Name: Deering Sierra 5-string Banjo
Brand: Deering® Banjo Company
SKU: S
Price: 3199.0 USD
Availability: InStock

Deering Sierra Banjo neck and pot with wood background

$3,199.00

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.

More payment options

Our most popular professional grade banjo for almost 30 years. We are proud to manufacture the Sierra as affordably as possible and still retain all of the high end features that affect the tone and playability.

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“The Deering Sierra banjo is truly the flagship of our entire line! How is it that this is so? Well, I’ll tell you. The pot assembly of the Sierra, the violin grade maple 3-ply rim, the -06- tone ring, the one-piece zinc flange, the notched tension hoop, the Deering tailpiece and the armrest are exactly the same as our whole line all the way up to the Gabriella, with just a few exceptions. The only exceptions are; the Golden Era has a different zinc flange, the Hartford has a Grenadillo wood tone ring, the Terry Baucom has an -06- tone ring that is just a few ounces lighter than the standard -06- tone ring, and the Tenbrooks banjos have the Swiss Jens Kruger tone ring.

When I first introduced the Sierra I kept the cost down by keeping the cosmetics simple. I put the money into the pot assembly. I wanted to build a top professional banjo at a price that I could have afforded when I was a kid going to the music store on my way home from school every day.

With the implementation of new technology we have been able to make the Sierra exquisitely beautiful without raising the price. I have been greatly inspired by the artwork of the old masters of the Boston banjo era from the turn of the last century. With this inspiration in my blood, I have brought art to the Sierra that is usually reserved for banjos costing much, much more.

The Sierra is truly a professional masterpiece of both sound and art at a price that is within your reach."

Sincerely,
Greg Deering

Specs

Neck

Neck Wood: Quartersawn Mahogany or Maple
Neck Shape: Slender "D" Shape
Stain: Brown Mahogany
Finish: Satin
Nut Material: Ebony
Tuners: Deering Planetary Banjo Tuners
5th String Tuner: Deering Gotoh Geared 5th String Tuner
Frets: 22 Nickel Silver Frets
Fingerboard: A Grade Ebony
Inlays: Original Deering Designed Engraved 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: Satin

Specs

Resonator

Resonator Wood: 3-Ply Poplar/Poplar/Mahogany or Maple
Resonator Finish: Satin
Resonator Sidewalls: Straight
Resonator Diameter: 13 7/8"
Resonator Stain: Brown Mahogany

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 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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29 Reviews

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Reviews (29)
Questions (12)

Updating Results

03/25/25

Gregg S.

01/02/25

Deering Banjo besides being the

Deering Banjo besides being the premier American Made Banjo manufacturer is staffed with the nicest, most helpful people. . . you will love dealing with them.

Jeremy D.

12/18/24

Seriously?

Cyrus V.

03/28/24

Sierra is the way to go, for me.

Love the banjo and started to play in 2020. Decided to buy up to the Sierra, and still love it. Lively and fun to play. It’s a long road, but everything gives in to repetition.

Amazing tone. Can’t go wrong with a Deering.

Casey D.

03/05/24

This banjo is my Number One

I live in a banjo desert. I have to get my banjo info from the internet machine, and it's impossible to know if YOU like a banjo from youtube videos and other people's opinions. You can get a good idea what might be a good banjo, but you don't know if YOU like them until YOU have played them.
Case in point: I discovered that there is ONE guita...Read More

r shop in my area that carries banjos, and they had some of the Big Names I had heard of on the WWW. I rushed down there ready to drop some coin on that pre-war/boutique banjo with the magic sound that would inspire me to keep playing 6-12 hours a day. After spending a few hours locked in the "banjo room' one instrument stood head and shoulders above the crowd: the mahogany Deering Sierra. I have to be honest, I was not expecting that. People speak highly of their Deerings, but it seems they always prefer their boutique or pre-war banjos just a little more.
That was not the experience I have had.
That Sierra came home with me and is my Number One. I play it from the time I wake up until I go to sleep and I am always excited to play it. It's hanging on my shoulder as I write this.
I own a handful of very nice, boutique banjos (all the names you hear if you frequent the Banjo Hangout) - and they are all beautiful and amazing instruments - but my Sierra is the banjo I play all day (and all night sometimes). The only time it's in it's case is when it's going somewhere.
The Sierra has a very nice, full and well rounded sound. I do my own set-up and it is the easiest of my banjos to get the exact tone I like out of it. And the easiest to maintain. I don't have to adjust the set-up every time I sneeze near it. It's a very reliable banjo and I don't have to tune it up constantly either.
But the sound is what sets it apart. It sounds exactly like what I think a banjo should sound like. It's bright and twangy on the high end, but the 3rd and 4th string are powerful and right up front in the mix too. Every string has a very distinct sound and none of them get lost when you are playing fast. With some of my fancy, boutique banjos I own, it's really hard to get a good balance. You either get shrill or tubby. And no matter how you adjust the set-up, that perfect balance between them is very elusive.
I love my Sierra and I could go on and on about it, but I have to go look at a used Deering Deluxe right now. I think I might be a Deering guy now. Watch for some high end banjos for sale on line in the near future....
Thank you Greg Deering and family and everyone who brings these fine instruments to us. Read Less

