Five Strings, Open Back, Ready to Pick
Maybe you've been eyeing the banjo for a while — heard it on a favorite record, caught someone playing on a porch, or just decided it's time to learn something with a little twang and personality. The Epiphone MB-100 is a great place to start. It's a no-frills, honest 5-string open-back banjo that gets you playing without getting in your way.
Epiphone's history with banjos actually predates their guitars — founder Epi Stathopoulo's first patent was for a banjo, and the company has been building them since the 1920s. That heritage shows up in the MB-100's straightforward, well-considered design: a mahogany body and neck, a Remo head, and a rosewood fingerboard, all in a natural finish that looks the part whether you're picking in the living room or heading out to a jam session.
Open-back banjos have a character all their own — lighter on the shoulder than resonator models and mellower in tone, which makes the MB-100 a natural fit for old-time, stringband, and folk styles as well as beginner bluegrass.
Mahogany Body and Neck
The MB-100 uses mahogany for both the body (rim) and the neck, a combination that contributes a warm, full-bodied tone. Mahogany is a dependable wood choice at this price point — it's consistent, resonant, and holds up well.
At 26.25" scale and 1.25" nut width, the neck feels familiar if you're coming from guitar, and comfortable for players who are new to fretted instruments altogether. The rosewood fingerboard features dot inlays that make navigation easy as you work through chord shapes and rolls.
Remo Head and Nickel Hardware
The Remo head is a standout spec on an instrument at this price. Remo is the standard by which banjo heads are measured — their heads are used on professional-grade instruments and are well-regarded for consistency and tone. Having one stock on the MB-100 means you're not immediately looking to swap it out.
Premium nickel machine heads with white buttons round out the hardware. Nickel gives the MB-100 a classic, vintage-appropriate look that suits the natural finish well, and the tuners are designed to hold pitch reliably during regular playing.
Lightweight and Built for Travel
One of the practical advantages of the open-back design is weight. Without the resonator shell, the MB-100 comes in around 4.6 lbs — noticeably lighter than a resonator banjo, which makes a real difference when you're standing, playing for extended stretches, or tossing it in the car for a weekend trip.
The open-back design also naturally shapes the tone: expect a softer, rounder projection compared to a resonator banjo's louder, more focused punch. For home practice, small jams, and acoustic string-band settings, that quality is an asset, not a limitation.
Product Features:
- String Count: 5-string
- Body Style: Open back
- Body and Neck: Mahogany
- Head: Remo banjo head
- Fingerboard: Rosewood with dot inlays
- Scale Length: 26.25"
- Nut Width: 1.25"
- Hardware: Nickel; premium machine heads with white buttons
- Finish: Natural
- Frets: 22
Brand: Epiphone
Model: MB-100 First Pick
SKU: EFB0NACH1
Condition: New
Since 1872, C.A. House Music has been helping musicians across the Ohio Valley find the right gear -- with real advice from a team that actually plays. We're your authorized dealer of all the big names in guitars, keyboards, band instruments, drums, pro audio, and more. With four family-owned and operated locations in Ohio and West Virginia (plus a full online store), you don't have to go far for instruments, lessons, rentals, and repairs. No matter your musical needs, our team of musicians wants to help you Play Music for Life.
