Listen to Bob! If you plan to "noodle" at home around other folks, I'd recommend an open-back banjo and a flannel shirt (to absorb lots of the sound)! A banjo with a resonator gets pretty loud! My Deering Goodtime is pretty loud even though it is open-back; I play fingerpicked and clawhammer and get plenty of volume out of it. Plus, with the resonator, your banjo doubles in weight! BUT, if you are gonna play with a bluegrass band you'd prolly want the banjo with the resonator so you'll be loud enough.