take a good look through the options in this section, and it's plain to see that today's Washburn 5-string banjos are worthy descendants of the instruments that came before them. And with one of these banjos with you onstage, you can be just as worthy to follow in the footsteps of the artists who kept them going through the decades.

Like most banjo makers, Washburn offers a variety of instruments covering a diverse range of playstyles and experience levels. If you're a beginner looking for the most accessible point of entry into the Washburn lineup, try starting your search with the Washburn B9 Banjo. It's as easy to play as it is to afford, and for those getting started from scratch, it's available in the Washburn B8 Banjo Pack which also includes a gig bag, pitch pipe, finger picks and more: everything you need to get on your way.

On the other hand, maybe you're a veteran picker in need of a high-end instrument that can handle your fastest fingerpicking without breaking a sweat, and deliver a sound that's truly world-class while it's at it. In that case, a few solid suggestions to consider would be the Washburn B16 Banjo, the Washburn B120 Natural Distressed 5-String Banjo and the Washburn B17 Sunburst 5-String Banjo. These resonator-equipped models have plenty of volume and projection to lift their tone up to a whole new level.

Naturally, only you can decide which one (or two, or three...) of these Washburn 5-string banjos deserves a spot on your wish list. They're all highly capable instruments, and picking out the best model for your needs is a matter of finding the right balance between budget, experience level, layout and simple personal preference. After that, your only challenge might be to explore how you can make music history with a new Washburn banjo to call your own.