Name: Deering Calico 5-String Banjo
Brand: Deering® Banjo Company
SKU: C
Price: 5599.0 USD
Availability: InStock

$5,599.00

Please note that all our Upperline models are built to order when ordering directly through deeringbanjos.com. We recommend using the CHECK DEALER STOCK button below to find a Deering Dealer that should have this model in stock and ready to ship or contact us to discuss options.

Made In U.S.A.

A premium quality world class 5-string banjo that is appreciated for its crisp tone with great highs and distinctive bass response. The Calico is not only beautiful, but it is also exceptionally dynamic with both powerful sound and response providing an excellent tool for all styles of music. At this price point we add two features, we taper the inside of the resonator walls for added projection of tone, and we also add the feature of glued-in frets. Each fret is fitted to the fingerboard and glued in place so that in the future when the frets are worn out, they can easily be replaced without chipping the fingerboard.

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The heart of the Deering Calico banjo is the Deering bronze tone-ring, precisely fitted to the three ply maple rim. The Deering -06- tone ring produces a beautiful, balanced overtone spectrum. Its weight is ideal for most styles played on the banjo. A softer touch will provide you with as much sustain as you ever want, a sharper attack will produce a distinct pop and accurate note separation. You will notice no dead spots over the entire fingerboard. The beautiful highs and powerful well rounded bass is the result of intense study of alloys and shapes resulting in superb sound.

Specs

Neck

Neck Wood: Quartersawn AA Grade Curly Maple
Neck Shape: Slender "D" Shape
Stain: Honey Amber
Finish: High Gloss
Nut Material: Bone
Tuners: Deering Planetary Tuners
5th String Tuner: Deering Gotoh Geared 5th String Tuner
Frets: 22 Glued In Nickel Silver Frets
Fingerboard: AAA Grade Ebony
Inlays: Mother Of Pearl Scroll Inlays

Specs

Pot

Rim: 3-Ply Violin Grade Maple
Rim Diameter: 11"
Tone Ring: Deering -06- 20 Hole Bell Bronze Tone Ring
Head: 11" Top Frosted Medium Crown
Tension Hoop: Notched Brass Tension Hoop
Hooks & Nuts: 24 Round J-Hooks and 1/4″ Hex Nuts
Flange: Deering One Piece Cast Zinc Flange
Armrest: Deering Armrest
Hardware Plating: Nickel
Bridge: 5/8" Deering Smile Bridge
Tailpiece: Deering True Tone Tailpiece
Finish: Hand Finished Satin Polyurethane

Specs

Resonator

Resonator Wood: 3-Ply Poplar/Poplar/Curly Maple
Resonator Finish: High Gloss
Resonator Sidewalls: Tapered
Resonator Diameter: 13 7/8"
Resonator Stain: Honey Amber

Specs

Dimensions

Neck Width at the Nut: 1 1/4"
Scale Length Nut to Bridge: 26 1/4"
Rim Diameter: 11"
Overall Instrument Length: 38"
Weight Approx.: 11 lbs

Specs

Warranty

The trust and pride we share in our product gives us the confidence to grant every owner of a Deering banjo a lifetime warranty ensuring thequality of our materials and workmanship.

Click below for more information

Click Here

Specs

Strings, Tuning, Etc.

Comes strung with Deering 5-String Light Gauge Banjo Strings

Comes tuned: G, D, G, B, D
Can easily be tuned in other tunings as well.

Comes with a hardshell case.
NB: Due to current supply constraints, case brand may vary.

Buy strings here

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15 Reviews

6 Questions \ 6 Answers

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Reviews (15)
Questions (6)

Updating Results

03/14/25

terje h.

01/01/25

calico

I purchased the calico from Eagle music UK what a sound i was surprised and the sustain is long and clarity of the tone up the neck can play chords past the 12fred without sounding plucky i also have eagle 2 and two other banjos in the beginning i was spending time looking for the strings i liked the best i has landed on d'addario nickel plated st...Read More

eel medium/light have tried both Read Less

Mark T.

12/19/24

Can't fairly rate what you don't have

I would love to rate the Calico I ordered at the end of February with an ETA of May. However, all I have to show for it is a $5,200 hole in my bank account. I felt May was a bit optimistic, but didn't expect sometime in 2025 (Christmas is a week away). I'll give it 3 stars as my cost was $600 less than the current price. Should it arrive someday, ...Read More

I'll resubmit a hopefully higher rating. Read Less

Dave M.

03/23/23

Pleasing to both eyes and ears!

