SoupyNarwhal - Posted - 03/27/2026:  09:05:46

facebook.com/marketplace/item/...ralCode=2



Found this Ibanez hunter on marketplace for about $500. The post says it's a hunter bj-250, but when trying to compare prices / value online, I've found some conflictng info on it. I've heard the terms hunter, mountaineer, bicentennial, Bj350, Bj-250. Also apparently some models come in either gold, or in chrome like shown in the post, making identifying this even more difficult. 

Would this be a decent buy for a first banjo?

Edited by - SoupyNarwhal on 03/27/2026 09:10:41

BobbyE - Posted - 03/27/2026:  09:52:31

>>Would this be a decent buy for a first banjo?<<



IMO, this would be a good starting banjo. Many have started on far less, including me. Just be sure that it is what the picture indicates that it is. The reason for the variants in your description is that these were made by a single company who would put whatever name the company marketing the banjo wanted on it. Also explains why some are chrome, gold plated, etc. Again, just verify that you are getting this banjo that is shown in the picture.  If it has a hardshell case, that is even better.  



Bobby

Edited by - BobbyE on 03/27/2026 09:53:00

SoupyNarwhal - Posted - 03/27/2026:  10:57:23

Thanks for the reply. I found a goldtone cc-100R for $430. Do you think the Ibanez is a better deal? I haven't really found any decent comparisons online.

pinenut - Posted - 03/27/2026:  11:45:42

quote:

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Originally posted by SoupyNarwhal

Thanks for the reply. I found a goldtone cc-100R for $430. Do you think the Ibanez is a better deal?   Yes, substantially better.

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The Hunter is in the same structure and build category as this Cortez, but has better inlays and brand name.  ebay.com/itm/236710059191

Edited by - pinenut on 03/27/2026 11:55:40

SoupyNarwhal - Posted - 03/27/2026:  11:55:24

Thank you pinenut. I'm sold on the Ibanez!

pinenut - Posted - 03/27/2026:  11:59:35

quote:

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Originally posted by SoupyNarwhal

Thank you pinenut. I'm sold on the Ibanez!

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Go get it! 

Those MIJ/TPF banjos are built like tanks; as long as they aren't broken or wild, everything is adjustable and upgradable.  I like that the Ibenez has two coordinating rods visible; that makes a noticeable stability difference in most banjos.

Ibenez catalog with the 250 specs:  hoshinogakki.co.jp/pdf/ibanez/...dolin.pdf

Cheers.  

Edited by - pinenut on 03/27/2026 12:07:35

Old Hickory - Posted - 03/27/2026:  12:25:47

Tough call.

The "Cortez" is mostly a visual copy of the 1970s Gibson RB-250 except for the rings on the resonator and a less than artistically achieved headstock.

At about $370 shipped, it's a very good deal on this type of Masterclone.

For $500 (don't know about shipping), the Ibanez gets you a name, a better looking but still not accurate headstock, different inlay, and . . . what, exactly? Do we know whether the components are better or that it sounds better?

In the end, $130 is not a tremendous difference in today's dollars. So go with the one that looks better or you feel better about.

And later on get around to learning about banjo design, features, components and construction, so you'll appreciate why both the Cortez and Ibanez (the specifric ones here) are more banjo than any Gold Tone Cripple Creek and why, at the same price as one of those, choosing one of them is a no-brainer.

Have fun!

SoupyNarwhal - Posted - 03/27/2026:  13:04:23

Thank you! Yes, I hope to learn the actual "why" once I get into it. I'm excited to learn.

As a side note, there's a couple discrepancies with this banjo compared to the ones I see on the Ibanez catalog. Notably this model, which is supposedly a BJ-250, seems to have the clear banjo head like the JB-350's seen in the catalog, whereas the 250's have the frosted head. Also the headstock is ever so slightly different from the JB-250's seen on the catalog. Lastly, it has that eagle logo on the resonator which I've only been able to find on this exact same model on Ebay, which labels it as "bicentenial." If anyone has any info on this, I'd be interested to know. From my understanding this is a JB-250, probably an earlier or later model, and bicentenial is just a nickname for it. 

Edited by - SoupyNarwhal on 03/27/2026 13:10:27

pinenut - Posted - 03/27/2026:  13:55:43

quote:

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Originally posted by SoupyNarwhal

Thank you! Yes, I hope to learn the actual "why" once I get into it. I'm excited to learn.

As a side note, there's a couple discrepancies with this banjo compared to the ones I see on the Ibanez catalog. Notably this model, which is supposedly a BJ-250, seems to have the clear banjo head like the JB-350's seen in the catalog, whereas the 250's have the frosted head. Also the head-stock is ever so slightly different from the JB-250's seen on the catalog. Lastly, it has that eagle logo on the resonator which I've only been able to find on this exact same model on Ebay, which labels it as "bicentennial." If anyone has any info on this, I'd be interested to know. From my understanding this is a JB-250, probably an earlier or later model, and bicentennial is just a nickname for it.  Lots of banjos were made with some sort of eagle scheme for the 1976 American Bicentennial celebration.  Don't pay too much attention to the specification drift; variety was greater before computers.  

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note:  The cases, these older banjos come with, have unreliable latches; use a strap or a belt around the middle when transporting. 

Below, are examples of what the Cortez and Ibanez are emulating:  

banjohangout.org/classified/114584  

reverb.com/item/95395854-origi...ce-flange

Edited by - pinenut on 03/27/2026 14:11:15