Richard B.

11/22/23

Upgrade from Goodtime2

Upgraded to a Sierra this year from my Goodtime2. It is an absolute pleasure to play. Even just picking it up it feels good and the sound is awesome even at my relatively low ability. I was able to try a couple of different Deerings as well as a couple of other brands at my local shop and the Sierra stood out for me. I am so glad I got it.

Fred M.

08/02/23

Very nice banjo

It is everything that I expected. Sounds great. Will enjoy playing this for many years.

Speranza P.

09/21/22

I'm so happy!

My new maple Sierra banjo is everything I hoped it would be. It looks beautiful and feels so comfortable to play. The tone is beautiful and just makes it a joy to play!

Shawn W.

06/21/22

Sierra banjo

Amazing quality! The banjo arrived earlier than expected too.

Bryan W.

03/31/22

Great Banjo

I have been playing a low quality rattlesnake, buzzbox. The Sierra is a complete improvement in every way: tone, sustaining notes, loud, and it looks very nice. After playing it, I noticed how relaxed I was. I was so tense playing my low quality banjo, it was causing me to tighten up trying to get more out of it than it could deliver. After playin...Read More

g the Sierra I was very pleased. I am so excited that I get to play this banjo every day! The case is also fantastic. Read Less

Jeremiah T.

01/24/22

A Professional Banjo Even For The Amateur!

My wife calls me a "fumbling amateur," so keep that in mind as you read this review!

I've been playing the banjo off and on for 5 years and have been on a more serious track in the last year. I had been playing on a factory made "higher quality" instrument, and the weaknesses of it was becoming apparent as my skill increased.

E...Read More

nter the Sierra. The tone up and down the neck is mind-blowingly better. I can really capture certain tones for certain songs, etc. Also, compared to the cheaper pot of the other banjo, the sustain makes it seem like a different instrument. It changes my playing from a "chirp chirp" to a more melodic presence.

Long story short, I knew I wouldn't be keeping my other banjo, and I know the Sierra will be with me until I die.

I can't emphasize enough the tone and sustain compared to the cheaper banjo. The quality carries musical arrangements along in a way that makes me feel less "fumbling" and more "amateur"! Even my wife agrees! I can only imagine what a more skilled player would feel in transitioning to an instrument like this.

Of course, the Sierra costs more, and she's worth it! Read Less

Mike G.

08/24/21

The Deering Sierra is TOP NOTCH!

I bought a Goodtime Artisan Special Banjo as a beginner, and LOVED it. (I wrote a review on that banjo as well). Recently I had the opportunity to purchase a used (2010) model of the Deering Sierra. What the Goodtime Artisan Special is to a "Beginner" Banjo, The Sierra is to the "Professional" Banjo line. It is honestly more Banjo than I can handl...Read More

e right now based on my skill level, but I plan to grow into it! The Sierra has everything you could ever want on a Banjo, and everything you really need! The workmanship is typical Deering quality, and all of the important parts are pro quality. It has a beautiful, bell-like pure sound that is very musical. It stays in TUNE and plays wonderfully. I am SO happy with this instrument. It is about 3 lbs. heavier than the Goodtime (approx 11 lbs. vs 8 lbs.) so be aware if weight is an issue for you. Get a good quality strap and I suggest a cradle type install to distribute the weight. This is the LAST Banjo I will ever own (don't need anything better!) Besides, if it's good enough for Ashley Campbell, it's good enough for me! Thanks Deering for a fine instrument!! Read Less

Deborah P.

