I bought a resonator back 1953 Gretsch New Yorker for the princely sum of $100. The rim is cast metal- that sucker is heavy! I need to get some geared tuners, as it came with friction pegs, and it's tedious to tune. I can play a bit of guitar, and I can finger pick, so the banjo should be easy. One less string, right? Somehow, I can't get into it until the porch is built!