Here are the photos!

Asking price seems high. What kind of music are you interested in playing?

Considering that you can buy that banjo brand new for 500-600, no that isn't a good deal.

As a note, the photos appear to show a standard CC-100 open back. I can't find a listing for a CC-100 "MH" on the GT website. There is an HM-100, however that's a completely different instrument than the one in your photos.

If you've got $700 to buy a used banjo, I would look on the BHO marketplace for an older PacRim import (from Japan/Korea) or an RK-R35 or RK-R36. Or you could try to find a Gold Tone CC-100, Deering Goodtime, or RK OT-25 or OT-26 if you want an openback.

Look at these listings and think about it.

banjohangout.org/classified/105436

banjohangout.org/classified/105241

banjohangout.org/classified/105348

banjohangout.org/classified/102985

banjohangout.org/classified/105707

Way over priced!
You can get a brand new American made Deering Goodtime with a gig bag, shipped to your door for $50 less than that.

The "mh" designation didn't ring a bell for me. They have an hm or "High Moon" version, but the pictures don't match up. I'm a Gold Tone fan, and I don't think quality will be an issue. Although a case is a plus, I'm thinking the asking price for a used banjo is high.

Welcome to the Hangout.

No problem asking what we think of banjos for sale. It's a top topic of conversation here.

I can't find any information on a CC-100 "MH" model other than one very old review that doesn't say anything about the instrument's features. So I don't know what makes the CC-100MH any different from a CC-100.

From the photos, the only thing I see different from a base CC-100 are the planetary tuners (straight-through pegs vs guitar style). If there's something else to this model, I don't know what it is.

With that qualification expressed, I will say $700 strikes me as high for a used Cripple Creek open back, since they sell new for $600, the CC-100+ version with a pickup sells for $750, and the Bob Carlin 12-inch model sells for $800.

For a used Cripple Creek, I'd expect to pay no more than 75% of the cost of the same or comparable current model new. Preferably 65% or less.

So for a used CC-100+ that has a pickup and planetary tuners, I'd be looking to spend $485 to $565. Again: I don't know what else is in the MH to make it cost more than a base CC-100. And I don't know why a used one should cost $700. Do you?

Here's a base CC-100 in a pack with extras for $600.

These are great banjos to learn on.

I don't think anyone asked you yet, but are you planning on Scruggs style picking, or frailing/clawhammer? ...It matters.

As for the stand, don't use it and you don't want it unless you like repairing a broken neck...unless you have zero kids or relatives around, and zero pets.
 

Someone listed an Recording King RKR-36 a few days ago at a little over $800, if not exactly that, and the RK would be a far better quality banjo and is a good deal if you can swing a bit extra and someone else hasn't already bought it.

Bobby

You definitely need to let us know what genre of music you're going to learn; i.e., bluegrass, clawhammer, jazz, classic, etc. as that will make a difference in the recommendations you get for a banjo.

If you're interested in bluegrass: get a 5 string resonator, not open back
If you're inerested in clawhammer, get a 5 string open back
For jazz you might want to look into 4 string tenor banjo

Once you have your genre decided, then you can figure out what type of banjo you want.

And, as others have said, the one you're looking at is over priced.

Back in the day Goldtone offered the CC100 with options such as planetary tuners and other things like spikes. So I guess this is one of those. I can see a review from 2004 from someone who said their model was a CC100/MH which was customised with planetary tuners.

Wow, thank you all so much for your thoughts. I'm interested in playing everything to be honest but have decided to start with clawhammer after doing a lot of listening to folks playing on YouTube.

The seller also is including the pickup and cables, railroad spikes, capo, shoulder strap, hard shell case, gig bag, bracket wrench, and finger picks. Don't know if that provides more support to the pricing, but overall it sounds like he's asking for too much based on everyone's feedback.

Here's the "mh" I was referencing, as a novice I chalked it up to something I should understand but don't! Thanks for your insight on that.

quote:

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Originally posted by jothebambino

The seller also is including the pickup and cables, railroad spikes, capo, shoulder strap, hard shell case, gig bag, bracket wrench, and finger picks. Don't know if that provides more support to the pricing, but overall it sounds like he's asking for too much based on everyone's feedback.