12/22/20

Where is it?

Haven't received the banjo yet and Customer Service is ignoring my emails.

Shane B.

10/04/20

Love it

This banjo is beautiful and with a sound to match! This is a must have!

Clarence

09/12/20

Sierra Mohogany

I purchased the sierra from 12th fret in Toronto in July of 2020.I'm comparing this banjo with my high end banjos and it's up their in sound and quality.This will be my main banjo for rest of my days.

Bob B.

04/26/20

A Beautiful Instrument All Around

It is magnificent just to look at, and the sound complements the looks. Crisp and bright with excellent lows and a wonderful sustain. A true pleasure to play.

Rich S.

11/22/19

A beautiful musical instrument

I have had my Sierra Mahogany for about three years now and I still play it most days. This is an instrument you can’t put down! There are lots of accolades to the Deering Sierra here but I wanted to add some specific thoughts.
I’ve been a musician for over fifty years and have always had great instruments. A guitarist primarily, I have had e...Read More

xpensive Gibson and Martin acoustics. When you get a really great instrument it resonates with you, even within you. You bond to it because it gives you more than you put in, all you have to do is touch its soul and it responds and sings. Those are the true finest instruments and it comes about because of fine tone woods, great design and superb craftsmanship.
So it is with Deering banjos and specifically here, my wonderful Sierra mahogany.
It plays beautifully and sings and resonates and becomes a part of my musical being. That is a true musical instrument.
Those outside the banjo community see the banjo as a “plunky sounding instrument” but Deering have shown that resonance, beautiful harmonics and deep tone are as much a part of the banjo musical heritage as any other wood instrument.
So I would unhesitatingly recommend the Deering Sierra and at this price point, quite honestly, it’s an absolute steal..! Read Less

Richard M.

04/06/19

Love my new Sierra Maple

Bought a Sierra Maple recently, 2008 model I believe. For the price I think its the best banjo out there, balanced up and down the neck, rings out beautifully, the wood is immaculate, and the tone is crisp and awesome. its a hard banjo to put down, ive owned several high end banjos and this one is right up there with them. i really love deerings n...Read More

ow for their stability and intonation. you wont regret purchasing a Sierra Read Less

Dan C.

12/02/18

FANTASTIC BANJO

BOUGHT MINE FROM BARRY AT BANJO.COM AND I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! I HAVE OWNED AND PLAYED GIBSON'S AND STELLING'S FOR YEARS, ALL GREAT BANJOS BUT THIS NEW DEERING SIERRA I LOVE. AWESOME TONE AND PLAYABILITY (06 TONE RING AND POT ASSEMBLY ROCKS). FIT AND FINISH IS OUTSTANDING, NECK (WITH SATIN FINNISH) IS GREAT AND OVERALL PLAYABILITY AND INTONATION AR...Read More

E SPOT ON. MANY THANKS TO GREG DEERING FOR PERFECTING HIS CRAFT AND DOING WHAT HE DOES. I DEFINITELY WILL BUY ANOTHER DEERING BANJO IN THE FUTURE (LUSTING FOR A CALICO). ALSO, CHECK OUT BARRY AND BANJO.COM. BARRY IS AWESOME! HE TOOK THE TIME TO TALK BANJOS WITH ME AND I REALLY APPRECIATED IT. BARRY KNOWS HIS STUFF AND IS A FINE GENTELMEN. Read Less

Ocean B.

09/20/18

Absolutley fantastic

This review is a bit late, but around 2 years ago I ordered a walnut lefty Sierra Banjo and unfortunately, at no fault to Deering the banjo was damaged in shipping. The customer service that I received was incredible and I was given my own representative, and I was promptly sent a new banjo. This banjo is an heirloom, the craftsmanship is incredib...Read More

le and its truly a work of art. the inlays are beutiful and the matte finish and Crome hardware gives an authentic classy look without being to extra. The volume and tone are nothing short of professional quality, and if for some reason I ever need to buy another banjo, I will always go to Deering. Customer for life! Read Less

Vincef329

04/11/18

Wonderful instrument

I own a later model Sierra in maple. Like Jens Kruger says, it has all the parts for a good banjo. I would add parts AND workmanship. It’s really amazing how loud this in-amplified instrument can be yet soft if you pick lightly. So it’s very lively and responsive and it really feels that way while playing it. Not as fancy as high end banjos with t...Read More

he regular chrome hardware and matte finish but this is a banjo to be played and played a lot. The slender neck is great and the whole package is simply wonderful and a great price for an instrument with this sound.

