Sort of a thread creep. I also tried many years ago to learn the Bluegrass style & gave up in frustration. I was locked into having to have the tab & I couldn't tell where the melody was. I even tried "The Murphy Method". Fortunately I came across frailing & that took. However later I came across Jack Hatfields book & tape"Bluegrass Banjo Method". Hatfield highlights the melody & his tab is done so you know the timing value of the notes. This started to make sense to me.
I am convinced had I come across Hatfield's material earlier I would be a solid bluegrasser by now. But I've been frailing so long now that I always fall back to it
the Saga SS10 I purchased is set up similar to the Goodtime (as an openback) but is much more solid. The Saga SS10 has planetary pegs where the Goodtime has guitar style tuners. Planetary pegs will cost you about $60-$100 to have put on & are much better than guitar style tuners. Hope this is found to be helpful to you
Charcloth