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Old 01-11-2018, 11:20 AM
ataylor ataylor is offline
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Default Inexpensive 12” banjos?

I played a 12” Deering Goodtime Americana last week and really enjoyed it. Seems like a good entry point for someone like myself that is coming from guitar and intends to use the banjo to add some additional color, primarily rhythmic and chordal, to recordings. That and just to enjoy playing from time to time.

While I think this banjo seems like an excellent instrument at its price point, is there anything else with a 12” rim that costs less? I ask only because I’ve been able to find a couple other really nice “secondary” instruments in the sub-$200 price range, a Gretsch ukulele and a Seagull Merlin dulcimer. I’d love a 12” banjo to come in at a similar sum, but maybe that’s wishful thinking.

Any suggestions?
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Old 01-11-2018, 12:41 PM
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BoneDigger BoneDigger is offline
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Gold Tone make a CC Carlin 12 inch banjo, and it might be a bit cheaper. That's about all I can come up with.
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Old 01-11-2018, 02:17 PM
ataylor ataylor is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BoneDigger View Post
Gold Tone make a CC Carlin 12 inch banjo, and it might be a bit cheaper. That's about all I can come up with.
Thanks! I’ll have to keep my eye out for that one to compare it. I’m guessing finding something under $300 is probably not gonna happen since the 12” rim seems to be more of a specialty than a standard.
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Old 01-11-2018, 02:32 PM
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Originally Posted by ataylor View Post
Thanks! I’ll have to keep my eye out for that one to compare it. I’m guessing finding something under $300 is probably not gonna happen since the 12” rim seems to be more of a specialty than a standard.
Probably so. Honestly though, I had an Americana for a while and didn't find it varied from the 11 inch standard Goodtime all that much. You can get those used for much cheaper. You might want to compare the two before deciding.
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Last edited by BoneDigger; 01-11-2018 at 03:38 PM.
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Old 01-13-2018, 09:17 AM
ataylor ataylor is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BoneDigger View Post
Probably so. Honestly though, I had an Americana for a while and didn't find it varied from the 11 inch standard Goodtime all that much. You can get those used for much cheaper. You might want to compare the two before deciding.
Good call, thanks for the suggestion. It may be that I should just go for something a bit more straightforward to start out on and then go for a really cool 12” banjo later on if I like the instrument enough.
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Old 01-13-2018, 09:40 AM
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If you are looking for something slightly more plunky, you might consider a Recording King RK O25 or an RK OT25. I have one of both and I would choose them over a Goodtime. Plus, they are cheaper. They have a trussrod, which the Goodtime doesn't have, 24 brackets and hooks, etc. Plus standard banjo tuners vs guitar tuners. Both have no tonering, like the Goodtime, but to me you just get so much more for your money. In fact, I might be willing to sell one of mine now that I'm upgrading. Either way, I'd take the RK over the Goodtime.
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Old 01-17-2018, 11:28 AM
wcguitar wcguitar is offline
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Default I have a Prust Tackhead 13"...

Eric makes great inexpensive basic fretless banjos. I love mine. I
have the basic tack head model with burned in fret markers (no actual
frets) and updated mechanical tuners (on request). Very well built
and good looking. He is great to work with and will send pics of your
banjo during the build. When I bought mine a few years ago he
wouldn't even accept payment until a couple of weeks after I had
the banjo, he gave you a chance to preview it, I don't think he does
that anymore but he is very good to deal with...
http://www.chloesgarden.com/Banjos%2...Web/Banjos.htm

I reread the thread and this type of banjo is probably not what you are
looking for but I still like the old time style a lot and someone else might
want to check these out...

Last edited by wcguitar; 01-17-2018 at 12:29 PM.
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Old 01-17-2018, 01:43 PM
roylor4 roylor4 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wcguitar View Post
Eric makes great inexpensive basic fretless banjos. I love mine. I
have the basic tack head model with burned in fret markers (no actual
frets) and updated mechanical tuners (on request). Very well built
and good looking. He is great to work with and will send pics of your
banjo during the build. When I bought mine a few years ago he
wouldn't even accept payment until a couple of weeks after I had
the banjo, he gave you a chance to preview it, I don't think he does
that anymore but he is very good to deal with...
http://www.chloesgarden.com/Banjos%2...Web/Banjos.htm

I reread the thread and this type of banjo is probably not what you are
looking for but I still like the old time style a lot and someone else might
want to check these out...
Thanks for posting this, my wife will be pulling the trigger on one next week, I think. A great find for an affordable hand-made piece.
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  #9  
Old 01-17-2018, 02:06 PM
wcguitar wcguitar is offline
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Default Prust Tackhead...

Quote:
Originally Posted by roylor4 View Post
Thanks for posting this, my wife will be pulling the trigger on one next week, I think. A great find for an affordable hand-made piece.
I don't know how Eric can make and sell these at that price but I am glad that he does. I listened to your clips and really like your sound. On a side note from the banjo topic, I have a 4 string cigar box guitar and am learning some slide blues on it...great fun, another inexpensive home crafted instrument.
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Old 01-17-2018, 02:38 PM
roylor4 roylor4 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wcguitar View Post
I don't know how Eric can make and sell these at that price but I am glad that he does. I listened to your clips and really like your sound. On a side note from the banjo topic, I have a 4 string cigar box guitar and am learning some slide blues on it...great fun, another inexpensive home crafted instrument.
Thanks. I used to make CBG's, but got tired of the selling process. Made 30-40 of them. Lot's of fun for very little $.
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