I used to recommend the Deering Good Time to all my students, but I've started to notice something over the last year. Their necks appear to get a tad unstable with time. I've seen a noticeable warping in a couple of the banjos that folks bought a couple of years ago.

From now on I'm recomending the SAGA frailing banjo. It's pretty new on the market, is solid as a rock and has a fine sound. I'm also impressed with Gold Tone's efforts lately. As far as having "The company behind you", I don't think that's much of a factor now. I'd rather have an off-shore banjo that's got a really stable looking neck, than be asking a repair person to try and fix a warped neck that can only be straightened by shaving or heating.

Rick