Well Burke,a $1000 is a good chunk of change for a banjo especially for someone starting out. For frailing style you can even get an old SS Stewart for $500 (Isaw one a few days ago @ The Guitar Center)
Chanterelle has a nice thumpy sounding open back, Wildwood banjos have just a tad more susuatin & slightly brighter sound. The Saga SS-10 is a very nice Stewart inspired banjo for about the same bucks as the Goodtime. I personally prefer my Saga over my Chanterelle & over the Goodtime. I've never played a Goldtone. I sold my nice yet very Heavy bluegrass banjo to a fellow mudcatter because it didn't have the oldtimy sound I was seeking. The Saga SS-10 had it perfectly (for me)

For instructional stuff, anything by Homespun (Happy Traum & Associates)is outstanding. Ken Perlman, David Holt, & all those guys are great. Perlman has a Book & CD called "Basic Clawhammer banjo" but it IS NOT FOR RANK BEGINNERS!
The most common Book I know of for learing is the Book & CD called "Frailing the Five String Banjo" by Eric Muller & Barbara Koehler. You can get it from Elderly Instruments. It is the book I learned from & I am well satisfied with it.
Best to ya Charcloth