Cheap banjo for beginner ?

Jalapeno

@bertie - best compromise IMHO https://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_hbj-26_banjo.htm

Mellish

@bertie ; - require more maintenance than guitars.

Adjudting head tension is a dangerous sport but if you've got a bit of brave in you, a bit of daring, crank it up  

bertie

I managed  a bit of "dueling"  (well its compulsory innit) and the intro to Foggy Mountain Breakdown................... then gave up, and sold it.  

Mellish

@bertie ; - a banjo takes a while to master. 

I've been playing clawhammer style since the mid 70s or thereabouts but there's things I sti struggle to play.

But I enjoy it and that's why I keep a banjo around:  It fills a need