Does this look like a good buy?
I’ve heard nothing but good stuff about deering.
Deering is right up there on the list of very nice banjos. The Boston is one of their mid-range models. That Shubb fifth string capo will set you back the better part of $100 alone to have installed. A respectable price if the condition is as good as claimed.
The Deering Boston looks like a half way decent value, but it has a steel tone ring. The sound is not appealing to me.
Take a look at a Deering Vega Senator, Ramsey, or Bart Reiter. If you find one of them for around $1,000 or less, I think you would be happy. These are all openback banjos. If you want a resonator style, find one with a brass tone ring.
Banjohangout.org has a classified section and there are quite a few banjos listed right now.
Greg