Barbapapa - Posted - 11/08/2009:  04:10:11

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Hello!

I have decided that I'll order my banjo today! I've thought a lot about buying banjos, and I have checked many of them, and have decided CC-100R or Deering Goodtime II! I write my +/-, and perhaps you could add some or just help me to make the right decision! Ship to Sweden? Reliable company? Quality?

Goodtime II----------------------------l------------Gold Tone CC-100R---------------l
+ Rock Maple Resonator Banjo----l----------- + Maple Resonator Banjo--------l
+ 5 strings-----------------------------l----------- + 5 strings--------------------------l
+ Spikes 7,9,10-----------------------l----------- + Removable Resonator---------l
- 530$ á Musicians Friend-----------l----------- + 374$ á Musicians Friend------l
- No Tone Ring?-----------------------l----------- + Brass Tone Ring----------------l
+ Geared Tuners---------------------l------------ + Truss Rod-----------------------l

Due to this table, it might look obvious that the Gold Tone is a winner, but I still want more +/-!

EDIT: Looks like Musicians Friend doesn't ship international! Anybody knows a company that does?

Thanks a lot!

AA

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Edited by - Barbapapa on 11/08/2009 04:19:36

barry - Posted - 11/08/2009:  04:50:04

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You can't go wrong they are good banjos. If you can't play one pick the one that looks good to you.

snudde - Posted - 11/08/2009:  04:56:41

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hi,
there are a couple of swedish companies that sell banjos you might want to look into:
http://www.svarenmusik.se in Lerum and
http://www.harrismusik.se in Gothenburg

Svaren has a lot of knowledge in banjos and Harris seem to stock at least most gold tone models afaik but i haven't had much contact with them. They are ofc more expensive than ordering from the states but on the other hand when you factor in shipment and 25% import tax it might be worth using the swedish ones.

Another place I've looked at is http://www.andybanjo.com/ in britain which with the pound being weak against the SEK might be the best place to buy and the import tax not being a problem within the EU.

Hope this is of some help!

__________
Erik

flatfoot - Posted - 11/08/2009:  05:06:43

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This question appears quite often on this forum. Both banjos are very good value for the money, so it is really a matter of personal preference.

The Gold Tone can be ordered with spikes from many dealers, such as First Quality and Janet Davis.

I got some tunes up on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/flatfoot50

DaveOmega - Posted - 11/08/2009:  07:15:29

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I'll put in my vote for the Goodtime 2. It was my first banjo, I learned on it, I've gigged with it, I think it's a solid banjo. It's very basic and easy to make adjustments to. Not to mention when you're ready to upgrade it's a nice 2nd banjo/travel banjo to have.

Dave

I pick for money & I pick for free & I'll pick for you but I pick for me!

( | )===='==[::/
_^KatEyz____^Gumby

scooter46 - Posted - 11/08/2009:  07:46:34

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AA, I have two CC100 one open back, one banjitar converted to 5 string with res. removed. They are great starters, well made, a pretty solid straight line replica tailpiece and even if you don't upgrade to planatary tuners the guitar tuners are geared. I like the idea of having the truss rod (though I've never heard of any problems with the goodtime) if you want to use some heavy strings. The spikes can be added by you for almost nothing a luthier here said $7.00 for all installed. The removeable res. is nice, mine has great volume without one In fact I have a sponge stuck in it. They are both well respected banjos and you can not go wrong with eaither. Have you checked the classifieds here for a good used one thats how I bought mine. Good Luck Larry


Learning a new skill takes time, patience and practice. Also it is very important to stay hydrated

scooter46 - Posted - 11/08/2009:  09:21:25

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AA, I just looked at the classifieds he there is a goodtime special for sale for $350.00 That is a great price for this banjo and it has a tonering and a case. That is a really good deal. Larry
Go to classifieds, banjos, deering, 0 to $500.00

Learning a new skill takes time, patience and practice. Also it is very important to stay hydrated

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Edited by - scooter46 on 11/08/2009 09:23:06

Barbapapa - Posted - 11/08/2009:  10:54:55

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quote:

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Originally posted by scooter46

AA, I just looked at the classifieds he there is a goodtime special for sale for $350.00 That is a great price for this banjo and it has a tonering and a case. That is a really good deal. Larry
Go to classifieds, banjos, deering, 0 to $500.00

Learning a new skill takes time, patience and practice. Also it is very important to stay hydrated

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Yeah, I've heard that!.....

Problem is I'm not living in the US, and that might be a problem if anything goes wrong :/

quote:

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Originally posted by snudde

hi,
there are a couple of swedish companies that sell banjos you might want to look into:
http://www.svarenmusik.se in Lerum and
http://www.harrismusik.se in Gothenburg

Svaren has a lot of knowledge in banjos and Harris seem to stock at least most gold tone models afaik but i haven't had much contact with them. They are ofc more expensive than ordering from the states but on the other hand when you factor in shipment and 25% import tax it might be worth using the swedish ones.

Another place I've looked at is http://www.andybanjo.com/ in britain which with the pound being weak against the SEK might be the best place to buy and the import tax not being a problem within the EU.

