Consider a new 17Fret 21"scale length open back tenor from Deering. New they are $600. It seems to play well, yet I am not a Banjo expert. I have one that I am selling to my friend, Bill. I picked it up recently, along with my new Mandolin. I will say it currently sounds better than the 1921 Orpheum #1 17fret 21"scale that I am refurbishing.... for now. Once I get the head tension tuned up right I think the Orpheum will work great. But, what I believe is buying a new shorter Tenor banjo is like what I suggest since I notice the longer scale length Tenor Banjos are harder for me to play. AAAAnd a used old Banjo may have skin tension problems that need to be addressed, that only an experience Banjo player can figure out.
