I own and operte an acoustic music store in east tennesee: Mountain Music. Here's the "skinny," from the perspective of a store owner and a musician.

Neither one of these companies are known quantities for your style of banjo playing. Also, Deerings don't enjoy the re-sale value of OME banjos. If you have to take one, go with the OME. Try a fiberskin head, and try different setups, bridges, etc.

I sell a lot of banjos. The Goldtone OB are great buys, with good warrenties. If you've got the money, go for a Rieter or Ramsey. I have full lines of these in stock.

Almost any banjo, with a wooden pot, can be made to sound "old-timey," with the right set-up man.