Banjos Under $999
Quality banjos under $999 from the brands we trust most. This selection spans the Deering Goodtime line (Openback, Two, Six, Artisan), the Gold Tone Cripple Creek and AC Acoustic Composite series, the Recording King RKH-05, and a rotating mix of in-stock travel banjos, banjo ukuleles, and banjitars. All are well-made instruments suited to beginners and intermediate players who want a real banjo without paying for premium tone rings or vintage rarity. Every banjo we sell at this price point ships professionally set up, with free US shipping and a 7-day satisfaction guarantee. Call (404) 218-8580 if you want help picking the right starter banjo for your goals. Read our guide: how much should you spend on your first banjo? → Best banjos under $1,000, ranked →
The Deering Artisan Goodtime Openback is the vintage-inspired upgrade to the classic Goodtime. Dark red mahogany stain, midnight maple fingerboard with vintage artisan pearloid inlays, planetary tuners, and spikes at 7, 9, and 10. Nickel hardware. At only 4.5 lbs, it is lightweight enough to travel with and comfortable enough for hours of practice. Handcrafted in Spring Valley, California. $949 with free shipping and professional setup by our banjo tech Tara. Made in the USA.
The most recommended banjo by banjo teachers. 3-ply violin grade maple rim, Art Deco hardwood inlays, only 4.5 lbs. Handcrafted in Spring Valley, California. $599 with free shipping and professional setup by our banjo tech Tara. Made in the USA. 7-day guarantee.
The Deering Goodtime Six is a 6-string, steel-string banjo that tunes like a guitar. Handcrafted in Spring Valley, California. Maple fingerboard, 3-ply violin grade maple rim, comfortable guitar-style neck. $899 with free shipping and professional setup by our banjo tech Tara. Made in the USA.
The Deering Goodtime Two adds a resonator to the beloved Goodtime platform for more volume and projection. 3-ply violin grade maple rim paired with a 3-ply maple resonator produces a rich, golden bluegrass tone. Art Deco inspired hardwood inlays. US Bronze powder finished flange and hardware. Handcrafted in Spring Valley, California. $849 with free shipping and professional setup by our banjo tech Tara. Made in the USA.
The Gold Tone AC-1 is a lightweight, great-sounding openback banjo built around an innovative composite rim that keeps the total weight under four pounds — making it an ideal first banjo for beginners, kids, and travelers alike. Named 'Best in Show / MUST Stock' at the 2016 Summer NAMM Show, it punches well above its price point. Every AC-1 we ship is professionally set up at Gold Tone's factory in Titusville, FL before it leaves our door.
I’m excited to offer the Gold Tone AC-1 here at Banjo Warehouse – this is the banjo that won “Best in Show / MUST Stock” at the 2016 Summer NAMM show in Nashville, and for good reason. It’s become one of the most popular beginner and travel banjos on the market, and once you pick [...]
This is the left-handed version of the Gold Tone AC-1 — the award-winning openback 5-string that won Best in Show at the 2016 Summer NAMM. Weighing under four pounds thanks to its innovative composite rim, it's one of the best-sounding and most playable entry-level banjos on the market, and now southpaw players can enjoy it too. Professionally set up at the Gold Tone factory in Titusville, Florida before shipping, so it plays great right out of the box.
The Gold Tone AC-12 is a 12-inch openback 5-string banjo built specifically for old-time and clawhammer players who want a serious instrument without a serious price tag. At just five pounds, it's one of the lightest full-size banjos on the market — perfect for long festival days and casual front-porch sessions alike. Every AC-12 is professionally set up at Gold Tone's factory in Titusville, FL so it plays beautifully right out of the box.
The Gold Tone AC-12A is a featherweight 12-inch openback built specifically for old-time clawhammer playing — generous nut width, a proper frailing scoop, and a composite rim that sounds better than it has any right to at this price. At just five pounds, it's the banjo your shoulders will thank you for after a long weekend of festival jamming. Professionally set up at Gold Tone's factory in Titusville, FL and ready to play the moment it arrives.
The Gold Tone AC-12FL is a purpose-built clawhammer banjo that packs serious old-time credentials into a featherweight five-pound package. A 12-inch composite rim, ZeroGlide nut, frailing scoop, and two-way truss rod give beginners and festival veterans alike everything they need right out of the box. Includes a gig bag and ships to you professionally set up at Gold Tone's factory in Titusville, FL.
This is the left-handed version of the Gold Tone AC-1, the award-winning acoustic composite openback banjo that won Best in Show at the 2016 Summer NAMM Show. Weighing under four pounds, it's an ideal first banjo for left-handed beginners, younger players, or anyone who wants a lightweight, travel-friendly instrument that actually sounds great. Every AC-1 is professionally set up at Gold Tone's factory in Titusville, FL to play comfortably right out of the box.
When I first got my hands on the Gold Tone AC-1, I’ll admit I was curious whether a composite rim could deliver a real banjo sound — and it absolutely does. The molded composite pot produces a warm, focused open-back tone that surprises people every time, and at just over four pounds the whole instrument [...]