Deering Golden Era 5-String Banjo
$5,949.00
This is a pre-order. Deering has this banjo scheduled to ship to us in mid-November 2026. 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, with the same -06- 20-hole bell bronze tone ring that powers Deering’s entire Golden Series.
Pre-order
Questions? Call or text us at 404-218-8580Read customer reviews
Questions about this banjo? Call or text 404-218-8580
Watch the demoHear this model played Deering Golden Era Banjo Demo | Geoff Hohwald at Banjo Warehouse | Yellow Springs, Ohio, opens a video playerAt a Glance
- Handedness
- Right-Handed
- Style
- Resonator Banjo
- Strings
- 5
- Scale Length
- 26-1/4"
- Tone Ring
- Bell Bronze
- Pickup
- No
- Made In
- USA
The Deering Golden Era is a resonator banjo.
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.
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.
Setup, shipping and warranty
It comes to our shop in Yellow Springs, Ohio, where our banjo tech Tara sets it up before it ships to you.
Shipping is free in the US.
Questions before you buy? Call or text us at 404-218-8580.
Deering Golden Era specifications
| Key facts | |
|---|---|
| Model | Golden Era 5-String Banjo |
| Strings | 5 |
| Handedness | Right-Handed |
| Scale length | 26-1/4″ |
| Tone ring | Bell Bronze |
| Pickup | No |
| Made in | USA |
| Neck | |
| 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 and hardware | |
| Wood | Quartersawn AA Grade Curly Maple |
| Finish | High Gloss |
| More details | |
| Shape | Traditional “U” Shape |
| Stain | Cremona Sunburst |
Deering Golden Era 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.
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