Looking to buy a mid-range banjo!

June 3, 2008 3:37 PM

Looking to buy a banjo.

This thread was fairly helpful, but still not too informative.

I'm looking for a mid-level banjo that will last me. I'm an amateur musician and I don't want to pay through the nose, but I also want to buy a banjo that is a good investment and will not require replacement once I realise I'm "serious" (I'm a quick learner).

The Deering in the link is touted, but...to be frank it's rather ugly. Sounds superficial, but I also want to feel good holding the damn thing. I was looking around zzounds and found some interesting looking things but since I'm completely ignorant as to the technical niceties of musical hardware I really have no idea what I'm doing.

Other things: I would like it to possibly have the ability to hook up to an amp, though it's not necessarily required. Though it would give me the possibility to do all sorts of funky ass shit with it, which would definitely be a plus.

Thanks!

posted by Lockeownzj00 to media & arts (13 comments total)

Ah, and my price range is about 200-500$ I would say, though I'd be willing to save for something more worthwhile.
posted by Lockeownzj00 at 3:38 PM on June 3, 2008

Honestly, I went through the same thing about two years ago, and so many people recommended the Deering that I just said "aesthetics be damned" and bought one. And it is sweet for the price. You'll feel good holding it because you sound good playing it.

Curiosity: pickin' or clawhammer?
posted by Shepherd at 3:46 PM on June 3, 2008

Banjo Hut makes their own very decent banjos at very reasonable prices. My husband's banjo is from their Mastercraft line, and it compares very nicely with far more expensive models we saw while shopping, and it was a lot more reasonably priced. I think it was between $250 - $300, whereas comparable models in other brands were closer to $500.

I believe the Goodtime is an open-back model, right? Those are going to differ in tone and construction from the resonator types (the kind with a wooden back piece). Here's a brief article on the difference between the two types. My husband tried a couple open-backs but preferred the sound and feel of a resonator model. It seems that you prefer the appearance of the resonator model, but it's probably a good idea to try both in person and see which sound and feel you like better.
posted by boomchicka at 4:37 PM on June 3, 2008

Elderly Instruments is top notch, great staff, great support/service.
posted by timsteil at 4:37 PM on June 3, 2008

A friend of mine got a Deering a few years ago, and it was pretty nice. A couple of friends and I got into this banjo thing for a while, and we all had them. I played the Deering a little bit, and it seemed pretty well made. I'm no banjo expert by any stretch of the imagination, now. Mine is some off-brand, though I like it quite well. If i were in your shoes, I'd probably get a Deering with a resonator (although an open-back might make a pickup hack easier), or this Epiphone. It looks pretty sweet to me, and they make pretty decent guitars in my opinion.

Once you decide you like it, go for the Mastertone.
posted by Shohn at 4:51 PM on June 3, 2008

Oh: as recommended in the other forum, definitely join the Banjo Hangout forums and ask some questions there. Sometimes some of the older, well-banjoed members will sell off great but under-used instruments, and they also have some danged sweet draws for banjos from time to time. Their classifieds (that search should sort for banjos under $750) are great, particularly when you find some stuff being offered by long-time forum members who are in it for the love of the instrument (and have a reputation to protect).
posted by Shepherd at 5:27 PM on June 3, 2008

I own a Deering Goodtime. You won't find a better banjo for the price. The one factor that really makes it a great banjo (beside its amazingly warm tone) is its weight. Have you played high-end banjos? They're bricks. The Goodtime is light, which makes it extremely comfortable to play and hold for long periods of time. And Since it comes in a open back and resonator models, you can play whatever style you want.

Don't let the cheap look fool you. After a year or so of fingerpicking and frailing, the drum is going to get dirty and you'll relic it up nicely. Be warned: the dark-stained version looks much worse in person than the lighter one. The other 'pretty' banjos in your price range aren't so hot close up, either

I originally bought a Fender banjo that looked great on the rack, but once I got it home I could see the cheap-looking imitation pearl inlays and other fashion blunders. Oh, and it sounded terrible. TERRIBLE. The lesson I learned: stick with banjo brands, not famous guitar names.

