BanjoEnthusiast4 - Posted - 11/26/2025:  05:34:17

It's an Epiphone mb-200 resonator banjo for $230 usd, is it a good price. Seller says it just has cosmetic damage. Currently have a caraya banjo which I would assume is worse anyways should I get it and is it a good deal?

Owen - Posted - 11/26/2025:  05:56:26

I say go for it ... so long there isn't another more pressing need for the money. 

Brian Murphy - Posted - 11/26/2025:  06:29:53

Not a good price, especially with the questions raised by "cosmetic damage." This is a bottlecap banjo with a nicer looking neck (when new). Not only would I want to inspect it, but I would want to know why it got damaged, which could lead to other issues. Comparison with pictures

Edited by - Brian Murphy on 11/26/2025 06:31:14

eagleisland - Posted - 11/26/2025:  06:51:50

quote:

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Originally posted by Brian Murphy

Not a good price, especially with the questions raised by "cosmetic damage." This is a bottlecap banjo with a nicer looking neck (when new). Not only would I want to inspect it, but I would want to know why it got damaged, which could lead to other issues. Comparison with pictures

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In fairness, we tend to consider the value of bottlecap banjos in the American market, where, depending upon local conditions, USD$100-$150 is typically going rate for a used instrument.

Local market conditions Down Under might make them a bit more valuable.

To the OP: these can be okay starter instruments as long as you know what you're getting into. These are mass-produced (China) and sold under a wide variety of different brand names. Sometimes the dress is a little nicer than others - but realistically, when one sees a bottlecap branded by Epiphone or Fender, one is paying a premium for the nameplate while identical banjos with less-well-known marques can trade for 30% less.

FTR, I had not heard of Caraya banjos, but a quick image search suggests that what you've got is probably the equivalent of this. There are two primary designs for inexpensive starter instruments - bottlecaps, such as this Epiphone, and the lightweight wooden-rimmed jobs with a somewhat flimsy mechanism of attaching the resonator. Presume that's what you've got. If it looks like this:

...then it's almost certainly what you've got.

In other words, both instruments are inexpensive starters, so this Epi would probably not represent and upgrade. Suggest you consider saving your money towards something that's actually an improvement over what you've already got.

Edited by - eagleisland on 11/26/2025 06:58:37

1935tb-11 - Posted - 11/26/2025:  06:57:00

let it pass

if you want a playable cheap banjo here is an ibanez B200 it has a brass rolled tone ring and mahogany neck and reso.    350.00 on reverb.  and yes its made in china.

reverb.com/item/92192294-nos-i...h-gig-bag

Edited by - 1935tb-11 on 11/26/2025 07:05:40

GrahamHawker - Posted - 11/26/2025:  10:04:29

quote:

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Originally posted by 1935tb-11

let it pass

if you want a playable cheap banjo here is an ibanez B200 it has a brass rolled tone ring and mahogany neck and reso.    350.00 on reverb.  and yes its made in china.

 

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But a very long way from Australia.

GrahamHawker - Posted - 11/26/2025:  10:06:56

You probably have the basic wood rim Caraya (although there are other models including one which is the same as the Ibanez B200). The Epiphone is just the other sort of basic banjo with a cheap aluminium rim so it won't be an upgrade. but a sidestep.

1935tb-11 - Posted - 11/26/2025:  10:25:42

quote:

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Originally posted by GrahamHawker

quote:

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Originally posted by 1935tb-11

let it pass

if you want a playable cheap banjo here is an ibanez B200 it has a brass rolled tone ring and mahogany neck and reso.    350.00 on reverb.  and yes its made in china.

 

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But a very long way from Australia.

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oh sorry didn't notice he was not in us,,,,, my bad !

Brian Murphy - Posted - 11/26/2025:  12:08:06

Good point about Australia. I missed that also. But if you're going to buy at the level, does the Australia Amazon have banjos? If they operate as they do in the U.S., you can at least return the instrument if it has problems.

pinenut - Posted - 12/04/2025:  10:13:31

Apparently, Gumtree is the equivalent of Craigslist In Australia. This banjo looks like a 1970's, mid+grade, tube/plate, thick multiply rim with tone ring, Made in Japan, Iida/Epiphone; it's a substantial upgrade and the $500AUD ($330USD) is negotiable.  it's a low price, on the right continent and these are nice banjos...

gumtree.com.au/web/listing/oth...338465069

Edited by - pinenut on 12/04/2025 10:29:29