Khandu, if you are a guitarist, I assume you know quite a bit about guitars. Solution:
learn about the different types of banjos before you buy one.

1. Bluegrass
2. Old-Time
3. Irish tenor
4. Jazz tenor
5. Jazz plectrum
6. Jazz (guitar-tuned)
7. Six string banjos (Banjars or guit-jos)
8. Electric five-strings (mainly for new-grass)
9. Fretless (nylon-strung) old-time banjos
10. Classical banjos (usually nylon strung)
11. Banjolins (mandolin double strung banjos)

Banjos that are any good today are too damned expensive.
(except for Goldtones)

Frank