DVD-quality lessons (including tabs/sheet music) available for immediate viewing on any device.
Take your playing to the next level with the help of a local or online banjo teacher.
Weekly newsletter includes free lessons, favorite member content, banjo news and more.
Premier Sponsors
|
Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/168517
Anthony_N_Ky - Posted - 01/18/2010: 18:20:47
Anyone ever have a banjo under $1000 that you have grown fond of?I know $1000 isn't exactly chump change to alot of us but let's face it, if it's under a grand most think of it as a "cheap" banjo, being that most of the desirable banjo's begin around $2500 or so. My experience with banjo's is very limited, an RK20 & MM Cascade and I just wounder if a banjo under $1000 is out there that a person could be satisfied with for the rest of thier live's.
Grey Dog - Posted - 01/18/2010: 18:22:57
Deering Goodtime.
Beats out a Morgan Monroe and a few Gold Tones in my history.
dubtom - Posted - 01/18/2010: 18:35:26
I have an RK20 too,I like it, nice sound, looks good, would I be satisfied for ever,No. Can't justify to myself or my wife the cost of an expensive one though.
steve davis - Posted - 01/18/2010: 18:50:17
There are lots of good banjos for less than 1000 bucks.
Who chose 2500 as some kind of standard?
mrbook - Posted - 01/18/2010: 19:09:35
All my banjos cost under $1,000, although a couple just barely. When I had neck damage on one, I was told it would cost at least $2,500 to replicate the neck, far more than I paid for the whole banjo. Two were made by small makers and bought used (not always a lot of resale value in such instruments), and I've built two good banjos with less than $1,000 in parts (although more than $500). Many people here speak fondly of - and more importantly, they play - banjos that cost less than $1,000. There are some good banjos over $2,000, or $2,500, but I think I can find several banjos to perform with for less than $1,000. It's not what you spend, but how you play.
1four5 - Posted - 01/18/2010: 19:22:00
My Helix Rocks and my Goodtime Rolls. Both cost less than $500 and both would keep me happy just fine from now on. I would sell my Calico before either of them. I'm just glad I don't have to... it's my indulgence banjo.
Bart Veerman - Posted - 01/18/2010: 19:45:49
The Goldtone xx250s are darn decent and they're under 1k. One I consider in the "steal" category is the Saga kit, it takes a bit of futzen' and putzen' to bolt it all together but their sound is purdy darn awesome. Can't argue much with the approx $200 price tag.
My personal all-time favourite is a suped up Framus, I wouldn't hesitate taking it on stage.
Bart.
mike gregory - Posted - 01/18/2010: 19:56:45
I don't recall the name. Possibly "Emperador".Korean. Bought it third-hand from my nephew. Mike Greylak has it now.
Cost me $35.
The one in my avatar photo is a souped-up Framus. Like the esteemed Mr. Veerman, I am not the least bit hesitant to take it on stage. Have been doing so for around 30 years. Some of the parts were donated, but, even if I had bough tthem, the whole thing wouldn't have cost more than 2 or 300.
xnavyguy - Posted - 01/18/2010: 20:09:27
My initial cost, on my 7 banjos was $585. I've spent a bit of time and money, adding geared 5th string tuners & spikes, straps & gig bags, and other bits but I'm still less than $1000 for all of them. They're all good banjos....easy to play, good tone, volume & overall performance. I don't really have a favorite.
upl8te - Posted - 01/18/2010: 20:13:23
xnavyguy ... you should post a family photo of your banjos. Seven for less than a thousand is awesome!
xnavyguy - Posted - 01/18/2010: 20:28:54
This is a family photo of the first 5, left to right, Global "bottlecap" that I got free, Aria that I converted by adding a home made Helix (tm) rim, Fender FB-58 (most expensive, cost me $400), Iida that cost $30, and a no-name (NeuTuMi) that I traded a bridge for.
