Ibanez B50 5-String Banjo, Natural

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