Beginner banjo for $500?
 

I don't know a whole lot about banjos. A couple of friends want to get one for a beginner. Are they any decent banjos for around $500?
Thanks for any suggestions.

I'd go for one of these - function over flash, everything you need and nothing you don't in a beginner instrument, and even some owners of high-buck banjos keep one of these on hand for backup and/or jams:

https://www.deeringbanjos.com/cdn/sh...g?v=1710790001

https://www.deeringbanjos.com/collec...goodtime-banjo

Thanks a lot Steve!

just a bit over your $500 can get the Recording King Madison OT-25. Do check the features of the RK compared to the Deering.

Thanks Rudy!

https://i.postimg.cc/RCcBTDSH/Broster-Clark-19.jpg

You should be able to get a good open back banjo for your budget or less. Think about going second hand. Unlike guitars, most open back banjos are a bolted together collection of bits, easily repaired, adjusted and upgraded.

Unlike a guitar you don't need the "perfect" setup for a banjo to be playable. And I really wouldn't worry about "tone". All the open back banjo players I know (myself included) stuff rags between the neck stick and the skin to get the tone they want. Whether a $5000 banjo sounds "better" than a $500 banjo is a very mute point!!!

All the recordings in my signature were done on a 1910 banjo, that's probably worth $500. And I gigged recently with one from 1895 worth about $150 max and a Gold Tone one worth about $400 second hand (in the photo).

With a bit of tinkering you can get great timbre and playability from just about anything!

ProAudioStar frequently has good deals on Gold Tone banjos, they currently have the CC-OT "package" for $469 (mostly $629 on Reverb)... they sell a lot of these as "B-Stock" or "Used" at times, but I've bought a number of things from them and most have been perfectly fine and brand new.

A little over a year ago I picked up the CC-OT package from them, and I'm really quite impressed with the quality. My mother has a Deering Goodtime, and the Gold Tone feels much higher quality in hand. The Deering is US made, though.

what for?
 

Is it for bloograssy stuff, or so called Celtic stuff .. or old time Jazz etc. Reason I'm saying is that that question should impact on whether they want to go for a 5 string or a 4 string banjer. If americana/bloograssy stuff, then 5 string's yer man. I've a Deering OB Goodtime ... it's okay - does the job perfectly fine. I did have a cobbled together one (Grafton) by a UK builder who unfortunately exists no longer ... that was around the same price (UK) as the Deering, but in my opinion was a better banjo. Pity we're not on the same shores, I'm thinking of selling my 5 stringer and buying a 4 string job (although I've just been ambushed by someone who wants me to play banjo back up on .... wait for it ..... bloody Wagon Wheels:))

Anyway, if I was buying another cheapo, I would definitely go second hand ..

Thank to all for your suggestions, much appreciated!

I have no idea what it's going to be used for, just helping out a friend (who is buying it for a friend) and wanted to give her a few good suggestions.

Thanks again.

I bought a Gold Tone AC-1 early during Covid times for about $180. It's now about $250. It has a composite rim, lightweight, and sounds quite fine, especially for the price. It came perfectly set up -- I was really pleased.

It is neck heavy because the pot is so light, so you really need a strap.

There are some really crummy banjos out there. Do not buy an aluminum "bottle cap" banjo.

https://banjohangout.org is another place to browse.

Having made many open backs over several years I'll ditto that! ;)

As of two days ago, I completed my set of banjos with a third Deering Goodtime; specifically a Goodtime 2 Deco plectrum. I’ve had an open back Goodtime five string since 2016, and Goodtime 2 tenor since 2017.

These instruments are light weight and very well setup from the factory; the plectrum arrived by FedEx and was pretty much in tune right out of the box. Very comfortable to play with great sound. There are numerous videos up with various excellent players using the standard open back five string, fewer with the four string models which is a shame, because there is MUCH more to the banjo than bluegrass and old time country.

These clips will give you some idea of the possibilities with the Goodtime series:

Mean Mary James giving a great rollicking performance on an original tune with the five string open back:

https://youtu.be/4PtEbrwlgT0?si=9ch1UziGX0ZAOwIh

And here’s Ryan Cavanaugh on the Deco Goodtime 2 (resonator)

https://youtu.be/4xy4_7IMXd8?si=Yp3X_d9XUmV1yMrx

With Jack Ray on a Goodtime 2 tenor:

https://youtu.be/nqTrNeO2QoQ?si=fcunytDWbNxMIj1O