BANJO TONY - Posted - 06/27/2011:  14:54:44

who do you think makes the lowest price American banjo that sounds good & what store gives you the best price.

The Old Timer - Posted - 06/27/2011:  16:54:17

Very hard to answer your question without knowing what is your minimum expectation for the sound/power/beauty of your banjo.

Deering Goodtime is the lowest priced new American banjo, but it's not something a pro would play in a bluegrass band, it's a learner's instrument.

Next step up for price/value in an American made banjo would be vintage/used Fender Artists, Baldwin/Ode Model C, or VEGA Pro, Scruggs or VIP from the 1960s to the 1970s.

Next rank would be pro quality new bluegrass instruments from American Made Banjo, the Kel Kroydon line.

Above that in pricing you find all kinds of new and used Gibsons, luthier banjos like Cox, Hatfield, Huber, Neat, Nechville, Yates, etc. etc. etc. Also Ome, and Deering's better models.

More choices today than there ever have been.

Goldstarman - Posted - 06/27/2011:  18:01:03

Ok, to fit that criteria I would go with the AMB companies affordable banjo series. They have a kk-250 thats 1899 I think. I own the next one up a KK-3 (pretty much same banjo but has no rings in the reso and slightly different inlay) The banjo is a monster banjo and I dont know of any other american made banjo thats close for this price, Ive owned over 70 high end banjos because i like to try them all out...lol.....but these are as good as Hubers, Stellings, Gibsons, and Sullivans etc.........about half the price! Just look in the classified section here on the hangout under the name Kel Kroydon

DeanT - Posted - 06/27/2011:  19:31:28

In this economy, I have to go with used Deerings. Pro level Deerings are starting to hit the $1000 and even lower mark, more all the time. There is a Deluxe in the classified right now for $1000 and a Deluxe sold for $895 a couple weeks ago. There was a Deering Sierra at our local Guitar Center for $849. Not sure if it's economy or market saturation or what, but times are good for buyers of used Deerings.

goldtopia - Posted - 06/28/2011:  00:39:04

The goodtime should be the lowest price American banjo because of the way it is made, but you should be able to buy a better and lower price American banjo made by  a luthier on this forum as there would be no dealers profits to pay.

Bill.O

motleyminstrels.co.uk

elohim-ufogods.co.uk

DeanT - Posted - 06/28/2011:  01:01:49

Don't forget Helix!

thecirclebroke - Posted - 06/28/2011:  04:02:30

Helix & Bishline!

Kevin B - Posted - 06/28/2011:  05:36:28

I would second the AMB KK affordable series.  That would be my first pick if I were looking for a new domestic banjo today.

quote:

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Originally posted by Goldstarman

Ok, to fit that criteria I would go with the AMB companies affordable banjo series. They have a kk-250 thats 1899 I think. I own the next one up a KK-3 (pretty much same banjo but has no rings in the reso and slightly different inlay) The banjo is a monster banjo and I dont know of any other american made banjo thats close for this price, Ive owned over 70 high end banjos because i like to try them all out...lol.....but these are as good as Hubers, Stellings, Gibsons, and Sullivans etc.........about half the price! Just look in the classified section here on the hangout under the name Kel Kroydon

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BANJO TONY - Posted - 06/28/2011:  06:26:33

I think Goldstarman hit it on the head with the AMB kk-250.low price high qualtiy made in the USA.too bad the Deerings & the Sullivans do not have anything at that price point.

Getzik9009 - Posted - 06/28/2011:  10:55:09

Goldstarman is right. The American Made Banjo Kel Kroydon 250 is $1899. The best domestic banjo available IMO. I own the Kel Kroydon Scruggs model now and I'm going to order up a custom KK250. Tom said I can give him my Huber tone ring and he will install it in the new banjo for me. Tom even gave me credit on the Kulesh ring that I did not need. What a deal.

Goldstarman - Posted - 06/28/2011:  21:09:19

Yes they are. Yo ucant beat this deal for an american made banjo period. I liked my new one so much Im ordering another one an when I get it ill be ordering a maple one up to....hell.....maybe the whole line...there that good, and cheap....its a win win for the consumer....period

BANJO TONY - Posted - 06/29/2011:  09:43:42

Hey Goldstarman (Tim),you ever think about becoming a Dealer?,thats a hell of a lot of banjos from one company.

Goldstarman - Posted - 06/29/2011:  10:56:03

LOL, well My wife is a dealer, for RK and Saga. Although we quit selling Saga and closed up shop a few months ago because nothing is selling. But yeah, there that good and cheap. I can buy two for the price of one Gibson or Stelling or Huber and I can customize it and Tom is very easy to work with. Besides that they are super banjos. To me the best American made banjo for the price period......if you dont care about american made then a RK is a super great banjo.

