Best Deering Banjos 2026

Premium Deering banjos - legendary tone and craftsmanship

Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026

Deering Goodtime Six-R w/ Kavanjo PU - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#1

Deering Goodtime Six-R w/ Kavanjo PU

Folk Country Americana
Key Feature:
• Essential bluegrass sound
✓ PROS
  • • Cuts through band mix well
  • • Essential bluegrass sound
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit all musical styles
  • • Limited tonal versatility

Deering Goodtime Six-R w/ Kavanjo PU6-String Banjo with PickupNeck: MapleFingerboard: Pau FerroRim: 11" 3-ply...

5.0/5 (46 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Deering Tony Trischka Silver Clipper - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#2

Deering Tony Trischka Silver Clipper

Folk Traditional Music Americana
Key Feature:
• Great for fast picking techniques
✓ PROS
  • • Essential bluegrass sound
  • • Cuts through band mix well
✗ CONS
  • • Volume may overpower other instruments
  • • Limited tonal versatility

Deering Tony Trischka Silver Clipper5-String BanjoResonator: Quilted maplehigh-gloss honey colourResonator inside...

4.7/5 (18 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Deering Goodtime Six-R - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#3

Deering Goodtime Six-R

Country Traditional Music Celtic
Key Feature:
• Traditional American instrument
✓ PROS
  • • Cuts through band mix well
  • • Traditional American instrument
✗ CONS
  • • Volume may overpower other instruments
  • • Limited tonal versatility

Deering Goodtime Six-R, 6-String BanjoSimilar to the popular Goodtime Six open back banjobut with some added...

5.0/5 (33 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Deering Sierra 5-String Banjo Maple - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#4

Deering Sierra 5-String Banjo Maple

Celtic Country Americana
Key Feature:
• Great for fast picking techniques
✓ PROS
  • • Great for fast picking techniques
  • • Cuts through band mix well
✗ CONS
  • • Requires specific playing techniques
  • • May not suit all musical styles

Deering Sierra 5-String Banjo Maple5-String BanjoFlagship model of the Deering banjosBody: American mapleNeck:...

4.6/5 (39 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Deering Phoenix A/E 6-string Banjo - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#5

Deering Phoenix A/E 6-string Banjo

Country Folk Celtic
Key Feature:
• Traditional American instrument
✓ PROS
  • • Cuts through band mix well
  • • Great for fast picking techniques
✗ CONS
  • • Volume may overpower other instruments
  • • Limited tonal versatility

Deering Phoenix A/E 6-String Banjo6-String BanjoNeck: MapleNeck colour/finish: Stained Golden HoneyFretboard: Ebony...

4.5/5 (7 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Deering Boston 6 String A/E Banjo - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#6

Deering Boston 6 String A/E Banjo

Country Celtic Traditional Music
Key Feature:
• Great for fast picking techniques
✓ PROS
  • • Cuts through band mix well
  • • Distinctive bright, percussive tone
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit all musical styles
  • • Requires specific playing techniques

Deering B6 Boston Acoustic/Electric6-String Banjo with PickupResonator: MahoganyHead: 11" Frosted Top Medium Crown...

4.9/5 (31 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Deering Artisan Goodtime Two - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#7

Deering Artisan Goodtime Two

Folk Bluegrass Americana
Key Feature:
• Great for fast picking techniques
✓ PROS
  • • Great for fast picking techniques
  • • Cuts through band mix well
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit all musical styles
  • • Tuning can be challenging

Deering Artisan Goodtime Two5-String BanjoResonator11" Violin grade maple rimNeck: MapleFretboard: Dark stained...

4.9/5 (20 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Deering Deering Goodtime Banjo LH - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#8

Deering Deering Goodtime Banjo LH

Bluegrass Country Folk
Key Feature:
• Essential bluegrass sound
✓ PROS
  • • Great for fast picking techniques
  • • Cuts through band mix well
✗ CONS
  • • Limited tonal versatility
  • • May not suit all musical styles

Deering Goodtime 5-Str OB LH5-String banjoLefthand / lefthanded modelDesign: Open-back3-Plyblondeviolin grade maple...

