Barnes & Mullins BJ350G 'Albert' 5-String Open Back Banjo

Barnes & Mullins BJ350G 'Albert' 5-String Open Back Banjo

A Great Choice For Clawhammer Players

The Barnes & Mullins BJ350G 'Albert' Open Back Banjo is an excellent choice, especially for clawhammer players and those interested in authentic "old-time" banjo sounds. Unlike the more commonly known "bluegrass" banjos with resonators, open-back banjos like the 'Albert' produce a quieter sound, making them ideal for specific playing styles.

Key features of the BJ350G 'Albert' include a chocolate-coloured walnut rim and a mahogany neck. These materials contribute to its natural "open-back" character, resulting in a charming mature tone with subtle brightness. This combination creates a unique and lively banjo sound.

The 'Albert' banjo is complete with chrome fittings and an armrest, an ovangkol fingerboard with patterned fret inlays, and traditional planetary machine heads. These components enhance the banjo's playability and maintain its traditional aesthetics.

Who is this Banjo For?

This B&M ‘Albert’ 5-string open back banjo is – like all open back banjos – a great choice for ‘Clawhammer’ players. Clawhammer playing employs a percussive technique where the index or middle fingers are used to strike the strings rather than finger picks – with the hand in a ‘claw’ shape.

This technique naturally produces a softer sound that is complimented perfectly by an open back instrument as it is quieter and more subdued tonally as some of the sound escapes through the back towards the player.

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Common 5-String Banjo Tunings

• G, D, G, B, D - Open G
• G, C, G, B, D - C Tuning / Drop C

Body & Construction Specifications:

• STYLE: 5-String Open Back
• HEAD: Remo Weatherking®
• BRACKET QTY: 18
• RIM: Walnut
• BRIDGE: Maple with Ovangkol Tip
• COORDINATOR RODS: 2
• HARDWARE: Chrome
• TAILPIECE: Chrome
• ARMREST: Chrome
• NECK: Mahogany
• FINGERBOARD: Ovangkol 
• FRETS: 22
• INLAYS: Mother of Pearl Patterned
• MACHINEHEADS: Planetary
• TRUSSROD COVER: 'Albert' Script
• NUT WIDTH: 31mm
• SCALE LENGTH: 670mm
• WEIGHT: 3kg

The Barnes & Mullins Story

In 1894, Mr Albert Mullins and Mr S. Bowley Barnes started “The Jo”, their famous musical instrument journal.

Specialising in all things banjo, they soon began manufacturing their own banjos as well as importing many other instruments. The original Barnes and Mullins banjos are still sought after today, with collectors seeking them out all over the world. Sadly in 1914 at the age of 40, Albert Mullins drowned when the ‘Empress of Ireland’ sank on the St Lawrence River. He was on the home leg of a 2 year sales trip.

Bowley Barnes continued the business thereafter, and what he had started with his partner years earlier in Bournemouth now moved to Rathbone Place, London. In 1976, Mark Barnes – son of Bowley Barnes – moved the business to Grays Inn Road, Bloomsbury. Sadly in 1986, Mark Barnes died. He was greatly admired and respected by employees and customers alike who were quick to tell of his fair and generous nature.

In 1999, Bruce Perrin – a Director since 1986 – became Managing Director and moved the business from London to the current location – Grays Inn House – a modern 46000sqft warehouse and office facility in Oswestry, Shropshire. Bruce Perrin says “We are excited about the future and are constantly looking at ways to innovate and evolve, yet Barnes and Mullins has always endeavoured to put the customer at the top of its priority list”.