BANJO TONY - Posted - 06/29/2011:  15:07:22

so I guess what your saying is if you can afford it go for a KK or if you don't have the money go for an RK . plus I guess you could allways hot rod the KK (up grade) with a better rim & ring & turn it into lets say a 427 AC Cobra with a lot of bite!.

prewartb3 - Posted - 06/29/2011:  17:15:14

For the best domestic banjo around go for the KK. If you don't care about buying American & needing to save a few bucks the RK75 would be my second choice.

I purchased a KK-250 for $1899. I opted to cut a second Dannick rim for $185 and installed the HR30 I bought from Steve for $780.

The total banjo cost me $2864 with an extra Dannick rim and Kulesh 90's 20 hole ring.  I sold the ring to a buddy for $200. Bringing the final cost down to $2664 with an extra Dannick rim.

How or where could you ever beat that price for a Huber banjo. Robin Smiths work is perfect and the banjo sounds great.

No wonder there's a wait to order a banjo.

Goldstarman - Posted - 06/29/2011:  19:02:20

Tony My intention was to hot rod it.......I got it and changed my mind. I wanted a Hatfield ring in it, or a Yates......but it doesnt need one...I need to get a sound file posted...this thing sounds perfect....Ill say this, better than any Gibson Ive ever owned, I never really liked these Kulesh 20 hole rings...but on this Dannick rim..oh my goodness...you dont need a better rim man..I dont think one exists

Helix - Posted - 06/29/2011:  21:01:33

$777

goldtopia - Posted - 06/29/2011:  22:46:26

The banjo that beats the price of any in the world (even new) is Mike Gregorie's Square Eel banjo and its very different to any other.

Bill.O

motleyminstrels.co.uk

elohim-ufogods.co.uk

 

BANJO TONY - Posted - 06/30/2011:  02:31:34

Helix,Bill, good morning,5:30 am Long Island,N.Y. time. how is every thing going on your side of the pond in England & Helix tell us more about your banjo.but guys remember must be made in the USA & have a 3 ply rim & a tone ring. Bill I know your ax is UK if it"s the one your holding in the picture can you tell us more about it & can you show some more pictures please.

Goldstarman - Posted - 06/30/2011:  04:32:56

Id that is your criteria and your looking for a good bluegrass banjo I dont think that the Square Eel  or the Helix is what your looking for.

BANJO TONY - Posted - 06/30/2011:  16:11:57

can you get a Helix with a tone ring ?,I think the block rim is a bonus.

Bruce Barnes - Posted - 07/11/2011:  07:24:24

For a mastertone style banjo the American Made Banjo Company Kel Kroydon would be the way to go. I paid $1899 for a RB250 that sounds darn good. Most pickers are amazed when I tell them what I paid for this banjo.

BANJO TONY - Posted - 07/11/2011:  15:47:20

Hi Bruce, thats a damm good price but I got you beat,I paid $1,600.00 at Guitar center for my RB-250. deals like are RB-250's are few & far apart.

Getzik9009 - Posted - 08/04/2011:  04:59:59

That's a great price for a new Gibson 250. I have the Kel Kroydon ESS banjo. For $2239, that's a great price.

pickNgrin - Posted - 08/04/2011:  05:11:23

I would look real hard at a Hatfield Buck Creek for $2600.

-matt

lespik - Posted - 08/04/2011:  08:14:31

quote:

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Originally posted by pickNgrin

I would look real hard at a Hatfield Buck Creek for $2600.

-matt

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Or less         banjohangout.org/classified/22831

prewartb3 - Posted - 11/09/2011:  04:28:14

 A Robin Smith banjo for $1899 is pretty awesome for sure. Robin Smith built a Kel Kroydon 250 for me with a spare rim and Huber HR30 ring. A powerful banjo for the price. You get a $$$$$ credit if you don't want the Kulesh tone ring. Robin will install any tone ring you supply at no extra cost. Engraving anything you want in the 21st block and spikes are free also. The KK-3 is only $46 more.

No local builders I know are building professional quality banjos at those prices. 

BANJO TONY - Posted - 11/09/2011:  09:31:02

prewartb3 thats a great price,thats better than any Deering out there I bet.how about some pictures & a saound clip.

steve davis - Posted - 11/09/2011:  10:02:22

Talk to some builders.They often have a "deal" kicking around.

lespik - Posted - 11/09/2011:  13:21:01

quote:

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Originally posted by BANJO TONY

some pictures & a saound clip.

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youtube.com/watch?v=Bq4SNS8k8kM   banjohangout.org/topic/191806      Not including the HR30 , of course.

Edited by - lespik on 11/09/2011 13:23:32

pick1936 - Posted - 11/09/2011:  13:31:00

Any  Nechville  You  can  find.   a  little  more  in  price  some  say.  BUT  Think  about  it a  little  bit.  You  never  take  it  somewhere   for  set  up  or  work.  You can  make EVERY  adjustment  real   fast.  You  really  spend  much  less  with  Nechville.  My  2004  Timbr -- tronic   Calssic  Deluxe   is  for  the  rest  of  My  life,  You  really  can't   loose.   with  Nechville.

Nechville.  In  Higginsville.

Lee  Kelso