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. 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 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.
The Gold Tone AC-5 is the lightest resonator banjo we carry at $499.99. Composite rim and resonator deliver full bluegrass volume at just 5.5 lbs. Maple neck, ZeroGlide nut, two-way adjustable truss rod, Terminator tailpiece, Remo head. Professionally set up at Banjo Warehouse in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Includes gig bag.
The Gold Tone BG-150F is a Gibson-inspired bluegrass banjo at $999.99. Hearts and Flowers mother-of-pearl inlay, 14" mahogany resonator, flat flange, 24 brackets, dual coordinator rods, GT planetary tuners, vintage brown high-gloss finish. 8.5 lbs. Professionally set up at Banjo Warehouse in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Includes padded gig bag.
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.
The Gold Tone CC-50 Cripple Creek is a 5-string open-back banjo built for old-time and folk playing. Multi-ply maple rim, rolled brass tone ring, two-way adjustable truss rod, and Terminator tailpiece. Lightweight at 5.5 lbs. Professionally set up at Banjo Warehouse in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Includes gig bag. $474.99.
The Gold Tone CC-50RP Cripple Creek adds a full-walled removable resonator and planetary-gear tuners to the CC-50 platform. Multi-ply maple rim, rolled brass tone ring, two-way adjustable truss rod, Terminator tailpiece. Converts easily to open back. Professionally set up at Banjo Warehouse in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Includes gig bag. $699.99.
The Gold Tone CC-BG is Gold Tone's all-in-one beginner bluegrass banjo package at $699.99. Includes a 5-string resonator banjo with maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, brass rod tone ring, and mahogany resonator, plus a gig bag, cloth strap, clip tuner, and a link to Geoff Hohwald's Banjo Primer video series. Professionally set up at Banjo Warehouse in Yellow Springs, Ohio.