The first thing that drew me to the calico was the curl of the maple. This banjo is absolutely gorgeous. Then the sound - it just rings playing the highs and has a growl coming from the lows. The sustain is powerful. My style is no longer hard driving bluegrass but rather melodies or a classical contemporary sound and the Calico just puts out such...Read More

a rich sound. I am taking the banjo into so many modern songs where the flow of the five string just adds such a unique style to music beyond traditional bluegrass - the Calico does it. Such a nice piece of art to own and play. I often put it backwards resonator facing out in a chair in my office just to admire its beauty. I have owned it for about six months now and I am loving it more and more as time goes on. This is probably the last banjo I’ll ever own as I am so totally satisfied with every aspect of it. Jens with his extra ordinary talent is the perfect artist to demonstrated such a fine piece. Listening to him play it is what sealed the deal for me. Read Less

K. S.

05/17/20

My Forever Banjo

Back in I started playing back in 1999. My first banjo was an Epiphone MB. As I progressed I needed more!!! I shopped for 2 years for the perfect banjo. One day sitting on that wall of my local bluegrass shop was the first Calico I've seen. It is a rare natural blonde curly maple and it stood out like a sore thumb over all the other banjos. Played...Read More

it and it struck me hard! Being at that time 3100.00 and being in College, that money was unheard of. That next day after finding the Calico I went on a family cruise. I won 4700.00 the first night in the casino. That next Monday I ran and and snatched my Calico!!! Coolest thing that ever happened to me. 18 years later this thing still plays with the same perfection in every way and the aesthetics and finish is the exact same. Still had to overhaul once to polish up all the nickel. But It's my banjo for life! Thank you Deering!!! Read Less

JP I.

10/15/19

A world-class professional instrument

I got my Deering Calico one year ago today from Greg & Janet Deering in Tokyo, Japan. The first time I got to play this banjo I knew it was a special instrument that I must have. The banjo has huge volume and has solid bright and warm tones across the neck. The detailed craftsmanship of this banjo is world-class and after one year I have not f...Read More

ound any cosmetic blemishes on the instrument. My other banjos before have all been Gibsons, but now I am a true believer in the quality and sound of America's largest banjo maker. If you are looking for something different and exciting you can't go wrong with the Deering Calico from the flagship series. I give it my highest recommendation. Read Less

Bob

02/17/18

Owned one for 11 years.

Have many banjos. This one has punch and likes to be played accurate. Notes are clear and sharp. Don’t stray from deerings original setup, med. strings, top frosted head, head tension etc. They have it right. Maybe only needs comp. bridge. Beautiful, well built, dependable, holds tone well, good choice for a higher end banjo.

Gary W.

12/31/17

Gary walker .... Calico

Purchased last week . . "What a banjo " Owned a few now ... Senator .. Sierra , Black diamond , John hartford ,Vega little wonder and the Vega 2 ... Now own Vega 2 and a Calico ... This banjo is by far for me outshines anything I have played .. So bright and punchy , Great sustain and tone , I used a Deering fibre skin head (old looking type) to g...Read More

ive that sharpness a warmer ring to it . never heard anything like it . Love this banjo.. 5 STARS ***** Read Less

Matthew H.

10/13/17

My Baby Calico

I have had my Calico for going on 11 months now which I bought brand new then. I upgraded from a Gold Tone cripple creek banjo so it was a huge upgrade for me once I new for sure that playing the banjo had taken over my life. I wanted to upgrade to a new banjo that would last me my life time and when it came time to hand it down every scratch and ...Read More

mark on it would have been all from me and I know for sure I bought the right one. These Calico banjos are absolutely amazing. Even after almost a year it is still a treat and blows my mind everyday when I open it up to look at and play. It never gets old and it impressed me everyday. If your thinking about getting this model and just under about it, DO IT!! You will never be upset you invested in it. It is a truly amazing price of art and instrument. Mine will never leave my hands. Also, it has impressed me so much I am going to be purchasing another new deering very soon only this one is going to be a custom order :) Read Less

Charley

05/23/16

Versatile ? Really ?

I have been picking my Calico for three years now and this a pleasure to play this beautiful instrument, with a nice rich sound and a true personnality. I do not regret my money. However, when ordering this banjo, you must be aware of what it is made for. The Calico is a maple banjo. Maple is not mahogany. This wood produces brilliant notes, with ...Read More

a lot of harmonics. It superbly fits with slow and medium tempo tunes but it does not be compared with mahogany banjoes when playing hard drive Bluegrass breakdowns. I own a 1994 Gibson RB-250 and it is easy to notice the notes separation are on their best on a mahogany (or walnut) banjo. So, even if the Calico is announced as a versatile banjo - that's true anyway - see what kind of music you plan to play on it. It is rather important. Read Less

Derek J.

07/14/15

I like my Calico more than my 1962 Gibson RB-250

I was lucky enough to own and play a 1962 Gibson "bowtie" RB-250 for many years. I really loved this banjo, and still enjoy the memories of playing it with friends and with bands. Tragedy struck and my career veered away from banjo playing for a period. Recently, I tried newer and sometime very expensive Gibson banjos and, while all great in their...Read More

