Deering Golden Era 5-String Banjo

Deering Golden Era 5-String Banjo — Prewar-Style Tone, Brand New, Pre-Order

This is a pre-order. Deering has this banjo scheduled to ship to us in mid-November 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 Golden Era is a professional-grade maple bluegrass banjo built to replicate the classic instruments of the 1930s — same materials, same weight, same design, same -06- 20-hole bell bronze tone ring that powers Deering’s entire Golden Series. Brand new at Banjo Warehouse, an authorized Deering dealer in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Available to pre-order.

Every Golden Era we sell is professionally inspected and set up by our banjo tech Tara before it ships. Owner Geoff Hohwald has known Greg and Janet Deering for over 45 years and was once Deering’s number one distributor in the entire country. When you buy a Golden Era from us, you’re getting the instrument plus 50 years of banjo expertise behind it.

We’ll install 5th string capo spikes at whatever fret positions you prefer — just let us know when you order. Most bluegrass players go with 7, 9, and 10, but our banjo tech Tara will put them wherever you want at no extra charge.

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

Watch: Geoff with the Golden Era

Why Buy a Golden Era from Banjo Warehouse?

Here’s something most dealers can’t tell you: the Deering Golden Era was modeled after an original prewar Gibson flathead 5-string — and Geoff Hohwald actually owned that banjo. When Geoff visited the Deering factory in Spring Valley, California and picked up the Golden Era, he recognized it immediately. The tone ring design, the neck shape, the weight and feel — Deering built this banjo to capture what made those 1930s originals so special, and Geoff knows because he played the original.

That’s not marketing copy. That’s history you can only get from Banjo Warehouse.

What Makes the Golden Era Special?

The heart of this banjo is the Deering -06- 20-hole bell bronze tone ring — the same tone ring design that powers Deering’s entire Golden Series, from the Golden Wreath to the Calico to the Maple Blossom. The drum assembly and traditional “U” shape neck are designed together to produce crisp, strong bass notes and distinct, clear high tones. This is the sound that bluegrass players have chased since the prewar era.

The quartersawn AA grade curly maple neck wears a Cremona sunburst stain under a high-gloss finish. The A grade ebony fingerboard carries the traditional hearts and flowers inlay pattern in genuine mother of pearl, with a Golden Era name plaque at the 21st fret. The peghead features matching pearl inlay work with the Deering script logo.

The Pot

The 3-ply violin grade maple rim sits inside a traditional-style zinc flange with nickel plating. A notched brass tension hoop holds the 11-inch top frosted medium crown head in place with 24 round J-hooks. The Deering True Tone tailpiece and Deering armrest complete the assembly.

In short: the Golden Era delivers the prewar flathead sound that bluegrass players have chased for decades — with Deering’s lifetime warranty, professional setup by our banjo tech Tara, and free spike installation at your preferred frets.

The Resonator

The Golden Era features a deeper resonator sound chamber than standard Deering models — similar to the Tenbrooks series. The resonator sides are specially tapered on the inside for improved tone projection. The 3-ply poplar/poplar/curly maple resonator carries the same Cremona sunburst stain with a high-gloss finish and white binding with black/white trim.

Hardware and Setup

Deering planetary tuners handle the four main strings, with a Deering Gotoh geared 5th string tuner for precise tuning. All hardware is nickel plated. The bone nut and 5/8-inch Deering Smile bridge come standard. The neck has 22 glued-in nickel silver frets.

Comes strung with Deering light gauge strings, tuned to standard open G (G, D, G, B, D).

What’s Included

Hardshell case. Deering lifetime warranty. Professional setup by our banjo tech Tara. Custom 5th string spike installation at your preferred frets. Free shipping anywhere in the United States.

Financing available: PayPal Pay in 4 on our website.

Pre-order now. $5,949.

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

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What Players Are Saying About the Deering Golden Era

“Deep Rich Sound” — “Love the bass on the sliding D string with deep rich sound. It has a high-end warm tone and is a joy to play. Beautiful finish and of course, solid tuners.”

“Prewar at a Modern Price” — “It has all the features of a prewar Mastertone without the price.”

“My Absolute Favorite” — “I am constantly impressed with how well she plays. Not only is she in tune, she has an incredible sound and is a pure joy. The construction is remarkable and one of the nicest instruments I own.”