This is my open back OhBeeWon, that I built from junk parts that were given to me:
This is my most recent acquisition, an Oscar Schmidt that I picked up for $75:
bbeckner - Posted - 01/18/2010: 20:42:40
"what is (was) your favorite "cheap" banjo"
I bought a Gibson RB250 bow tie in the mid 60's for around $400. That is cheap by todays standards. I wish I still had it. Before that I had a banjo made for me by Art Gariepy. As I recall it was around $300. That was a sweetheart banjo. I wish I still had it. When I was in the Army in Germany I bought a Framus so I could play in a band. It was a nice "cheap banjo." I had to work on it to get it set up for my tasts.
As I get a little "longer in the tooth" the lighter weight (cheaper) banjos are looking more attractive. I think with a little time and elbow grease for set-up any banjo could be my favorite.
Pluckin Mutha - Posted - 01/18/2010: 20:48:29
quote:
Originally posted by Anthony_N_Ky
Anyone ever have a banjo under $1000 that you have grown fond of?I know $1000 isn't exactly chump change to alot of us but let's face it, if it's under a grand most think of it as a "cheap" banjo, being that most of the desirable banjo's begin around $2500 or so. My experience with banjo's is very limited, an RK20 & MM Cascade and I just wounder if a banjo under $1000 is out there that a person could be satisfied with for the rest of thier live's.
dustinTN - Posted - 01/18/2010: 21:03:48
I play a Gold Tone BG-250 bought used for $400. Definitely qualifies as a cheaper banjo, even at full retail. Nevertheless, I recently replaced the tailpiece and bridge (and upped the string gauge) and it sounds like a different banjo. The volume must have increased by at least 30%. I also love Goodtimes and think they are buttery smooth to play. That said, I'm a newbie so my opinion is based on very limited experience (though I did play a Gibson recently and found my intonation suffered greatly as compared to cheap 'jos - especially the Goodtime.)
Ronnie - Posted - 01/18/2010: 21:17:25
My very first 5 string. A $40 '50's Kay. WIRJ 740 AM radio, Humboldt TN during the 1960's. Sound waves still floating around in the ozone, I guess. I still have that old banjo and play it once in a while for old times' sake.
Edited by - Ronnie on 01/18/2010 21:54:12
gradelyduck - Posted - 01/19/2010: 02:01:59
My most expensive banjo to date is an Ozark2141g, £250/ $400 approx. Everyone who has picked it says it is a cracking instrument. I dunno where folks get the idea you have to pay an arm and a leg for a"good" banjo.
banjobilly32 - Posted - 01/19/2010: 05:50:54
I have a 17 fret Slingerland which I obtained as a gift from one of my friends. I refurbished it and added Planet pegs and a new Ren head. I probably have $75 and some time in it.
It sits out in the open in my living room and gets caressed regularly! Very light and responsive.
bbjork - Posted - 01/19/2010: 08:43:24
My 1979 Ode style C cost me $995, got it about 15 years ago from Elderly. I got a good deal.
5stringpicker2 - Posted - 01/19/2010: 09:26:16
My Alvarez Montana 5 Star 76 vintage was my favorite Banjo under $1,000 my favorite over $1,000 was My Stelling Bellflower 76 vintage also.
Right now I own a mid to late 60s Vega, 2 Harmony Bakelites and a Hondo II
(I )===='---<::)
MarkRough - Posted - 01/19/2010: 09:49:03
My first and alltime favorite banjo is an old bakelite pot Harmony my dad gave me about a dozen years back.
herb - Posted - 01/19/2010: 12:00:00
Back when I was in college I hardly had a dime to my name (who am I kidding, I still dont!) so it was really whatever my father had is what I used. He got both of his banjos (a Peerless and some weird mystery banjo that I still cant ID) when he was a poor college student too, so they werent of the best quallity but they gave my father and I 20+ years of enjoyment so it was worth the $150 spent for the both of 'em. When I joined my first bluegrass band I noticed the necks starting to bow a little bit more than usual and the then came the buzzing, so i fixed them up and decided that it was time for me to get myself my own gig banjo and give the old work horses a break for a little while. I found a used S-101 open back for $80 so I picked it up and started plinkin away ever since and it hasnt done me wrong yet. ive played it hard almost every day for 2.5-3years, leaving it basically open to the elements in the worst New England conditions, and the worst I've had to do is tighten the head once. Its not quite in the $1000 range, and its definatly not worth even half that, but it sounds pretty good, it plays nice and easy and by far the best cheep banjo that I've ever played.