own right, they didn't quite satisfy me like the old bowtie did. Finding an old instrument that works for you in every way is not always easy, and I was short on time when I was in the market to buy. Like others, I started out playing Earl Scruggs, graduated to Don Reno, Bela Fleck, Bill Keith, Pat Cloud (jazz, bop) etc. style-wise, as was a regular at the bluegrass jam in Pearl Texas for a while. I got to the point where I used pretty much every fret and every string on the old bowtie, and had high expectations when I was returning to the instrument. I looked on ebay and found a Deering Calico seller a few hours away, drove, played and made him an offer he couldn't refuse. It was love after a minute or two of test driving the instrument, I knew I’d regret leaving this banjo behind. The Calico plays like a dream, the wave of sound created with the melodic and Scruggs styles carries forward into the next measure(s) very well, which is what I was hoping for. The notes across the fret board are balanced (tone, sustain, pitch), no dead spots, just as Deering claims. The wood, tone ring combination is among the best I've ever heard, and I've heard and played some fantastic banjos at Pearl, music stores as well as other jams and with bands. My particular Calico is Cremona Sunburst with a Snuffy Smith head and bridge, which also seem to complement the instrument well. The sound is simultaneously deep and bright, boings/twangs well without being overly metallic, ice pick, or thin and the sustain is incredible for a banjo. Shifting toward the bridge or neck gives me any desired level or sharpness or mellowness. Chording, rhythm etc. has never been this much fun. The Calico aesthetics are superb and the feel and accessibility are beyond what I had with my bowtie. The subtlety as well as dynamics I can get with this Calico is beyond my expectation for any banjo, and I've played enough now to be a decent judge. Bottom line, I was seeking at least the play and sound of my old Gibson, and this Calico delivers an even better playing experience, and if you’ve played an old bowtie, you know this is saying a lot. Gibson set a very high standard, this may be higher still. Good job Deering. Read Less

Dario

05/03/15

the best banjo in he market!!!

in few words the best banjo in the market!! good response, perfect tone, really warm sound really good to play many kinds of music like bluegrass,country,jazz,blues,african music and Bela Fleck fusion. i compared with Gibson and i can say that Calico really wins with extremely precision about note separation! and fantastic poppy sound thanks to wa...Read More

rm maple neck! i compare also with another jewel the Teenbrooks Saratoga also Amazing banjo but Calico has much more warm and bright sound than Mahogany!! really the best banjo in the market!! about company Deering and his family they are really serious make wonderful instrument for serious musician!!!! Read Less

Matthew D.

02/12/15

Great Banjo

I received this banjo as a prize for a banjo contest, and I am very pleased with its tone, appearance and its playability. My Ome Odyssey has a very mellow, dark tone, so it is good to have a second banjo with a bright, poppy sound. The banjo really conveys the Highs very well. This is a banjo that I will keep and cherish for a long time

Susan C.

01/26/15

I just ordered it. I

I just ordered it. I don't expect to get it for 2 months. Hope the rest of your records are more accurate.

banjogal

12/18/13

WOW what a banjo

I have been teaching myself the banjo for seven months now with a Goodtime Classic II bought from Eagle Music which is a lovely banjo but I decided to upgrade to the banjo I will have for a long time and WOW did I pick a good one from Eagle Music. This banjo is everything I have wanted in a banjo it is beautiful to look at and oozes quality. It e...Read More

ven makes my Bluegrass playing sound good lovely highs and great hollow lows and the sustain just goes on and on. This banjo will last me years and years. Highly recommend. Read Less

RICHARD L.

12/14/13

Beautiful banjo

Received the Calico from Amazon in perfect condition, all I had to do was tune it up a bit and it was ready to go. Moving up from a Goodtime Classic II and the difference is very noticeable-obviously. The sound is awesome, plays very well, and while I am a rank beginner, it makes practice less of a chore and more like a fun time. No need for me...Read More

to wonder about another upgrade, this is the top of the mountain for me. The finish on every part of the instrument is flawless, what more can I say. The case it came with is different than any I have seen on the Deering site, it is a molded and sculpted plastic, very elegant and sturdy with DEERING in big letters on it. I went from a VW to a Rolls Royce on this deal. Read Less

Henry

04/13/17

Q: what are the general features of banjo playing vs. other instruments? Or, advantages of taking up banjo to again other instruments? Thanks in advance

Deering Banjos

04/13/17

A: Banjo is the easiest of the acoustic strings instruments to learn because it is tuned to an open chord (G). What this means is you can play your roll or picking patterns without having to fret the strings and still sound musical. Once you have that down, you can also use Barre chords to play it and then move on to more complicated chord patterns.
Also, the neck is narrower than a guitar and the strings are lighter gauged so it is easier to play for these two reasons as well.
Plus...you have us to help answer your questions. :-)

Colin m.

03/12/17

Q: I am looking at getting a new banjo I've been looking at the calico. I've beven reading reviews on the calico and some people say the Sierra is better value for money what makes the calico a better banjo for the price

Thanks
Colin

Deering Banjos

03/15/17

A: If you order the Sierra in maple there are only a few critical differences in the banjos that make them sound differently. The main one is the tapered resonator side walls on the Calico which give it a more "immediate"response of the sound from the sound chamber to make it sound brighter. They do have the same tone ring, hardware, tone wood and fingerboard wood, frets, banjo head and strings on delivery. The Calico has a glossy finish, mother of pearl inlays, bound neck and peghead which are more expensive to build into a banjo and accounts, along with the tapered resonator side walls and glued in frets, for the difference in cost.