5.0/5 (14 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Deering C-5 Calico - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#9

Deering C-5 Calico

Celtic Folk Bluegrass
Key Feature:
• Essential bluegrass sound
✓ PROS
  • • Traditional American instrument
  • • Essential bluegrass sound
✗ CONS
  • • Limited tonal versatility
  • • Tuning can be challenging

Deering C-5 Calico5-String Banjo3-Ply maple rimDeering 06-20 bronze tone ringNeck and resonator made of flamed...

4.9/5 (35 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Deering Goodtime Two 17 Fret Tenor - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#10

Deering Goodtime Two 17 Fret Tenor

Country Celtic Americana
Key Feature:
• Great for fast picking techniques
✓ PROS
  • • Essential bluegrass sound
  • • Traditional American instrument
✗ CONS
  • • Requires specific playing techniques
  • • May not suit all musical styles

Deering Goodtime Two 17 Fret TenorTenor Banjo17 Frets"Blonde slender rock" maple neckFretborad: Maple3-Ply...

4.6/5 (3 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Deering Goodtime A/E Banjo - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#11

Deering Goodtime A/E Banjo

Bluegrass Country Celtic
Key Feature:
• Essential bluegrass sound
✓ PROS
  • • Essential bluegrass sound
  • • Distinctive bright, percussive tone
✗ CONS
  • • Limited tonal versatility
  • • May not suit all musical styles

Deering Goodtime Deco A/E Banjo5-String Open-Back Banjo with Pickup"Deco" model with new inlay designNeck:...

4.8/5 (36 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Deering Goodtime Two Banjo - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#12

Deering Goodtime Two Banjo

Americana Folk Celtic
Key Feature:
• Essential bluegrass sound
✓ PROS
  • • Traditional American instrument
  • • Great for fast picking techniques
✗ CONS
  • • Tuning can be challenging
  • • Limited tonal versatility

Deering Goodtime Two Deco Banjo, 5-String BanjoGoodtime Two banjos have a resonator for a brighter and louder sound....

4.9/5 (33 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Deering Eagle II 5-String A/E - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#13

Deering Eagle II 5-String A/E

Country Folk Celtic
Key Feature:
• Essential bluegrass sound
✓ PROS
  • • Distinctive bright, percussive tone
  • • Cuts through band mix well
✗ CONS
  • • Tuning can be challenging
  • • Limited tonal versatility

Deering Eagle II 5-String A/E5-String Banjo with PickupNeck: MapleFingerboard: EbonyOriginal eagle engraved fingerboard...

5.0/5 (23 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Deering Goodtime Two Banjo Lefth. - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#14

Deering Goodtime Two Banjo Lefth.

Americana Folk Country
Key Feature:
• Great for fast picking techniques
✓ PROS
  • • Cuts through band mix well
  • • Traditional American instrument
✗ CONS
  • • Volume may overpower other instruments
  • • Tuning can be challenging

Deering Goodtime Two Deco Banjo Lefth., 5-String BanjoWith resonator for a brighter and louder sound. Easy to play with...

4.8/5 (9 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Deering Vega Old Time Wonder 12" - Professional Music Instrument Photo
#15

Deering Vega Old Time Wonder 12"

Celtic Bluegrass Americana
Key Feature:
• Essential bluegrass sound
✓ PROS
  • • Cuts through band mix well
  • • Traditional American instrument
✗ CONS
  • • May not suit all musical styles
  • • Requires specific playing techniques

Deering Vega Old Tyme Wonder Banjo12, 5-String Openback BanjoThe wider 12" rim with a Fiberskyn head produces a...

4.7/5 (31 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10

How to Choose the Best Banjos

Budget Planning

  • • Under $200: Entry-level
  • • $200-$500: Intermediate
  • • $500-$1000: Advanced
  • • $1000+: Professional

Quality Check

  • • Sound clarity & tone
  • • Build materials & finish
  • • Hardware durability
  • • Overall craftsmanship

Key Features

  • • Your musical style
  • • Skill level match
  • • Intended use case
  • • Brand reputation

Frequently Asked Questions

Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced banjos typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.

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