The Banjo Balance Buddy is the banjo leg rest that supports the banjo while providing player comfort. The Balance Buddy shifts the banjo’s balancing point closer to the center line of the player’s body. This shift allows the banjo to sit comfortably on the player’s thigh with reduced need for support from the player’s fretting hand (reduced neck dive). This added support allows the fretting hand more freedom for playing and decreases shoulder fatigue. For many players, the Balance Buddy also prevents the banjo’s rim hardware from poking into their legs and ribs.
Orders from within the United States (lower 48) can be placed using the buy buttons below. For ALL orders outside the lower 48 states, please contact me to explore shipping to your destination. Bulk and custom orders – please use the contact form.
Purchase the standard Banjo Balance Buddy for open back banjo here:
Purchase the Banjo Balance Buddy with thick end here:
Go from this…
To this…
The Balance Buddy clips onto the existing brackets (tension hooks) of most banjos without modification to the instrument and allows a variety of positions. The Balance Buddy comes in a variety of configurations:
- Standard for Open Back Banjos- Long and wide with a metal clip on one end and a Velcro strap on the other is the most popular option for open back banjos. Experiment with the metal clip and Velcro strap to find your preference. The metal clip can be removed with a Philips screwdriver. Width is about one and three eighths inches.
- Long and wide with thick end and Velcro is the most popular option for resonator banjos
Custom Options
- Custom widths and lengths are available – please use the Contact Form to get in touch with your specifications. Average cost for custom orders is $35 plus shipping.
- Long and narrow – lower profile
- Short and wide – for just a little support
- Short and narrow – low profile, minimal support
- Thick end – The clip end is thick and acts as a spacer for resonator banjos
- Attaches with a metal hook or Velcro strap – no modifications to the banjo needed – the metal clip is a bit more rigid than the Velcro strap
How to Attach the Balance Buddy
- From a seated position, hold the banjo in playing position
- Lay the banjo flat on the lap with the strings facing up
- Attach the Balance Buddy to one of the banjo’s hooks with the fastener toward the tail of the banjo, as shown below
- Experiment with attaching the Balance Buddy to different hooks to find the best balancing point for your banjo
