Deering Sierra™ 5-string Banjo

I have played banjo since 1982 and have toured the US playing Bluegrass Music. After retiring from the road 12 years ago, Im getting the itch to play again. I have always been a Gibson man and thought nothing compares to a Gibson. Until, I played a Deering Sierra. I was totally blown away by the tone, the craftsmanship and the look of this banjo. I am very proud to own this banjo and even more proud to play it on stage. If you want quality, and sound buy a Sierra!!!!

(Posted on 4/5/13)

I got my deering sierra mahogany a couple days before christmas. It was supposed to be maple but I believe there was a mistake with the company I had my folks order it from. Janet Deering told my mother I could hold on to the mahogany till the maple comes. I played the mahogany every night at a weekend long bluegrass jam and absolutely fell in love with it. Great tone and a neck like butter. Clean notes up and down the neck, every time I take it out and play it I have no regrets.

I would highly recommend it to anybody who asked.

(Posted on 2/25/13)

We ordered a maple Deering Sierra banjo for our son. The banjo came a few days before Christmas, 2012. Unfortunately, it was made with mahogany. I left a voice message for Janet Deering, who promptly returned my call the next day. After explaining the wood mix-up with Mrs. Deering, she told me to allow our son to open and play the mahogany Sierra until they could get the maple Sierra to us. Our son played the mahogany Sierra at 3 Christmas sessions and at the New Year's Eve party he and his girlfriend hosted 12/31/12. Our son loves the mahogany look and sound. He has decided to keep the mahogany Sierra banjo and is very happy with it! We are all very happy and thankful for the excellent customer service we received! The Evans Famiily

(Posted on 1/14/13)

I like my deering Sierra
it has a good sound

(Posted on 1/11/13)

What prompted me to buy my Sierra 5 string was the used Goodtime 2 I purchased originally. I have been a guitar strummer for 50+ years and have always wanted to try a banjo. Guitar Center had a used Goodtime 2 available at a good price. I had heard that the Goodtime 2 was the most popular beginner banjos around so I gave it a try. I was so impressed with it I had to go for something a little better and the Sierra seemed just about right. What finally sold me was the demo piece you have on the web site.

Count me as completely satisfied!!!

(Posted on 12/29/12)

Best I could buy, I've had mine for six years and have no complaints. I have played better banjos but haven't played any that sounded better. It's well built and sounds good, and as for the price, it's a USA made product. If you thinck it's to much, compare it to to a Gibson RB100, it doesn't have a tone ring and is the same price. also It's way better than any Recording King or any Chinese Japonese banjo I've ever played. If you're an avid musican, you'd know why.

(Posted on 12/23/12)

Beautifully finished and wonderful sound all the way up it slender neck! I purchased my Maple Sierra from Janet Davis Music Company; it arrived perfectly set up, as well. Tom Anderson even called to make sure that he understood how I wanted it set up (e.g., where I wanted the 5th string spikes). If something happened to it, I would buy another exactly like it.

(Posted on 6/11/12)

played a Sierra in a music store, way overpriced for the workmansip, as there were flaws in the finish! the sound was okay, but where do these people say they "pop" i heard nothing spectacular. you could really save yourself a whole lot of money by purchasing a recording king, or Goldtone banjo! from what i experienced i would really have to play a more top of the line Deering to see if they are better, but from what i've seen and heard i would look elsewhere for a better instrument.

(Posted on 5/27/12)

The look, the quality, the astounding clarity of the sound, the attention to detail make this banjo one of the best I have ever used. There is another thing which you increasingly appreciate and that is the sheer beauty of the instrument, the wood glows and its design makes you want to hold it. So if you decide on this banjo, you will be buying the absolute best and you will really feel better about it every day you own it. Deering outdid itself with this one. You can read the nitty gritty in the understated description but the real thing -- and its music -- is just something you will never forget.

(Posted on 5/25/12)

After playing other various banjos the Sierra always leaves a smile on my face and also the others that try it out. Even my teacher that plays another top brand of banjo loves the Sierra. The neck is very easy to finger and the tone quality is bar none. Every time I go into a music store I try their banjos and always go away knowing I made an excellent choice in this banjo.

I give Deering a AAA+ for their building a quality instrument and quality support they provide to their customers. If you don't believe me give them a call if you ever have a problem and I assure you they will jump to the task of providing the answer.

(Posted on 5/25/12)