Good Beginner Banjos
Every great banjo player started somewhere. At Banjo Warehouse, we’ve set up thousands of first banjos over the past four decades — and we know what makes the difference between an instrument that frustrates you and one that keeps you playing.
The right beginner banjo has a comfortable neck, a smooth fretboard, and tuners that stay where you put them. These aren’t luxuries — they’re the basics that let you focus on learning instead of fighting your instrument.
We carry beginner banjos from Gold Tone, Deering, Recording King, and Vintage Japanese Mastertone copies because they deliver real quality at accessible prices. Every banjo ships professionally set up by our repair tech Tara, ready to play out of the box. Questions about which model fits your style? Call Geoff at 404-218-8580 — he’s been teaching banjo since the 1980s and literally wrote the book on it (his Banjo Primer is the #1-rated beginner method and comes bundled with Gold Tone starter packs).
The Deering Artisan Goodtime Special combines vintage aesthetics with the brighter, richer tone of the Goodtime Special steel tone ring. Dark red mahogany stain, midnight maple fingerboard with vintage artisan pearloid inlays. Planetary tuners, spikes installed, nickel hardware. Clearly louder than the Goodtime Two — great for playing in a band. Handcrafted in Spring Valley, California. $1,599 with free shipping and professional setup by our banjo tech Tara. Made in the USA.
The Deering Goodtime Blackgrass is the darkest banjo in the Deering lineup. All-black matte finish, black head, matte black hardware. 3-ply violin grade maple rim with resonator. Midnight maple fingerboard with vintage artisan inlays. Planetary tuners, spikes at 7, 9, and 10. Handcrafted in Spring Valley, California. $1,389 with free shipping and professional setup by our banjo tech Tara. Made in the USA.
The most recommended banjo by banjo teachers. The Deering Goodtime produces a vibrant ringing tone from its 3-ply violin grade maple rim. Maple fingerboard with Art Deco insThe most recommended banjo by banjo teachers. The Deering Goodtime produces a vibrant ringing tone from its 3-ply violin grade maple rim. Maple fingerboard with Art Deco inspired hardwood inlays. At only 4.5 lbs, it is ideal for both children and adults. Handcrafted in Spring Valley, California. $599 with free shipping and professional setup by our banjo tech Tara. Made in the USA.pired hardwood inlays. At only 4.5 lbs, it is ideal for both children and adults. Handcrafted in Spring Valley, California. $599 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 won "Best in Show" at NAMM for good reason - it's the lightest full-size banjo you'll find at under 4 pounds. Perfect for beginners, travelers, and kids, this composite rim banjo delivers surprisingly good tone with a slim, comfortable neck and Zero Glide nut. Professionally set up with a 3-year transferable warranty. At $299.99, it's the smart way to start playing banjo.
Brand new Gold Tone CC-100+/L left-handed Cripple Creek openback banjo featuring the factory-installed SMP+ pickup and included gig bag. This lefty banjo offers a maple neck with two-way adjustable truss rod, rosewood fingerboard with snowflake inlays, three-ply maple rim, rolled brass tone ring, and GT Master planetary tuners. Finished in vintage brown and setup at Gold Tone's Florida facility.
The Gold Tone CC-100R is the best beginner banjo at this price. Maple neck and rim, rolled brass tone ring, two-way adjustable truss rod, and a convertible resonator/openback design. Professionally set up at Banjo Warehouse in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Gig bag included.
"Pre-war" style, at a price anyone can afford, AND authentic tone and superb playability describe the OB-150+. This Bluegrass banjo sports a three-ply maple rim and one-piece flange (just like the megabucks originals), a maple neck inlayed in authentic style, an upgraded JLS tone ring, and a smooth satin finish. The OB-150 is professionally set up in our Ohio shop and comes with TRANSFERRABLE lifetime warranty.
The Goodtime Blackgrass Special has a pure black stain and black head, the same as the Goodtime Blackgrass, but this model features a tone ring to give it a brighter, richer tone.
The Madison RK-R35 gives banjo players a high-quality, great-sounding banjo with a classic Mastertone-style bell brass cast tone ring and one-piece flange. The Recording King Madison RK-R35 is built around the Recordking King 3-ply steam bent maple rim, using the same rim and hardware as in the best-selling RK-ELITE-75 (a $2000 banjo).
Professional-grade Recording King RK-ELITE 75 with vintage Mastertone styling, Flying Eagle inlays, mahogany construction, and included hardshell case. This mint condition banjo delivers authentic 1930s tone at an unbeatable price.
This vintage 1980s Fender Leo banjo was made in Japan to Gibson specs and features a full-size tone ring, 10-ply maple shell, and pro setup. A semi-pro banjo at a beginner price.