Name: Kavanjo™ Banjo Pickup
Brand: Kavanjo™
SKU: PU-K MC4
Price: 299.0 USD
Availability: OutOfStock

$299.00

How many strings does your banjo have?

Head Crown Height

High Crown (Goodtime Banjos) Top Frosted

Medium Crown - Top Frosted

Medium Crown - Bottom Frosted

High Crown (Goodtime Banjos) Bottom Frosted

Low stock - 1 item left
Inventory on the way

The Kavanjo Banjo Pickup System is a magnetic humbucking pickup and jack suspended from a customized mylar head. This is the newest and we believe the most effective way to amplify ANY banjo, while maintaining the instruments authentic characteristics.

Use your own banjo! Requires no pre-amp! Made in the USA!
Everything is in the head so just change the head and you have a pickup installed!

"The banjo is a fairly loud instrument acoustically but very difficult to amplify. Through a mic the banjo often sounds harsh and thin. Most banjo pickups over emphasize the treble tone of the instrument and miss the tonal depth. The Kavanjo pickup gets it just right....your banjo only louder! When I am playing a concert with Doc Watson we often play for 2000 people, sometimes and many as 250,000. A mic just won't deliver the full tonal range of the banjo when it is cranked for giant audiences. Even in these extreme situations the Kavanjo performs perfectly. It allows me to keep the banjo in the mix even when Doc is plugged in and at high volume.

Thank goodness there is finally a great pickup that amplifies the tonal warmth and power of the banjo!″ - David Holt

Head diameter: 11 inches

MODIFICATION: Please note that if you intend to fit a Kavanjo to a Deering Upperline model with a flange-mounted jack, some modification to the interior side wall of the resonator may be required. Please contact us for specific information.

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23 Reviews

21 Questions \ 21 Answers

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Reviews (23)
Questions (21)

Updating Results

03/28/25

M K.

09/20/24

Kavanjo Pickup is a Great Option

Fantastic option for amplifying my Eagle II open back 5-string. Very loud and still natural. And stable like no other pickup I’ve used. It has made my banjo the most stage-worthy 5-string I’ve ever owned.

Jeffrey S.

05/28/24

Kavanjo Pickup on Golden Era

Sounds good but more feedback than I would like so can’t crank the amp too much. No volume control knob so had to use a volume pedal. Easy to install if you know how to change a banjo head

Steve T.

10/29/23

Kavanjo

Sounds great through Bose S1 pro (mini PA) and through vintage Gibson amp (1950s BR6).

This was my first time performing a banjo head change. Carole at Deering was EXTREMELY helpful as were the tech videos on Deering’s website.

Thanks all. I am new to the banjo but have been playing guitar for 35 years. Deering is my home base ...Read More

for banjo needs. Read Less

Neil B.

08/09/22

Haven't recieved my purchase.

Can't actually review the Kavanjo because it hasn't arrived yet.

Matthew V.

09/09/21

I’m very impressed with the

I’m very impressed with the sound. Fairly easy to install. Just wish it had a volume control that could be mounted on the banjo.

Dan T.

09/01/21

Great pickup …great pickup maker

I don’t recommend this output jack on the head of the banjo. If you play in church one time a year this is you. If not get the other kind ( output jack not on banjo head )

Everyone knows this is a bad idea ..including the maker.

Mark h.

03/06/20

Much improved tone

For years I used a popular brand pickup on my Maple Blossom. I never cared for the tone and constantly had to deal with feedback despite packing t-shirts between the resonator and the head. The Karvanjo pickup delivers a real banjo sound that had been missing. The feedback issue has been greatly reduced and is really not an issue. It’s finally fun...Read More

to play plugged in. Read Less

Stephen W.

04/20/18

Kavanjo pickup head for Deering Goodtime 2

The Goodtime 2 was my first banjo, but it hasn’t got much use since I had a custom White Swallow built for me. I thought a Kavanjo head might give the Goodtime a new purpose in life, and first impressions are good. I use a Goldtone clamp-on instrument mic on the White Swallow. That’s a plain vanilla option – faithful amplification with nothing add...Read More

ed. The Kavanjo pickup on the other hand adds not just volume but also sustain and more bottom end to the Goodtime. It will be fun to play I think. Installation was a breeze thanks to John Kavanaugh's detailed videos on YouTube – about 2 hours including a string change. Read Less

Chris A.

