Best inexpensive Tenor Banjo

[Bertram Henze]

I would concur that geared tuners, planetary or otherwise, are a wise choice.

The difference is that those planetary banjo tuners typically have a lower ratio than wormgear tuners, i.e. less motion does more, which might surprise first-time users - it takes getting used to. But they have their advantages, e.g. good planetary gears have virtually no play, reversing works instantly.

[James Rankine]

I went for the planetary tuners on the Deering Goodtime purely for cosmetic reasons. The lower ratio actually makes less sense on a short scale instrument where small changes in string tension leads to a marked change in pitch, but I think you do get used to them. Basically I think a banjo looks better with "banjo tuners".
I'd get an open back Goodtime. It has been said many times before in the forum that when you come to upgrade you will keep the Goodtime. Being so light and compact you will leave it out ready to hand, take it to the garden, beach or on holiday and end up playing it more than your upgrade.

[SincereCorgi]

Planetary tuners are geared. Wonky description of how they work on this page.

Yeah, I know they're geared and better than straight-up friction tuners, but they're still worse than the 'real' geared tuners on any of my other instruments. Might just be a bad installation, I suppose.

[allenhopkins]

Well, planetary banjo tuners have "gear ratios" that are lower, so a small adjustment jumps the tension more, as Mr. Rankine points out in Post #27.

Not to everyone's taste, if you're used to guitar or mandolin tuners. I have planetaries on some instruments, generally banjos but also my Gibson tenor lute, and they're definitely different.

[SincereCorgi]

...generally banjos but also my Gibson tenor lute...

You just wanted to remind everybody that you have a Gibson tenor-lute...

I'd probably complain less about those planetary tuners since I've started violin. I feel like pretty much anything has got to be better than a straight-up violin peg.

[harper]

I was looking for a 17 fret Irish tenor banjo and persuaded by the positive comments on the Gold Tone IT250. I got one a week ago, the IT250F model, which has a mahogany resonator. I played it in an Irish session a few hours ago. It's a really nice instrument, very easy to play. Every note seems clear and mellow sounding when playing melody. I'm very happy with it.

[lucho]

just my two cents......I got a Vega litle wonder many years ago.... and now many years later I guess it is still one of the better session instruments I have....
Now, before buying any used vintage banjo check for absence of bowing (too high action of the neck), and if this neck is fine. then, any other usage blemish is minor just changing or leveling some frets (may need some new ones), a new head plus strings.... and then you have a great instrument to play.... From my experience vintage 23 inches tenor banjos are easier to get in better shape. the banjo head is key here.... skin if your daily weather doesn't change humidity too much or fyberskin for an analogue to skin, or renaissance head if you like a brighter tone....