No one has mentioned Kit Banjos. I currently play a Gold Tone which was made up from a kit (although I had some help) It is a fine instrument, and after a bit of fiddling about to suit my style it is probably one of the best I have used, possibly excluding the Vega.
It requires a bit of carpentry know how, the ability to drill a few holes straight and a bit of french polish. It is difficult to tell it apart from their ready mades without looking very closely at it.

Its like cooking a meal - it always tastes better when you cook it yourself.

Good hunting