I’m squirreling some money away for my next banjo purchase, which I hope to make in June. I’m on a budget, so my cap will be about $1200-$1500. I have always resisted Chinese-made banjos, though I’ve owned Gold Tone WL-250 and a Carlin BC-350 and both were decent instruments–though they did look cheaper than even the entry-level Deering Goodtimes. I’m currently playing a Goodtime openback.
Either I hunt around for a used Deering or Hatfield in that price range, or I swallow my bias and buy a RK or a Gold Tone, possibly used as well.
Roundabout way of asking: has anyone had the chance to compare the RK-76 and the Gold Tone OB-3? How about the Gold Star JD Crowe model?