Here’s a Deering Sierra Mahogany 5-string banjo in satin finish, a few years old and in very nice clean condition. The Sierra is one of Deering’s most popular banjos for good reason – it’s an excellent instrument.

The Deering Sierra Mahogany is also available in Maple.   Both versions carry a host of high-end features  that are very meaningful in terms of tone and playability , but have less decoration than higher-priced models.   This example dates to Augst of 2017 and carries a natural Satin finish that’s in very good condition.  The head has slight wear and the bridge has been replaced; fret wear is light and there are four capo tacks installed.

Sold with its original Deering branded hard shell case.

Deering Sierra Model 5 Banjo Specifications

• 1 3/16″ wide bone nut
• ebony fingerboard
• Planetary tuners
• mother-of-pearl dot fingerboard inlays
• mahogany neck
• mahogany resonator
• 3-ply rock maple pot
• Deering -06- 20 Hole Bell Bronze Tone Ring
• Three-Ply Violin Grade Maple Rim
• one piece cast zinc extra heavy flange
• True Tone Deering Tailpiece
• matte lacquer finish

Here’s the builder on the Deering Sierra Mahogany:

“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 tail piece and 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 everyday.
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 art work 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”