As for other options, I like Gold Tone banjos. They sound fairly similar to the Goodtime, but you won't find much of a re-sale market for them. The Goodtime is THE starter banjo. If you don't decide to stick with the banjo, you'll be able to find a first-time banjo buyer looking to dabble. After about 10 minutes of online research, a potential buyer will be steered towards the Goodtime thanks to recommendations from posters on Banjo Hangout. Not to mention the Gold Tone quality isn't even on par with the Goodtime. All you have to do is hold the two and you'll feel a difference. Deering simply makes solid instruments.

Recording King is my absolute favourite brand, but they're out of your price range (and mine).
posted by AdamFlybot at 6:14 PM on June 3, 2008

I'm currently learning banjo as well - I went with the Goodtime. I have to say, it's marvelous. I don't know how to help you with the aesthetics (I find it perfect - it looks like everything a banjo should be), but practically it is probably perfect for your situation. The Goodtime is open-back, but you can get a tone ring and resonator for it (Deering sells a kit), effectively turning it into the Goodtime II. If the look really bugs you, it is worth noting that because of the light wood color it is very easy to customize (and of course the banjo head is a blank slate). Good luck!
posted by daboo at 6:20 PM on June 3, 2008

Deerings and Gold Tones are the most popular suggestions at banjohangout for a first banjo. (They have lots of customer reviews.) If it's the peghead that's bothering you, a Gold Tone Cripple Creek should keep you happy for a few years. You can spice up the sound by trying different bridges--a fairly cost-effective way to get different tones out of the same banjo.

If you're willing to wait and hunt, you might be able to find a nicer model (like the Whyte Ladye) second hand in your price range. Also, if you call Gold Tone (or possibly Deering) and ask them to recommend a dealer in your area, you may be able to get a banjo for significantly less than recommended retail but with the customer support perks of buying from an actual store instead of over the internet. The last time I bought a Gold Tone this way, it was 37% less than list.
posted by Martin E. at 7:03 PM on June 3, 2008

Nthing the Goodtime here, it's the model I learned on. I'd add that you should look around at your local pawn shops a fair bit prior to buying one new. I picked up a used Goodtime in fantastic condition a couple years ago for just over $100 from a local pawn shop.
posted by barnacles at 7:07 PM on June 3, 2008

Old Harmony Resotone banjos are decent, and they turn up on eBay for about $120. Spend $30 at a local repair shop to get the friction 5th peg changed, and all will be joy. I have one set up as a nylon-strung parlour banjo, and it's delightful. They're very light, convert easily between open back and resonator, but don't appreciate being dropped. The neck is very narrow by modern standards, so maybe not the best to learn on.

The Goodtime really is optimized to be the best new banjo for the money. They also have awesome resale value, something that Gold Tones (and Recording King reissues) don't have. You'll also thank Deering for using guitar-style tuners; planetary tuners are basically an abomination. My only complaint about the Goodtime is that it's not really set up to use heavy gauge strings, something that makes old-time playing much more fun.
posted by scruss at 7:29 PM on June 3, 2008

Look into getting a Recording King banjo. I just upgraded to one of these from an awful Austin banjo and am in love. I paid $300 on craigslist after reading some great reviews on banjo hangout. People are saying that these things are going to give the Goodtime banjos a run for their money. They're even slightly more professional-looking than the Goodtime models (I could never get over that cartoonish headstock).
posted by The White Hat at 11:16 AM on June 4, 2008

I just tried a couple of 2008 Goodtimes at Midwest Banjo Camp on the weekend. They seem to be unfinished wood now, and would say that they're slightly over-priced.
posted by scruss at 11:32 AM on June 9, 2008