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Here's Ross Nickerson (banjoteacher.com) selling a NEW CC100+ with pickup, planetary tuners, gig bag (that he throws in because this model ships with nothing), instructional material (probably 3-finger), Gold Tone "Zero Glide" nut, 3-year access to his online instruction program, and shipping for $749. He'll add spikes for $15, $20 or $25, depending on how many you want (2, 3 or 4).

Even though this banjo (and Deering's Goodtimes) doesn't include a case or gig bag, these don't really add to resale value of the instrument because no one wants to buy a used banjo without some type of carrier. So it's one of the ways the original owner takes a hit when selling.

Looks like I'm not the only one who can figure out what the "mh" model of the CC100 is. And I'm not the only one who thinks thinks this one is over-priced.

If this one is local to you and you like the idea of getting it right away, make the seller an offer way below what they're asking. Seeing as you can buy the one I linked to above plus 4 capo spikes for $775, you could offer 65-75% of that, or $500 - $580  (I've rounded a bit). Worst they can do is say no.

You might show the seller this discussion then ask them what is it about this used banjo that makes it cost the same as a new CC100+.

Or you can keep shopping.

Additional thought: You only need a pickup if you're going to be playing in a band that performs live in loud environments or that has electric instruments and drums.

And one more thought about the type of banjo to choose for different types of music. Yes, old-time clawhammer music is typically played on open-back banjos and three-finger bluegrass technique is typically played on a resonator banjo, but neither of these choices is *required*. Plenty of beginners learn three-finger on open back banjos and plenty of people play clawhammer on resonator banjos. Thanks to the brass rod tone ring inside the banjo you're asking about, if you put on picks you could play some loud and snappy bluegrass on that open back. And thanks to the pickup, you could play that banjo in a live band and be easily heard.

Have fun shopping. And good luck.

There was a GT mh Mark Horowitz model introduced in 2017.  If this is the same model,  with the suggested retail price at the time,  $700 today would be a good deal. 

This ad provided a more realistic "street" price...still a good deal!

Since it's been mentioned by a few people, and OP is a beginner that may not understand, I would ask the group to explain in detail why it matters what style he's playing. Why is an open back banjo required for clawhammer and why must they have a resonator banjo to play 3-finger style? Please avoid appeals to emotion, appeals to authority (e.g. That's how Earl did it) , "tradition", and stylistic preferences, if possible.

quote:

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Originally posted by thisoldman

This ad provided a more realistic "street" price...still a good deal!

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The banjo being discussed here doesn't match the description at the listing you pointed to. That page says the MH had a carbon fiber neck and walnut block rim. The banjo here clearly has a conventional Gold Tone CC maple neck and maple rim.

The "MH" on the label notwithstanding, this banjo doesn't appear to be an MH. 

I'd advise the OP to proceed with caution.

Thank you everyone for saving my few and far between post-grad dollars. I contacted the seller with the information I learned here, bringing up the HM vs MH distinction, ultimately saying I would pass on the piece unless he’s willing to lower the price.

All I got back was 
Seems a little off.

quote:

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Originally posted by jothebambino

Hi, all! Newcomer to the banjo game here. Just graduated from a three year masters program and finally able to pursue non-academic interests. Never bought or played a banjo but I’m ready to start.

I found a Gold Tone CC100mH five string on craigslist and was wondering if I could get some input on the quality and pricing! It’s listed for $700 and includes some accessories like a stand and case. I didn’t get any photos of the back but it’s listed as open.

Seller seems nice. I apologize if this is frowned upon in the community but none of my close friends play banjo, and everyone in this forum seems really helpful.

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I've been working with Gold Tone for two decades as a sales rep and design consultant. The only banjo we've made with the model designation "MH" (for me, Marc Horowitz) was the OT-MH hybrid openback. This was a limited run of a banjo I designed that married a Gold Tone graphite composite neck with a Nechville Atlas rim. This banjo listed at $3600.00 Only twelve were made before the neck supplier sent us some really poorly made necks and I stopped production.

quote:

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Originally posted by jothebambino

Wow, thank you all so much for your thoughts. I'm interested in playing everything to be honest but have decided to start with clawhammer after doing a lot of listening to folks playing on YouTube.

