So, I've recently been doing a lot of hiking and a little bit of camping. Have taken my RK-35 car camping and REALLY enjoyed sitting by a campfire playing. However, I plan to do some light backbacking (2-3 day trips) later this summer and am considering a backpacking banjo (5 string, fretted.) To be honest, playing banjo outside in the woods is at least half of the motivation for camping, so I really need to find a solution so I can do some backingpacking by myself in the woods. Also, I'm looking for something to take BACKPACKING, not just camping. I've done searches for this topic and have seen some cool designs people have built. That said, I"M LAZY. I don't want to build anything.
I'm seriously considering a Deering openback parlor banjo. I like that it's light (4-5 lbs.) has 19 frets and I assume it plays pretty darn well. I think I can get by actually putting this inside a large pack with either a gig bag or (probably) some kind of homemade "bag." I'm just wondering if other people have experience/suggestions with other banjos. Through searches here, I've mostly seen people discuss the tranjo and the gold tone plucky. Would love to hear any advice. Thanks!!!!