bet-

Lots of good advice here.

I'd be careful purchasing a used banjo via e-Bay. Check it out first with the gang at the Banjo Hangout: http://www.banjohangout.org/forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=8

In fact reviewing some of the threads on that site might be very good "homework" for any aspiring banjo player.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble