you know...we haven't really asked you what kind of banjo music you will be playing, and I guess kinda assumed it would be Scuggs style bluegrass....at least I did. Also, will you want it just for practice to get the chops back and/or will you being using it to play with others....since bluegrass jams seem pretty popular and easy to find.
One thing about the Deering Boston and the Deering Sierra...
first off...let me tell you about tone rings... That is the part that the head is streached over, and transmits the sound. Basically, cheaper banjos do not have them. There is one popular banjo that has one made out of wood, called the Deering John Hardy, but is pretty expensive.....gives a darker kinda sound.
But..to me when I think of "snappy banjo" sounds, I equate it to pellets hitting of a big brass bell...with limited sustain.... a nice "ping" to it.
Ok...back to the Boston and the Sierra. The Boston is more a budget banjo, just verging on pro level...to a degree. It has a steel tone ring, and conventional guitar tuners... which btw, you will see on cheaper banjos too...even though they are easier to tune with with higher gear ratios.....like an 16:1 for guitar tuners and 4:1 for banjo STAIGHTLINE planatary tuners. The Sierra, being the bottom of the heap in a PRO banjo uses a brass bell tone ring, like all the more expensive banjos. Generally they are all brass, and each company more or less raves about their tone rings, how they were made,etc... since they are such an important part of the sound in BLUEGRASS music.
As mentioned, the upper end Goldtone stuff is ok too, but really not as popular as an axe a "real" banjo player would use. I might equate them to some of the more quality Korean guitars on the market nowadays. Now, I use the word "real" because MOST serious players have a couple grand in their instrument. Names like Stelling (really bright), Deering (famous American made instruments...especially its beginner line with the Goodtimes), and of course the ubiquitous Gibson name....probably the most popular, with the prewar models being the holy grail of modern bluegrass sound.
I would say, without hesitation, all the sub $1000 with fancy ornamation on it is money wasted on looks, and some of it is just fake and cheap.
In all honesty, at this point, I think I would recommend a Deering Goodtime banjo (with or without the resonator...the "back" of the banjo...makes it help project fowards, giving it the illusion of being louder). You can get one for about $250, they will have NO TRUSS ROD..but not to worry, the necks are perfect...but skinny to some. The Goodtimes are GREAT players, but look kinda unconventional to most. IF and WHEN you want to upgrade, you'll easily get your money back out of it...or better yet!! ...keep it as a "throw in the car" banjo that you take camping, to the park, etc.
Anyway, without you really knowing about banjos, I'd be a little hesitant to drop some serious money on them before you knew what you REALLY wanted. Banjos are much more "hotrodded" than guitars, imo...and may even want a custom built one for $2000+ when it is all said and done. ..and instrument that'll fit you like a glove, is YOUR sound and you'll keep FOREVER.
Even with a new GREAT banjo, you might switch bridges, tailpieces, and don't ask about setting up a banjo at this point!!
Good luck...and you've now been inducted back into the world of the worst musician jokes on the planet... banjo player jokes!!