11/06/17

Kavanjo Banjo Pickup

The Kavanjo pickup system is a fantastic product. The amplified sound of the Kavanjo pickup is very clean and crisp, no feedback, no hum problems at all! The instructions that came with the Kavanjo system are easy to understand and follow during the installation.

Richard C.

09/20/17

Kavanjo Banjo Pickup

My Eagle II always has a nice sweet sound to it. With the new Kavanjo Banjo Pickup head it still sounds sweet, but now it’s amplified it’s awesome.

Molly M.

05/17/17

Very easy to install, sounds

Very easy to install, sounds great, very happy!

William P.

04/11/17

so far i'm happy with

so far i'm happy with it. No issues. I thought I would need a volume control but it doesn't seem necessary at present.

Sudjono U.

03/19/16

I order to satisfy

Thank you my order arrived, I'm happy

Jason F.

02/26/16

Yeah dunno...

I recently bought this pickup and had it installed at my local music store. It is an extremely quiet pickup, I have to have the amp or PA cranked before I can hear it over the natural acoustic volume of the instrument. That being said, the volume and tone of the banjo has changed since the pickup was installed. Its not as loud as before and the to...Read More

ne has changed for the worse. Lastly, there is a deep low end sound every time I pick or tap the head whilst playing. Maybe I have received a faulty pickup or the installation of the pickup was not done correctly? I really want to love it.... but I just cant. Read Less

Deering Banjos

03/01/16

Jason,
It sounds like the head tension is off on your installation. Please contact john@kavanjo.com for more advise. What you are experiencing is not the pickup but the installation issues. Your ground wire may not be connected securely and the acoustic tone should be fine if your head tension is right. Please contact John Kavanaugh for more help or me at carolinabridges@deeringbanjos.com.

Eric F.

01/24/16

Finally!

I have tried 3 different pickups trying to get my Goodtime amplified through our PA. All have either caused a ton of feedback, or uneven inconsistent sound quality. Not with the Kavanjo! Finally a solution that sounds great and really brings out the full tone of the Goodtime in an amplified setting.

Larry A.

01/06/15

It sounds good,But the feedback

It sounds good,But the feedback is still there not as bad but still there

Iago M.

10/23/14

Amazing!!!!!! very recommended

Scott G.

10/07/14

Love it. Works great, sounds

Love it. Works great, sounds like my Good time 2 classic. No feedback issues

Brendan K.

08/27/14

Excellent, just set it up

Excellent, just set it up today and it sounds awesome!!!

WR T.

06/11/14

Not much volume!

I recently installed the Kavanjo pickup on a customers Deering banjo. The customer is only marginally happy it doesn't have the same volume as the pick up that he had on his banjo previously. Is it possible that the head is not tight enough? How do you tune the head or what is the recommended head pressure? Any ideas are appreciated thank you in a...Read More

dvance. Read Less

Reis H.

03/25/17

Q: Hello, Will this head fit on my Vega Little Wonder?(it has a 11 inch rim)

Deering Banjos

03/31/17

A: Yes, it will fit but you need to know your crown height. If you have a 2006 or newer Little Wonder, order a medium crown; otherwise if older choose the high crown option.

Bruno T.

02/25/17

Q: Hi, I can mount this skin for my EAGLEII? Thank you!

Deering Banjos

03/02/17

A: Yes, order a medium crown.

Eric F.

12/28/16

Q: What is the process for moving this pick up over to a new head, if say the head becomes worn or damaged?

Deering Banjos

02/18/17

A: The Kavanjo comes with an Allen wrench for removal; you would loosen the poles and transfer the pickup over to a new head with holes already in it. The replacement head is $45.

Johan B.

07/15/16

Q: Do these only come in a white coat or do you provide various head options?

Deering Banjos

07/21/16

A: You can choose the head type by calling the toll free number, 800-845-7791. We can customize it at no upcharge.

Bill C.

06/11/16

Q: Which pickup would I need for my B6-E Boston? I understand that the only after market jack is through the head and not the body. Is that correct?

Deering Banjos

07/11/16

A: Yes, the after-market version of the Kavanjo will have the jack in the head. If you banjo was made prior to 2006, choose the high crown; if after 2006 then medium crown.

Paul

06/06/16

Q: Do you have one available for left handers?