“A Very Sweet Banjo” — “Everything on this instrument is of exceptional quality. It played and sounded exquisite straight out of its case, full and resonant, the frets are nice and even right up the neck producing great sustain.”

“Beautiful Banjo” — “The design, the sound — it’s perfect. If you are advanced at the banjo I highly recommend this.”

Reviews sourced from deeringbanjos.com — 5 out of 5 stars based on 5 reviews.

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Specifications

Neck
Wood	Quartersawn AA Grade Curly Maple
Shape	Traditional “U” Shape
Stain	Cremona Sunburst
Finish	High Gloss
Nut	Bone, 1 1/4″
Tuners	Deering Planetary
5th String Tuner	Deering Gotoh Geared
Frets	22 Glued-In Nickel Silver
Fingerboard	A Grade Ebony
Inlays	Mother of Pearl Hearts & Flowers; Golden Era Plaque at 21st Fret

Pot
Rim	3-Ply Violin Grade Maple, 11″
Tone Ring	Deering -06- 20-Hole Bell Bronze
Head	11″ Top Frosted Medium Crown
Tension Hoop	Notched Brass
Hooks	24 Round J-Hooks, 1/4″ Hex Nuts
Flange	Traditional Style Zinc, Nickel Plated
Armrest	Deering Armrest
Bridge	5/8″ Deering Smile Bridge
Tailpiece	Deering True Tone
Finish	Hand Finished Satin Polyurethane

Resonator
Wood	3-Ply Poplar/Poplar/Curly Maple
Finish	High Gloss, Cremona Sunburst
Sidewalls	Tapered (for tone projection)
Binding	White with Black/White Trim
Diameter	13 7/8″

Dimensions & Details
Scale Length	26 1/4″
Overall Length	38″
Weight	Approximately 11 lbs
Strings	Deering Light Gauge
Tuning	Open G (G, D, G, B, D)
Case	Hardshell Included
Warranty	Deering Lifetime
Country of Origin	USA (Spring Valley, California)

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Why Buy from Banjo Warehouse?

Banjo Warehouse is an authorized Deering dealer located in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Owner Geoff Hohwald has over 50 years in the banjo business, is the author of The Banjo Primer, and has known Greg and Janet Deering for over 45 years. Every banjo ships with a professional setup by our banjo tech Tara and free shipping anywhere in the United States.

Want to know when new banjos arrive? Join our email list →

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Deering Golden Era a good banjo for bluegrass?

The Deering Golden Era is one of Deering’s most popular models for traditional bluegrass. It was designed to replicate the prewar Gibson flathead sound — crisp bass, clear highs, and strong projection. The -06- 20-hole bell bronze tone ring and maple construction deliver the classic sound that bluegrass players have sought for decades.

How does the Deering Golden Era compare to a prewar Gibson Mastertone?

The Golden Era was modeled after an original prewar Gibson flathead 5-string — and Banjo Warehouse owner Geoff Hohwald actually owned that original banjo. It uses similar materials, weight, and design: a 3-ply violin grade maple rim, bell bronze tone ring, and traditional neck dimensions that closely match the prized instruments of the 1930s. You get the prewar sound at a fraction of the cost.

What is the Deering -06- tone ring?

The Deering -06- is a 20-hole bell bronze tone ring that sits at the heart of Deering’s Golden Series banjos — including the Golden Era, Golden Wreath, Calico, and Maple Blossom. Bell bronze is the same alloy used in high-quality cymbals and bells, chosen for its superior resonance and sustain. The 20-hole design allows air to move freely between the tone ring and the rim for a fuller, more open sound.

Does the Deering Golden Era come with a case?

Yes. Every Golden Era ships with a hardshell case and Deering’s lifetime warranty. When purchased from Banjo Warehouse, it also comes with a professional setup by our banjo tech Tara, free 5th string spike installation at your preferred frets, and free shipping.

Can I get 5th string capo spikes installed?

Yes, at no extra charge. Our banjo tech Tara installs 5th string capo spikes at your preferred fret positions before shipping. Most bluegrass players choose frets 7, 9, and 10, but we’ll put them wherever you want — just let us know when you order.

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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.