Hope this is of some help!

__________
Erik

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Thanks a lot for the advice!

But why does the CC-100R cost 5000 SEK (720$) in Sweden, but 2500 SEK (380$) online in US??? My budget is around 2000-3500 SEK (280$-500$)
Is there any way to get it US-price??

AA

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Edited by - Barbapapa on 11/08/2009 11:04:23

snudde - Posted - 11/08/2009:  11:43:56

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you could ask a seller to send it as a "gift" without declaring its value, except this being a little dubious and not everyone would agree to to do this, you would also be uninsured if something goes wrong.

__________
Erik

Janet Deering - Posted - 11/09/2009:  07:21:14

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The Goodtime II has a removable resonator - all you have to do is unscrew four screws, and then take off the flange and you have an openback.

It is easily convertable. Visit our website for a factory tour at www.deeringbanjos.com

The other brand is made in Asia. The banjos they send out may or may not really be assembled in their store in Florida. I have heard of music dealers finding made in Korea stickers inside those banjos. So you may or may not wish to rely on that quality it's up to you. You get what you pay for.

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Edited by - Janet Deering on 11/09/2009 08:03:30

1four5 - Posted - 11/09/2009:  08:02:50

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This one is an incredably close call. I have experience with both. The CC has a truss rod and two co-rods, but the Goodtime II is made from MUCH MUCH MUCH harder maple (I've drilled and enlarged holes in both). They both can be turned into open backs, but the Goodtime II would be more work, as it requires removing all the j-bolt nuts, instead of just 8 on the CC, but either one will require knowledge of getting the head properly and evenly tensioned afterwards. The Goodtime II tailpiece is the best and most solid tailpiece known to mankind. It's simplicity is brilliant. The Gold Tone tailpiece is the cheapest most flimsy POS tailpiece I've ever tried to adjust and keep tuned. The Goodtime II doesn't have a tone ring, and the CC had a tone hoop. Just my experience and opinion, but with the proper set up, I think the CC can be made to ring louder for bluegrass, while the Goodtime II rings sweeter and deeper. The CC is a very good value, which could make it the winner over the more expensive Goodtime II if you are on a close budget. The CC also has side dots on the neck, which the Goodtime II does not. This might not make a difference right away, but makes all the difference in the world when you begin learning to stand to play for jams or in a group. The CC is a very light banjo, making it easy on your back, but also hinting at lesser wood density and quality. The Goodtime II, although still a light banjo, has a denser, heavier "feel" to it. If I was a betting man, I'll bet 100 years from now, the Goodtimes will still be playing, and I'll bet the CC's will have long since warped and delaminated themselves into kindeling. It also looks like Deering has upgraded to nicer sealed tuners in the newer Goodtime. The CC's tuners are definately "lowest bidder" cheapos, but they do work ok.

Now if you can get a hold of a Goodtime Special... it blows the CC away. The tone ring makes all the sound, volume and tone difference in the world, in future jams and band environments. My CC is long gone, while my Goodtime Special is one banjo I will keep forever.

Dean

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Edited by - 1four5 on 11/09/2009 08:12:51

Ronnie - Posted - 11/09/2009:  08:06:01

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As per your question in your first post: I am sure that www.elderly.com and many other dealers will ship overseas.

www.bobbythompsonbanjo.com

Barbapapa - Posted - 11/09/2009:  08:43:54

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quote:

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Originally posted by Ronnie

As per your question in your first post: I am sure that www.elderly.com and many other dealers will ship overseas.

www.bobbythompsonbanjo.com

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Oh no! Bad news!

I've recently heard that it's a policy, that US dealers may not ship products oversea to customers!
I wonder if I could go RyanAir to US to buy one, and then return :/
I don't think I can afford 750$, I'm affraid! And still I'm not really interested of buying a crap banjo, buhu :(

Otherwise, I got two options;

1st: Buy a used one, (they may be shipped), and just take the risk of 50% that it will somewhere disappear during the deliverance.
2nd: Perhaps they are cheaper in Germany, where they only pay 6% taxes to the government...

AA

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Edited by - Barbapapa on 11/09/2009 11:55:49

rjanecek - Posted - 11/09/2009:  10:03:54

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Get the Deering

God Bless America

Rick

CosmicMaskedAvenger - Posted - 11/09/2009:  11:19:45

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Deering

Deering Sierra
Deering Goodtime

Barbapapa - Posted - 11/09/2009:  11:55:15

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quote:

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Originally posted by rjanecek

Get the Deering

God Bless America

Rick

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Sorry, it's already gone... :/

AA

beegee - Posted - 11/09/2009:  18:25:35

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Why not buy one from one of the UK dealers?

__________________________
"It is better, of course, to know useless things than to know nothing." -Seneca

TopCat - Posted - 11/10/2009:  04:46:51

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Yes, check out Eagle Music here in the UK.

http://www.eaglemusicshop.com

I got my Deering Goodtime II from them and LOVE it! They are the largest Deering dealership in the world!! Luckily for me I only live a mile from the store but they have an extremely reputable mail order/online business. Why not drop them an email? Good luck!