r/Irishmusic • u/Salty_Drawing368 • 6h ago

Trad Music Beginner to banjo

Hello if anyone could help me with a query I have regards buying a banjo for the first time it would be greatly appreciated.

I’m stuck between three banjos for Irish trad if people want to help me decide the first is a deering good time two 800 the second Gold Tone IT-19 Irish Tenor 680 and the third a Clareen bridge 450.

Id appreciate any advice on what would be most suited to playing in Irish trad sessions, thanks.

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u/Symposiac 4h ago

I play the Deering Good Time, which I got used for $450 USD. It needed a tune-up, which I did myself, and now it plays like a dream. But I don’t love it, and recently I got my hands on an old Vega that I like much better, despite the fact that it would need some serious luthier work to make it play as well as the Deering.

Last night I was at a session and I described my Deering as “like playing a finely tuned piece of Ikea furniture.” I’d had a couple brews at that point, but I stand by my words.

I’d get the Clareen personally, but I’d probably choose the Deering over the Gold Tone.

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u/SaltyDragonfruit2768 4h ago

There's a big part of me that wants to just bite the bullet and get the Clarenbridge.

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u/Symposiac 1h ago

Are you in the EU? If so, that would be my recommendation. If you’re in the US, a Deering or Gold tone might be half the original price used, although you’d want to pay $50–100 to get it set up. Any of those banjos are workable and I’d recommend getting one of the original three you listed over getting a vintage instrument. It’ll be a more clear channel for you to focus on skill and repertoire with.

You might want a vintage instrument or a boutique banjo someday, but you’ll make faster progress if you learn on something modern that’s well set-up.

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u/SaltyDragonfruit2768 1h ago

In the USA. Shipping and "tariffs and fees" are a brutal percentage.... but it beats buying junk

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u/SaltyDragonfruit2768 4h ago

Or a vintage Vega I hate buying Ikea-like anything.

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u/PJP1331 4h ago

I think all three are great, it comes down to personal preference. Are you in a position where you could go somewhere that has all three and try them out and compare?

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u/Salty_Drawing368 4h ago

I can try them yes, I’m wondering what banjo would be more suited to someone who’s played guitar for years. Maybe that isn’t really something which is fully relevant but just wondering if there’s maybe a banjo in the above listed that would be best suited to someone transitioning from guitar to banjo.

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u/Ceoltoir74 Bouzouki, Banjo, Low Whistle 1h ago

I have a Gold Tone banjo and their bouzouki. I honestly love the brand, the only negative being their instruments are built like tanks, which can be a good thing but bad if you're lugging it around all day. Deering is also a solid choice, handmade in America if that matters to you. Honestly it may just come down to whichever one you like the look of the most if you can't try them out in person.

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u/SaltyDragonfruit2768 5h ago

Holy mackerel. I'm in this exact level of hell right now