Adam "Herb" LeClair
fivedrive5 - Posted - 01/19/2010: 12:31:39
It was a Saga SS-3 Aluminium pot believe it or not, sounded good not to have a wood rim and regular tone ring!
dubtom - Posted - 01/19/2010: 15:40:00
quote:
Originally posted by Bart Veerman
The Goldtone xx250s are darn decent and they're under 1k. One I consider in the "steal" category is the Saga kit, it takes a bit of futzen' and putzen' to bolt it all together but their sound is purdy darn awesome. Can't argue much with the approx $200 price tag.
My personal all-time favourite is a suped up Framus, I wouldn't hesitate taking it on stage.
Bart.
chickenpickin - Posted - 01/19/2010: 16:08:17
My Morgan Monroe MGB-1. Paid $450.00 and then changed some parts to upgrade. It is my only banjo and probably will continue to be my only banjo for a while. It's a pretty good sounding banjo these days but I would like to have a Yates or a Sullivan someday.
Tim
http://purcellbanjobridges.com
TL - Posted - 01/19/2010: 16:29:37
I also started with an old Kay open back I bought at Kagan & Gaines in Chicago in 1965 for $40 (who knows how old it was by then). It was my first 5-string. Everthing that has happened to be, bluegrass-wise, since then has the Kay to thank!
Mr. Disco - Posted - 01/19/2010: 17:17:59
If I won the lottery I bet I could enjoy a day at each of a few stores in Arkansas, Michigan, and Kentucky. -- Probably wanna buy a banjo in each of them. I'd've paid less than the $150 I did for my Iida if I could've found one cheaper, but thank God I bought it when I did. -- Ain't got $150 spare change these days and I'm still excited about that banjo.
Besides, I keep things in perspective. I've owned at least two maybe three cars that cost me less than my banjo as it is.
banjodad1 - Posted - 01/19/2010: 20:03:57
I purchased my first banjo in 1981 for $596, a Gold Star. That has to be my favorite less expensive banjo. I also bought a Silvertone for 75 bucks that was a piece of junk but I built up my finger strength trying to play it. Nowadays, I'll play the Deering Goodtime at Guitar Center, that's a nice banjo for the price.
Bigbike4 - Posted - 01/19/2010: 21:47:25
My favorite under $1000 banjo-well could be my SSStewart "the student" that I paid $200 for., or maybe it is my Morgan Monroe Foggy Mountain Appalachian mdX4 that I paid just over $700 new for, or maybe it is my Gold Tone "White Layde" open back that I paid in the $500 neighborhood for. 2 of the three are seen in my avatar photo.
mybote - Posted - 01/20/2010: 06:06:46
Hey, Mike Gregory,
I still own an Emperador. I picked it up in San Diego years ago for 135.00. Has a 2 piece flange and is currently converted to an open back. It's the banjo I use to experiment with different parts and setups.
troy_nov1965 - Posted - 01/20/2010: 08:05:25
i only have one cheap banjo and it isnt my favorite lol........but id say for under a grand it would be hard to beat the new Sullivan jam series open backs, i was saving up to buy me a Deering Vega but i think i might get me a Clawhammer Jam.
Lonestar Newb - Posted - 01/20/2010: 08:28:24
quote:
Originally posted by banjodad1
Nowadays, I'll play the Deering Goodtime at Guitar Center, that's a nice banjo for the price.
Feo - Posted - 01/20/2010: 08:40:59
When I was younger I picked up my original Dobson banjo at a flea market for $ 25
Its a really cool banjo , a piece of history ...
