Hey Cedar,

I can't help you with finding an instrument, but I would also suggest used. A lot of guitar players have bought banjos and found that the placement of the fifth string drives them crazy and they give it up.

I can suggest a wonderful method for learning to play. Check out:

www.murphymethod.com

My Uncle, a fine player, told me about this years ago when I was thinking of taking up the banjo and I found it a great way to learn. At the time it was a series of audio tapes, but they have progressed to video, which are even better. I was thinking of starting a separate thread on it. Check it out.