Deering Sierra 5-String Banjo

I wanted to followup on my initial review - since I wrote it after only having the Sierra for a week or so. I play it 2 or 3 times a week. I absolutely love it. Tone, playability, quality and style - all five stars. By purchasing a high-end instrument, I was able to enjoy playing more - so I've played more, gotten better, enjoyed playing more....

I primarily play acoustic guitar. Decided to switch my focus to the banjo. I've had the Sierra for a week now, played an hour a day. It is fantastic. Just the right amount of bling. Fit and finish were perfect. Easy to fret Tone is fantastic. I'm sure the maple version would be too. It came in perfect playing condition, tuned exactly 1/2 step down. Banjo is heavy. I'm going to have to find a more substantial strap and stand now. Case is great too.

I am an experienced musician who plays guitar, fiddle and harmonica. Nevertheless, I wanted a new challenge, so I decided at age 65 to learn a new instrument: a 5-string banjo. After much research, I decided on an American-made Deering Sierra 5-string Mahogany banjo. I play a Mahogany Teton Grand Concert Guitar and love its deep mellow sound. I wanted a professional banjo that was a joy to play and had the volume to hold its own among other acoustical instruments in a band. The Guitar Center had a great sale before Christmas that allowed me to purchase a new Sierra for slightly more than used ones go for. Deering banjos hold their value. I am already having fun flat picking it and am slowly learning the three-finger picking technique. The Deering Banjo company has great customer service, and promptly sent me a replacement Hex nut for one of the banjo's round J-hooks that was missing a nut. I highly recommend the Sierra banjo for both novice and experienced musicians.

I'm really more between novice and experienced. I take my playing seriously, practicing every day for at least 1/2 hour. Just got the Sierra Deering after damaging the neck of my Gretsch (over adjusted the truss rod and cracked the neck). Wow! What a difference. The action is low and the strings are super easy to fret. No buzz, pure sound an intonation. I really like the way my hand glides so smoothly up and down the neck, making those transitions up the neck so much easier. I'm super happy with this purchase!

Wow! Smooth professional looking neck and fret board. Action was set perfectly for me right out of the box. The tone quality up and down the fret board is perfect. Just got this on Friday and can't stop playing it. The quality of this model for the price is really a great value.

Excellent clear sound all the way down the neck action is awesome!