2006 Sierra at Guitar Center. I’m only posting this, because it’s the same as mine, which I love, and it’s a pretty good deal at $1349. In 2006, Deering released their 06 tone ring, and for a short time they were undrilled. I think this banjo may fall into this time. Mine sounds fantastic. And for a value reference, Elderly's is listing an older version with pre 06 ring, for $1900.
And don't forget Guitar Center loves to deal, and takes offers. Also, if you put a used instrument in your shopping cart, BUT DONT BUY IT, I almost guarantee you'll get an email with a lower offer. And if you are active duty, reserve, or a vet, you get an additional 10% off, but you have to ask. That's over $130 off! Or just put it on your wish list, because if it doesn't sell, the price eventually comes down. I watched mine for over 6 months, before buying it at just under $1k.
Edited by - Dean T on 10/31/2026 11:16:25
How can you tell it’s an 06? I am interested, but I know from trying a Saratoga Star with the 06 ring I like the sound. Thanks, Mike
There is a photo of the serial number inside the resonator. The two digits prior the the last four, are the year.
Thanks Dean!
Digging a little deeper… from the Deering website
HOW DO I TRANSLATE THE SERIAL NUMBER?
The first two digits tell you the month the banjo was built, the last two digits before the dash or space will tell you the year, and the numbers in between are considered the number of that model we have made since we started the formal serial number system in 1987. For example: 0534599-7362 would be a banjo from May of 1999.
WHAT ARE THOSE LAST FOUR DIGITS?
The last four digits on the long serial number are called the “peghead number.” Each neck is given a specific number during the manufacturing process so that it can be allocated to a specific order. Today we have gone through so many numbers that we have a letter in front of a three digit number. So the number above “7362” is found by us on a serial number list held in-house only. This number is valuable for folks who do not have access to the longer number. We check the list and can give them a date of manufacture within a 6-month timeframe of a given year.
The first photo is the one at Guitar Center (June. 06), the second is mine (Sept. 06). So pretty close. Just two months apart. According to Deering, they only used the no hole 06 rings for a "short time" before going to the 20 hole version. So the one for sale may, or may not be drilled, but I'm guessing it's not.
Edited by - Dean T on 10/31/2026 11:06:34
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