nickdunkin - Posted - 01/14/2026:  14:06:06

Hi,

I've started playing plectrum style banjo for a few swing tunes in our band's set. I currently use a five string open back banjo with the fifth string removed. I'd like to spend something, say sub $1k, on a modern/new plectrum banjo but most of the ads I see are for vintage instruments.

I'm concerned that the "budget" options from Gold Tone or Deering may not be quite right. I could be wrong.

Any advice?

Thanks

pinenut - Posted - 01/14/2026:  14:11:49

The used market is usually full of older good quality four strings... Pennies on the dollar.

It takes time to do the research, figure out which are the 'good' ones and clean/set them up; totally worth it.

Edited by - pinenut on 01/14/2026 14:12:33

mmuussiiccaall - Posted - 01/14/2026:  15:09:23

I found a gold tone PS 250 Plectrum banjo on Facebook marketplace for $400 which included the case, capo, tuner ,etc. and after setting it up, I would put it up against my mastertone.

nickdunkin - Posted - 01/14/2026:  17:07:50

Hey Rick



Thanks for the reply. There's one of those in the BH marketplace, which I'm reaching out to the owner about. What type of tone ring does yours have?

There's one like this on Reverb right now too.

Thanks

Edited by - nickdunkin on 01/14/2026 17:09:38

mmuussiiccaall - Posted - 01/14/2026:  18:19:41

It was totally stock and the gentleman could hardly play it both skillfully and physically because it was so out of adjustment. I remember needing to do about 10 adjustments on it to bring it to my liking. it was about a 10 year-old instrument and he wanted to get it to someone who could actually play it so he made me play in front of him to demonstrate ability.

banjopaolo - Posted - 01/15/2026:  00:20:25

If you look carefully on the vintage market you can find really great prewar instruments a reasonable prices,, tenor are much more easy to find but also plectrum… Paramount, Bacon and Day, Weymann, Vega etc

sethb - Posted - 01/15/2026:  07:13:14

The craftsmanship on many vintage banjos is often better than on some newer banjos, and a vintage axe will also probably hold its value better than a new one (which can depreciate quickly, just like a new car does).   

One thing to watch for on a vintage banjo is the neck, and whether it has a neck adjustment rod.  Many older banjos don't have one, and over time the neck can warp, creating either fret buzz, unduly high action or unplayable notes.  It is possible to correct a warped neck on an instrument without an adjustment rod, but it's probably going to be on the expensive side, and with no guarantees that it won't cause other problems like loose or popped frets, damage to the fingerboard or the inlays, etc.   Even if there is a neck adjustment rod and no adjustment is currently needed, it's probably a good idea to make sure the rod is intact and still operational (the adjusting nut isn't frozen or stripped, for example). 

So it's a prudent investment to have any vintage banjo checked out by a qualified tech or luthier before you finalize the deal.  They can spot minute problems you might not notice, and which could become major problems now or in the future. 

BTW, you said you're presently playing an open-back banjo.  If you're playing in a band, you might consider getting a closed-back banjo (one with a resonator); most plectrums will have a resonator.  It can often be louder than an open-back, so you don't have to work as hard.  And if you still need more volume to be heard over the rest of the group, in my experience it's easier to mic a resonator (from the tone holes) than miking an open-back from the banjo head, which tends to pick up a lot of pick slap and other unwanted noise.  SETH   

nickdunkin - Posted - 01/15/2026:  19:19:03

Hey Seth,

Thanks for all the advice.

BTW, I'm only using an open back as it was my least used banjo, and I could cope with losing the fifth string. I'm normally play bluegrass so I am definitely more used to resonators. I will be looking for a resonator plectrum for sure.

Thanks again.

Ks_5-picker - Posted - 01/17/2026:  14:52:19

I sent a pm last night. Maybe it went to your spam folder?