The seller also is including the pickup and cables, railroad spikes, capo, shoulder strap, hard shell case, gig bag, bracket wrench, and finger picks. Don't know if that provides more support to the pricing, but overall it sounds like he's asking for too much based on everyone's feedback.

Here's the "mh" I was referencing, as a novice I chalked it up to something I should understand but don't! Thanks for your insight on that.

This may be a consideration:

Upon close inspection of the "MH" shown in your photo, it has several indicators that MH was added by someone other than the original label creator. The ink appears to be darker, the lines are somewhat thicker, and the style and size of writing appears to differ from the rest of the factory entries on the label. 
Maybe a previous owner's initials?

Was my choice I would buy a used Recording King RK-R35 (maple) or RK-R-36 (mahogany). See links provided in  KCJones posting above. Many of these Recording King banjos are purchased by folks that want a quality banjo at a decent entry level price and are new to banjo and not yet sure to what degree they will pursue their quest to be a banjo player. It's a great instrument for any level of play and for the money invested. 

quote:

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Originally posted by Pick-A-Lick

quote:

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Originally posted by jothebambino

Wow, thank you all so much for your thoughts. I'm interested in playing everything to be honest but have decided to start with clawhammer after doing a lot of listening to folks playing on YouTube.

The seller also is including the pickup and cables, railroad spikes, capo, shoulder strap, hard shell case, gig bag, bracket wrench, and finger picks. Don't know if that provides more support to the pricing, but overall it sounds like he's asking for too much based on everyone's feedback.

Here's the "mh" I was referencing, as a novice I chalked it up to something I should understand but don't! Thanks for your insight on that.

 

This may be a consideration:

Upon close inspection of the "MH" shown in your photo, it has several indicators that MH was added by someone other than the original label creator. The ink appears to be darker, the lines are somewhat thicker, and the style and size of writing appears to differ from the rest of the factory entries on the label. 
Maybe a previous owner's initials?

Was my choice I would buy a used Recording King RK-R35 (maple) or RK-R-36 (mahogany). See links provided in KCJones posting above. Many of these Recording King banjos are purchased by folks that want a quality banjo at a decent entry level price and are new to banjo and not yet sure to what degree they will pursue their quest to be a banjo player. It's a great instrument for any level of play and for the money invested. 

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Seems high to me as well. That's about what I paid for my Gold Tone BG-150F resonator with a really nice sounding tone ring. It's heavy but I like the sound.

I also have a Deering Good-Time open-back which I bought new. And guess what? That's the one I play 95% of the time. It's light, sounds great and is so handy. I play Clawhammer, Old Time and Bluegrass. I know some are 'picky' or even religious about styles and 'jos and such but having fun and getting better is what it is all about. Sometimes I put on the picks, sometimes I don't. Start off slow, get the feel and once you get your brain and fingers working together things start falling into place and feeling natural instead ot trained and strained.

banjohangout.org/classified/104530
is a link to a Fender FB-59 (not mine). I've found more than a few of them that are a pretty good budget-priced ($400 - $750) entry-level banjo. They are somewhat modeled after the original Fender Concertones, produced around 1967 - 1976 (?); of course, the originals are much better instruments, and generally underpriced ($2400 - $3500) for their quality, but for an entry-level 5-string, you could do worse than the "reissue" Concertone.

The CC100 MH moniker has got around. Here's one that made it to the UK. Looks like it was a CC100 w/1 with MH added. I woder what w/1 means.

gumtree.com/p/banjos/gold-tone...484994949

quote:

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Originally posted by GrahamHawker

The CC100 MH moniker has got around. Here's one that made it to the UK. Looks like it was a CC100 w/1 with MH added. I woder what w/1 means.

gumtree.com/p/banjos/gold-tone...484994949

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w/ is short form for 'with'

so it's a CC100 with mH.

edit:  Oh I see what you mean, It looks like it said w/1 before it was changed to w/mH.  Interesting indeed.