I'm with you in that I don't see this banjo having much of a market. But I might not be in the right circles to see it. I feel like most 3 finger players are either traditionalists (Gibson) or jam band players (Nechville).

Even if I could afford it I would also don't think I would buy a new banjo for $5k plus. I don't understand the allure of a pristine new banjo. After a year or two of heavy playing it's gonna be dirty and a little banged up. Might as well cut to the chase, buy used and save a lot of money, imo.

Is Nechville capable of producing enough banjos per month or year to "own" any market? Then again, the markets for $5,000  banjos in any style of music are probably small.

I think Deering has a good marketing strategy, where anything from the Sierra up, is either built to order, after ordered by a customer, or built for a dealer (I’m assuming who has already committed to buying it?). This way they can design anything they want, and only make them after they’re sold. If it’s a flop, no big deal, and no warehouse full of unsold banjos. Is this how it works, or is my perception wrong?

Somewhat connected, are we allowed to post ads in the classifieds for banjos that do not exist yet? The rules don't say one must actually have the banjo they are selling.

The closest is this:

"Banjos for sale must be listed individually. This allows people to search the classified banjo listings by make, price, etc."

quote:

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Originally posted by Dean T

I think Deering has a good marketing strategy, where anything from the Sierra up, is either built to order, after ordered by a customer, or built for a dealer (I’m assuming who has already committed to buying it?). This way they can design anything they want, and only make them after they’re sold. If it’s a flop, no big deal, and no warehouse full of unsold banjos. Is this how it works, or is my perception wrong?

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I'm loathe to criticize Deering because for about 50 years it has figured out how to make banjos in the highest cost state at a scale nobody has matched.  Even it's most inexpensive models are made in the USA, and I really respect that.  Any MBA, private equity type would tell you that this many SKUs is crazy and that domestic production makes no sense.  But here they are, and only one quality import brand has survived.  So pretty damn impressive.  And the Sierra these days is a really good banjo. 

I'm not a lawyer, but if a company is in production for a new type/style banjo that will be for sale in the near future, I would think it okay to post information about it, but not a classified. Please understand that Eric has the final say, not we mods.

It is (or should be) against the rules to post a banjo for sale that you don't own/have unless you are selling it for a friend. Again, Eric is the final say, not we mods.

I like it. But I like bespoke, odd, quirky and different. I'm probably their target market when it comes to looks but I don't have that kind of disposable income. If the Zombie Killer Goodtime wasn't a Goodtime I'd want it also.

I wish there were more bespokly inlayed banjos around at a cost that I could afford. A man can dream....

quote:

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Originally posted by Texasbanjo

I'm not a lawyer, but if a company is in production for a new type/style banjo that will be for sale in the near future, I would think it okay to post information about it, but not a classified. Please understand that Eric has the final say, not we mods.

It is (or should be) against the rules to post a banjo for sale that you don't own/have unless you are selling it for a friend. Again, Eric is the final say, not we mods.

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Thanks.

See below:

https://www.banjohangout.org/classified/116106

https://www.banjohangout.org/classified/116104

Those prices smart a little.

I checked them out, and sure enough, the inlay is the only thing new. The bluegrass version is a maple Sierra with a grenedillo tone ring, wood armrest, nice heel cap, and decked out with designer trim and inlay. There isn’t even binding on the fretboard, but some really nice white trim under the fretboard.. I’m not a fan of the specific inlay, but love the concept of decking out existing basic models, into nice signature banjos. Deering is genius. I’m not poor, and could be drawn into this concept, if Deering had a “design your own banjo” program on their website. Are you listening Deering? I wouldn't spend my money on someone else's design, but I would throw my money at you, if I could design a one-of-kind DeanT signature banjo on line, click on buy now, and have it delivered to my door.

quote:

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Originally posted by Dean T

I checked them out, and sure enough, the inlay is the only thing new. The bluegrass version is a maple Sierra with a grenedillo tone ring, wood armrest, nice heel cap, and decked out with designer trim and inlay. There isn’t even binding on the fretboard, but some really nice white trim under the fretboard.. I’m not a fan of the specific inlay, but love the concept of decking out existing basic models, into nice signature banjos. Deering is genius. I’m not poor, and could be drawn into this concept, if Deering had a “design your own banjo” program on their website. Are you listening Deering? I wouldn't spend my money on someone else's design, but I would throw my money at you, if I could design a one-of-kind DeanT signature banjo on line, click on buy now, and have it delivered to my door.

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Tim Davis was doing this.  I know he has changed up his business model some, but he is a great guy and I'm sure wouldn't mind anyone asking.  I've had some ideas I would like for inlays, but you are essentially deciding that you are going to pay extra for a banjo that may be harder to sell.  

$5,000 Today was $3755 in 2018. That’s how much inflation has hit. Banjo prices reflect that. Few of us recalibrate our sense of what banjos should cost each year. That’s why new banjos seem so expensive.

I was honestly expecting it to cost more than $5300. Remember the anniversary Sierra for $10k? https://www.banjohangout.org/topic/409019

So, is there even a reasonable demand fora 12” Dobson-type banjo? Or is Deering counting on their ability to market it?

you can get several newer gibson banjos up to a granada or several pre war conversions for less then 5000 dollars.. plenty of examples in the classifieds......... so 5300 for a trick pony is a bit much.
that being said i love what greg and janet have done ,,, they have stuck it out thru some rough times and the company is still here.
but jamie is running the things now and maybe taking it in a new direction for the times we are in,,,,,, who knows.