musical instrument choice-banjo.

[Yorkshire pud]

I used to have a banjo, but sold it to help pay for a holiday; as I couldn't really play it and hadn't learned, so was no great wrench. I've since found out that the banjo I bought wasn't that good in it's price range (Fender FB55), but hey, it was in the music shop, and was a bit of an impulse buy. looked pretty though! 

My question is therefore to those of you on here who know these things; and I'm sure there must be at least erm one. What beginner banjo would you recommend with a view to it being suitable for intermediate use..I want a resonator, I want to play bluegrass, it must have a nice clean tone, be attractive (I know that's subjective), be quite sturdy, all that for under $750-$800. I've been looking at Deering, Ozark, Grafton, Deering Goodtime, and a few other makes. I know you'll say go to the music shop to try, but that won't tell me what they're like to live with. Thanks in advance.