Deering Banjos

07/11/16

A: They are each made custom....just make sure you order it accordingly.

Eric F.

01/09/16

Q: Will this pick up work well without a resonator installed?

Deering Banjos

03/01/16

A: Yes...the jack is mounted it to banjo head itself so it works the same for both resonator and openback banjos.

Johnathan J.

12/15/15

Q: Will this work with the Deering Goodtime Banjo Ukulele? Are there other options?

Deering Banjos

03/01/16

A: No...the uke has nylon strings and the kavanjo needs steel strings for the humbucker magnetic pickup coils. You need a piezo pickup for that and you can get one by calling the factory about this. Tll free number is 800-845-7791.

Richard D.

11/23/15

Q: Do you sell the velcro output option for the goodtime 11" openback?

Deering Banjos

11/25/15

A: No, only the head mounted jack style.

Piero ).

10/24/15

Q: I need a pick-up for the banjo deering sierra.
Is the KAVANJO™ BANJO PICKUP the right one ?
If yes I will order it.
Waiting for an answer ,
best regards.
Piero

Deering Banjos

11/14/15

A: Yes, it is a good pickup for all of our banjos. Just remember to order the right crown height; if 2006 or newer you want medkum crown; of older, use high crown for easier installation.

Alain D.

10/22/15

Q: Hey,
Does the kavanjo banjo pickup suitable for playing Dixieland jazz with tenor banjo?
With kavanjo, we can play without sound amplifier?
Thank's

Deering Banjos

11/13/15

A: Yes, the kavanjo pickup sounds great for Dixieland tenor banjo playing. You can plug it in directly to the P.A. if you would like, but you will have more control over your tone if you use a guitar amp.

Donna

10/06/15

Q: Will this fit my gold tone banjo?
What's the high/medium crown?

Deering Banjos

11/14/15

A: It is a standard 11" diameter head. You need to know which crown your banjo head is to be sure you order the right one. Check with Goldtone to find out for sure if it is high or medium crown. The crown height is measured from the top edge of the aluminum rim of the banjo head to the top edge of your banjo head; 1/2" for high crown; 7/16th for medium crown.

Joe

09/23/15

Q: I bought the Kavanjo for my Classic Goodtime II and had it installed today. Are there any recommended amps to pair with my Kavanjo head?

Deering Banjos

11/17/15

A: We usually recommend that you take the banjo down to your local dealer and try out the amps there. It is compatible with many models but hearing it will help you make a better decison.

Erik B.

08/24/15

Q: I have a Deering Deluxe Tenor banjo (4 string). Which Kavanjo Banjo Pickup is the right one for me ...?

Deering Banjos

11/14/15

A: High crown, frosted top head; 11" diameter.

Larry s.

08/11/15

Q: which amplifier(s) do you recommend with the kavanjo pickup - want a small and lightweight one but with enough power to play hear over drums

Deering Banjos

11/14/15

A: Contact john@kavanjo.com and he will be happy to help you with that question.

Paul R.

05/19/15

Q: Does the 1/4 inch cable plug directly into the head? I've seen it run through the sound holes and I would prefer that setup if possible.

Deering Banjos

11/18/15

A: In the after-market it comes through the head.

John

03/21/15

Q: My good time went completely under in hurricane Katrina but all that seems to have suffered was the slight separation of the tone ring. Is that a part I can purchase?

Deering Banjos

11/17/15

A: You must mean the rim. You can buy a new rim by calling the factory at 800-845-7791 and ti would cost $125 plus shipping.

Jos

03/19/15

Q: Hallo,
Do you sell also Kavanjo Banjo Pickups Terry Beaucom banjo models?
because that type of banjo has more spacing between the strings
greetings Jos

Deering Banjos

11/18/15

A: The standard 5-string Kavanjo should work ok.

Kenneth L.

11/15/14

Q: I have a maple blossom and am considering getting a pickup to plug for the occasional performance. How much does this head change the sound of the banjo when I'm just playing with the boys and it is not plugged in or hooked up to an amp? Thanks

Deering Banjos

11/18/15

A: Very little change. You will be good both acoustically and amplified.

John

09/27/14

Q: I have a 1954 Gibson RB-250 Archtop. Which model Kavanjo will i need?

Deering Banjos

11/19/15

A: medium crown should work.

Kavanjo™ Banjo Pickup

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