Now I’ll tell you I picked mine up from a pawn shop in Tennessee. Someone had bought it new right down the road in 2014. Maybe played it a few times. Took the head off, slapped it all back together and pawned it a year later. What a shame. I cleaned it up, got everything back the way it should be, and now it gets played daily and sounds great too.

I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another Deering and I recommend them to my music friends. Read Less

Clair H.

02/22/20

Q: How best to clean the nickel finish my Deering Sierra Maple?

Deering Banjos

03/04/20

A: The Deering Care Cloth Set is a great way to maintain your banjos finish and hardware finish.
deeringbanjos.com/collections/banjo-maintenance-tools/products/deering-care-cloths

Paul

02/18/17

Q: I've seen a couple ads for a Sierra with a radius fretboard, but I don't see that listed above as an option. Is it available, and if so, how much extra?

Deering Banjos

03/02/17

A: Yes, it is a custom option for an additional $375.

Robbie

01/01/17

Q: Is this American made?

Deering Banjos

02/18/17

A: Yes, we make them right here in our factory in Spring Valley, CA. Thanks for asking.

Adam

09/21/16

Q: How would you describe the difference between a Satin finish and a Linseed Oil finish? Is one smoother or better for speed up and down the neck?

Deering Banjos

10/26/16

A: Satin finish is actually a polyurethane finish that only needs cleaning over time. A Linseed oil finish is satin and smooth like a satin finish but the linseed oil must be reapplied as it wears off over time.

Adam

05/07/16

Q: Can you order a sierra with a fingerboard bound in white? If I already have a sierra can I send it in to have the fingerboard bound? How much does it cost to have a fingerboard bound?

Deering Banjos

05/09/16

A: If you are ordering a new banjo, you can upgrade and have it bound in white for an additional $330. This cannot be done on an older banjo unless you order a whole new neck. Thanks for asking.

Jeff P.

02/04/16

Q: Is the mahogany FSC or other sustainable criteria certified?

Deering Banjos

03/01/16

A: Yes...we are very careful with our woods. The mahogany is from sustainable forests.

Steve H.

09/29/15

Q: I need a head for my old styal Sierra banjo. I need to know what head to order

Deering Banjos

11/14/15

A: I would order an 11 "high crown if it is older than 2006.

Kirby

09/17/15

Q: I have a Deering Sierra Banjo ... the back (knob) piece fell off my 2nd string tuner and I seem to have lost a piece which connects the gear (inside the knob piece) to the rotating rod to which the string attaches. Can I get a replacement tuner or the missing piece. ( I can send pictures via email. )

Deering Banjos

11/14/15

A: You will need a new tuner as we don't get them as parts. Just call 800-845-7791 and we can help you with that.

Shelly H.

03/23/15

Q: Hi I was wondering if you have financing on your banjos. I was raised on bluegrass and played my dad's banjo. He sold it. So want to star it back up again. Interested in the Sierra 5 string. Also are you going to order the begging banjo book and cd . It was out of stock. Thank you . Shelly Hayden.

Deering Banjos

11/17/15

A: We do not have a financing program but you can use Paypal and they have a "bill me later" program that is financing through their system for those who qualify.

John W.

03/14/15

Q: what are the optional spikes for? and as a beginner should I have them installed with a new purchase or can I have them added later as I become more experienced?

Deering Banjos

11/19/15

A: You should have them installed at the beginning; at frets 7,9,10 as standard for A,B,C tuning. You will need them before you know it. :-)

Tad

03/07/15

Q: Hello. I am saving up for a beautiful Sierra 5 string. I am puzzled by what the heck "spikes" are. I guess if i don't know, I may not need them!! Also, I would think maple would be a brighter sound, mahogony a bit warmer. Am I off base???? Thank you for making such beautiful instruments!

Deering Banjos

11/17/15

A: Maple is the brighter tone wood. Spikes are for the 5th string only. They are small metal model railroad spikes found usually at frets 7,9,10. When you put a clip on capo on the other 4 strings on your banjo to play outside of open G tuning ( as in A, B, or C), you need to shorten the 5th string as well. This is when you use the spikes on the 5th string at those spike positions.