So far, so good. Y'all should know, though, that I'm one of the stingiest music lovers around...my speciality is haunting pawn and used instrument shops, looking for good deals. So, I guess what I'm asking is, how can I tell a lemon, as far as banjos go? I have $$, but not a lot...

Incidentally, Luke, I did make an attempt to borrow my dad's spare banjo...unfortunately, he went and loaned it out to someone else. :) Borrowing long-term would be my best option right now (especially since I'm not sure how much effort I'm going to want to invest), but it doesn't seem to be an immediate possibility.

I have heard good things (from several friends) about Goldtone banjos...apparently, their starter model is as good or better than the Deering Goodtime (the first banjo I thought of buying), and costs less. Has anyone else heard anything similar?

Knicke