Banjo Recommendations!

[Petty1818]

Hi all,

As the thread name suggests, I am looking to purchase a banjo. However, I have a fairly specific criteria for what I want. Most of my gear (acoustics, electric guitars, amps etc.) are all high end now and it's taken quite some time to get to that level. The one thing I have learned along the way is that when I am new to a new instrument I tend to buy something that is affordable but I quickly realize that I should have done some research and purchased something that's a little higher quality. That often leads to me having to then sell the cheaper instrument and basically start all over.

Anyway, I by no means want a banjo that costs thousands of dollars. What I do want is something that's affordable but that will sound good, have a nice build quality and won't need to be flipped once I learn the instrument. I also play mandolin and bouzouki so through research and purchasing I have come across brands like Trinity College and Kentucky that are made in China/Korea etc. but are excellent instruments and that are used by touring/professional bands. Even in the electric/acoustic guitar world there are brands like Reverend and Seagul that not only offer incredible value, but produce exceptionally well made and sounding instruments.

With that said,what brands are in the banjo world that would be the equivalent of the brands that I mentioned above? I know there are brands like Goldtone and Recording King that make affordable options but are there any specific brands/models that tend to be affordable and get higher praise/reviews?

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

[Dan Carey]

I'd look at the Deering line of banjos. You can't go wrong there!

http://www.deeringbanjos.com/

[ifret]

Check out what Gold Tone has to offer. I have two of their resonator 5-string banjos. Very happy with them.

[Bobby1note]

Go with a "used" hi-end banjo. The market is flooded with them. You get a great banjo, and since it's already been depreciated, the value stays put. Buy from a dealer that can do a good set-up.

I recently bought two banjo's. I wanted a light-weight open-back banjo as a "beater". To that end, I went with a used Deering GoodTime ("The Crow" package). I put a Deering armrest on it, and for less than $380. I got a great banjo for knocking around,,,,, something that's always at arm's reach. It also included a case,,, a tuner,,, and several books that the previous owner had bought.

http://www.elderly.com/new_instrumen...OODCROWPKG.htm

Shortly after buying the GoodTime, I came across a "mint" Deering Calico for roughly 1/2 price. That's normally a $4k. banjo. I decided to take the plunge, simply because I wanted to know what that "world" was all about.

http://www.elderly.com/new_instrumen...sh--CALICO.htm

That said; if you're looking for a "new" off-the-shelf banjo that's economically priced, you might want to have a look at the Gretsch G9420 Broadkaster® "Supreme" 5-STRING with resonator. Street price for those is roughly $899. Again,,,,, buy only from a dealer that can give you a GOOD set-up, and is willing to install capo-tacks. The hardware on that Gretsch G9240 is all nickel. The cheaper Gretsch's are "chrome".

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/G9420Supreme/

From what I understand, the Recording-Kings have really dropped the ball lately, on quality control. If you can find a good one however, that should be a good way to go.

Check out the classified's at Banjohangout.com

[Petty1818]

Thank you for the suggestions so far. I honestly think that I might sit back and wait for a used Deering. I don't know why I don't do this with all instruments but I can probably score a used Deering for 1/2 the price. I don't think I need a super high end model but they have some models in the Professional series that are around $2000-2500. It would be nice if I could score one at $1500.00

[Yrksman]

Are you looking for a resonator banjo or open back? For $1500 you can get a new open back banjo from a number of highly rated builders.

Banjohangout.org is the place to look for advice and many great used banjos,

I have two open backs, a Cedar Mountain A2 and a Wildwood Troubadour. I bought them both used for around half the new price. Check out Mike Ramsey and Chuck Lee as well. Mandolin Brothers usually have some good banjos in stock.

[thunderlung]

Bart Reiter makes a mean open-backed banjo in that range. Also check out Kevin Enoch. I have an Enoch Tradesman and I think that it's great. Check out Elderly's selection for some ideas.

[Bobby1note]

Check out the 12th Fret in Toronto. They do a full set-up, and they often have banjo's coming in on consignment. You can't go by what's posted on their site, because the turnover is too fast for them to keep up, so it's best to call them.

[Yrksman]

Also, of the Deering's I really like the Vega Old Tyme Wonder. Very light with s great plunky sound.

[Steve DeRosa]

Originally Posted by Petty1818

...As the thread name suggests, I am looking to purchase a banjo...I by no means want a banjo that costs thousands of dollars. What I do want is something that's affordable but that will sound good, have a nice build quality and won't need to be flipped once I learn the instrument...

Originally Posted by Dan Carey

I'd look at the Deering line of banjos. You can't go wrong there!

http://www.deeringbanjos.com/

Deering Boston (I've owned two, still have one) - well-made, good-sounding/playing, 4-5 pounds lighter than a tone-ring banjo, competitively priced with many of the high-end Pac-Rim stuff, and when/if you upgrade this one'll still be a keeper for parking-lot picking/practice/anywhere you wouldn't take a $4K+ banjo...

[jaymarsch]

I would add Brooks Masten to the list and suggest that you check out some older used banjos. I purchased an open back 5 string made around 1900 and it is a stellar banjo in every way. The older banjos do not have the scooped fingerboards but that wasn't a deal breaker for me.

The nice thing about Deering and Gold Tone is that they have different models at different price points so lots to choose from in terms of tone and playability.

Good luck in finding the perfect one for you!

Best,
Jayne

[darylcrisp]

i've went thru this exact journey you are starting. what i found for myself:

1) i like a wider fretboard and thicker profile, the deerings were all really small necked for me-cramped my hands and fingers.
2)i found USA made products carried better tuners and setups, and allowed better actions than most imports i encountered
3)based on how much you want to spend, and do you want open back(clawhammer/old tyme style) or bluegrass edge(resonator back)

good USA brands that can be found used:
Enoch Tradesman
Ome(the Taylor of the banjo world IMO)
Jason Mogi (luthier built under $1000, makes GREAT open back banjos)
Chanterelle(http://ramseybanjos.com/) Ramsey makes awesome wide neck open backs.

one of the most honest, down to earth, helpful places i found to buy was Zepps country Music. Donald Zepp is like a national treasure to the banjo world-on his website you can find tons of instructional material and audio of many different brands-likewise lots of youtube video.
he buys/sales new and used banjos:
http://zeppmusic.com/

for listening pleasure and instruction-for openback clawhammer, i highly advise Mary Cox-lots of video on youtube, lots of CD's and instructional songbooks to accompany those CD's

good luck
d

[Mobilemike]

I have a Washburn B17 that I really like - sounds great and feels great and holds its own in my weekly bluegrass jams. Looks beautiful too.

Musicians Friend has them for about $1000 usually - but you can usually find a coupon that will knock the price down quite a bit.

-Mike

[jtc232]

Might also check out thebluegrassshack.com I just bought a fiddle from them and set up all their instruments and are really good people to deal with.

[The Bard Rocks]

Funny, ALL my banjos are vintage, yet my guitars are mostly newer ones. I have been very happy with the vintage banjos and you can often get very good buys on them. Look for (in no particular order) Weymann, Bacon, Dewitt, Vega, Gibson, Farland, Ludwig, Orpheum, Paramount, & SS Stewart....