Deering Calico 5-String Banjo

Deering Calico 5-String Banjo: Curly Maple and Bell Bronze, Made in USA

This is a pre-order. Deering has this banjo scheduled to ship to us in mid-October 2026. Ordering now reserves it. It comes to our shop in Yellow Springs, Ohio, where our banjo tech Tara sets it up before it ships to you. Factory dates can move, so get in touch before you buy and we will tell you where it stands. Your payment is fully refundable at any time before your order ships, for any reason and with no restocking fee.

The Deering Calico is a 5-string resonator banjo with an AA grade curly maple neck, a 3-ply violin grade maple rim and the Deering -06- 20 hole bell bronze tone ring, handcrafted in Spring Valley, California. At $5,999 and about 11 lbs, it is a world class banjo with a crisp top end and a distinctive bass. Available to pre-order from Banjo Warehouse, an authorized Deering dealer in Yellow Springs, Ohio.

Every Deering we sell receives a professional setup by our banjo tech Tara before shipping. Your banjo arrives ready to play. Free shipping anywhere in the US. 7-day money-back guarantee.

Call Geoff directly at (404) 218-8580 with any questions.

Why the Calico?

The Calico is where Deering adds two features you get on every model from here up the line. The inside of the resonator walls is tapered for added projection, and the frets are glued in: each one is fitted to the fingerboard and glued in place, so when they eventually wear out they can be replaced without chipping the fingerboard.

The sound comes from the -06- bell bronze tone ring fitted to the maple rim. Deering describes a balanced overtone spectrum with no dead spots across the fingerboard: a soft touch gives you all the sustain you want, a sharper attack gives a distinct pop and clean note separation.

The Pot

3-ply violin grade maple rim, 11 inches across, with the Deering -06- 20 hole bell bronze tone ring. 11 inch frosted medium crown head. Notched brass tension hoop with 24 round J-hooks and 1/4 inch hex nuts. Deering one piece cast zinc flange, Deering armrest, 5/8 inch Deering Smile bridge and Deering True Tone tailpiece. Nickel plated hardware.

In short: the Calico is a top-tier curly maple bluegrass banjo, made in California, with the build features Deering reserves for its best instruments.

The Neck

Quartersawn AA grade curly maple neck with a slender D shape, honey amber stain and a high gloss finish. AAA grade ebony fingerboard with mother of pearl scroll inlays. 22 glued-in nickel silver frets. Bone nut at 1 1/4 inch width. Deering planetary tuners and a Deering Gotoh geared 5th string tuner. 26 1/4 inch scale length.

The Resonator

3-ply poplar, poplar and curly maple resonator in honey amber with a high gloss finish and tapered sidewalls, 13 7/8 inches across. Overall length 38 inches.

What’s Included

Deering lifetime warranty. Hardshell case. Deering light gauge strings, tuned G D G B D. Professional setup by our banjo tech Tara. Free shipping in the US. 7-day money-back guarantee.

Financing available: PayPal Pay in 4 on our website.

Pre-order now. $5,999.

Call Geoff directly at (404) 218-8580 with any questions.

What are glued-in frets?

Each fret is fitted to the fingerboard and glued in place rather than only pressed in. When the frets wear out years from now, they can be pulled and replaced without chipping the ebony. Deering starts adding this at the Calico.

What does a tapered resonator do?

Deering tapers the inside of the resonator walls on the Calico and above for added projection of tone.

Is the Deering Calico made in the USA?

Yes. Deering handcrafts the Calico in Spring Valley, California.

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Contact Banjo Warehouse

For detailed descriptions or to chat about banjos, call Geoff Hohwald at (404) 218-8580.
Email us anytime at [email protected].

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Want to visit? Call Geoff to schedule an appointment at our Yellow Springs, OH location.