Which Banjo should I buy...?

[pisces7378]

I am trying to get into playing the banjo. I am from Georgia so I grew up hearing the Banjo however I do not know ANYONE that knows how to play the banjo to ask. There is an Epiphone MB-250 at a local music store here and I went and took a look at it today. I loved it. But it is over $500. It was heavy as hell and I have read up on Banjos and apparently when banjo is heavy as hell like that, it means that there is a goody sturdy brass sound ring inside. There were three other banjos there and they were all MUCH lighter and their action SUCKED. The strings were so high off the neck and the sound was just not there. The Epiphone MB-250 was by far my favorite but it was VERY expensive for just wanting to get started on a banjo. What would be a great banjo to get started with that I won't hate in a year???

Thanks for your help

Mike

[c7sus]

One with good tone and action that you're gonna wanna play.

Just for kicks I'd check out a Deering Goodtime. They're cheap (for a banjo) and have decent tone.

[bgavin]

Call Janet Davis in Arkansas.

Look for janetdavismusic.com

She is a fine banjo player, owns her business, and is a straight shooter. You will probably reach her direct during business hours.

I play an RB-800 Gibson Mastertone. Bought new in 1970. Gold plating absolutely sucks, but I had to accept it to get the better quality wood from the entry model. Banjos can be enormously expensive, but a lot of this is frills. Get one with good maple. Usually only a step or two above entry level.

You can hotrod an existing banjo with tone rings, etc, that make a huge difference in the tone. Nothing fixes a crap neck, except replacement. Spend enough to get a decent one the first time.

[lpdeluxe]

Be sure to get one you like the sound of. I was given a 5-string many years ago & learned to play but I eventually gave it away because I got to where I couldn't stand the sound of it!

[mixmkr]

buy a Deering Goodtime off Ebay for $200 or less. If you want one with a resonator (the back) to be a little louder, you might pay slightly more. Stay away from all the new Asian crap, as that is what it is. When you get serious about a banjo...plan to spend a grand or more to start.

btw...I used to own a Deering Goodtime Special(has a steel tone ring, resonator)...about $450 new if you look around. Plays as good as a top of the line banjo...just lacks in the "pro" sound and volume...but the truss-rod-LESS neck is great. When you get a better banjo, the Goodtimes will be a great knock-around banjo to throw in your car to take to the park, etc...

I now own a Deering Sierra... Plain looks but a killer banjo...as good as any pro banjo (IMO) without all the fancy inlay. Upgraded with a new bridge and a Presto straightline tailpiece...and this sucker HONKS!!! I see them used all the time for $1000 ...plus or minus.