Odd thing though, ... I never run across deals like that anymore 
Catman - Posted - 01/20/2010: 09:22:08
I still have the Framus banjo that my grandfather gave to me that I learned on. About ten years ago I had a friend of mine set it up which included a new bridge and tail piece. I agree with Bart Veerman that if they are "suped up" they sound pretty awesome. I still play mine on occassion especially at jams.
dfwest - Posted - 01/20/2010: 14:57:31
My first banjo was a cheapo Gretsch that I paid too much for in 1972 or so ($150). Still, I loved the heck out of it and learned a lot.
bbjork - Posted - 01/26/2010: 07:11:34
My first Banjo was a Vega Ranger purchased around 1968 for about $250 while I was in the Navy. It was stolen in 1970. I bought it from a Navy Pilot by the name of John Sommers who wrote the song "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" which John Denver recorded and allowed John Sommers to retire on the royalties.
edsnyder - Posted - 01/26/2010: 07:30:22
My Saga- SS10 that I bought several years ago from Chuck at Ome. I have/had others since, but play this one more than any other.
Ed e
Kevin B - Posted - 01/26/2010: 12:47:07
I would have to say this Stweart MacDonald Diamond Eagle flathead. The full on Mastertone style top quality parts were shipped to my door for $316 in 1981. I spent a little along the way just messing with it. When this picture was taken I had an original Price tailpiece on it.
Edited by - Kevin B on 01/26/2010 12:47:51
BoneDigger - Posted - 01/26/2010: 12:55:35
Both of my present banjos were under $1000 and I generally like them very much.
Goodtime Classic: $350
Alvarez Denver Belle: $450, plus added a few "things" so presently have maybe $700 in it.
Both are good sounding banjos, although I may upgrade the Alvarez for a Gibson or Stelling soon.
Todd
jethrobodine - Posted - 01/26/2010: 13:11:22
1985 ESS bought from Mike Casey in about 1988 for $950
1998 Deering Boston (well under 1k) recently purchased from Dan Pennington after alot of arm twisting and wrangling 
scott
bosborne - Posted - 01/26/2010: 18:13:18
quote:
Originally posted by Anthony_N_Ky
Anyone ever have a banjo under $1000 that you have grown fond of?I know $1000 isn't exactly chump change to alot of us but let's face it, if it's under a grand most think of it as a "cheap" banjo, being that most of the desirable banjo's begin around $2500 or so. My experience with banjo's is very limited, an RK20 & MM Cascade and I just wounder if a banjo under $1000 is out there that a person could be satisfied with for the rest of thier live's.
doug.knecht - Posted - 01/27/2010: 09:12:49
Epiphone Masterbuilt tube/flange 5-string banjo. Great instrument for the money ($500-$600)
pstroud1 - Posted - 01/27/2010: 19:54:55
Aria,,,I traded a fender Leo for and have enjoyed it for years. I had about $600 in the Leo.
I understand you can pick up used Aria's for a couple of hundred now.
I think it's mostly in the set up. Glad I have a cheap one I can tinker with at times to make it sound better.
vfhamilton - Posted - 01/28/2010: 04:28:39
I'm a little suprised that no one has mentioned a Harmony ResoTone. Now there is a good CHEAP banjo.
If you put a remo head, waverly tail piece and decent bridge on them they will ring good and stand up in
a jam.
That was my first banjo and I still have it. It's great to grab up for a quick practice session and leave the
heavy one in the case.
As for Mastertone style banjos, My old Leo would be hard to beat. Again, with a bridge, head, and tail piece
change.
jahenbo - Posted - 01/28/2010: 05:54:10
I'm a newbie. I have never even picked up a banjo that cost over $1000. I play a Mastercraft and everyone who hears it says it sounds great. I have played guitar for many years and as far a I am concerned the action on this jo is great. Anyway it works for me and their price is great. Mine was under 400 actually I think it was right at 300.
Jay
Keep on Pickin'
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Privacy Consent (EU/GDPR Only)
Copyright 2026 Banjo Hangout. All Rights Reserved.
