Those bakelite/plastic banjos are ok; someone gave me one several years ago and I recently gave it to a daughter who expressed an interest in learning. Aluminum, wood, plastic -- all can sound good. The great thing about banjos is that if the neck is straight, almost everything else can be adjusted -- head (plastic or skin), tightness of head, bridge, thickness of bridge (thicker = more mellow, thinner = more sharp), strings, height of strings, etc., etc. Cheap banjos can be made to sound and play great and vice-virtue. I'm out of touch with who makes what these days but I think as long as the neck is straight, price is the only issue. Later, if you really get into playing, LOOKS will become an issue. That's a whole nother deal.