TJarnold92 - Posted - 12/24/2012:  17:16:06

I'm looking at purchasing a new banjo and can't decide between the two. The Goodtime is significantly cheaper, but I'm not too certain on the quality difference between the banjos.

If it helps, I'm interested in folk music a la Pete Seeger.

deeringbanjos.com/goodtime-2

washburn.com/products/bluegras...s/b16.php

Edited by - TJarnold92 on 12/24/2012 17:22:47

banjoman56 - Posted - 12/24/2012:  17:46:05

For folk music the Goodtime would probably be the best IMO.

The Washburn will give you more of a Bluegrass sound.

Edited by - banjoman56 on 12/24/2012 17:49:15

ObsidianSpike - Posted - 12/24/2012:  18:05:53

Definitely the Goodtime of the two. For folk/old-time music I'd get the original open back one.

However, for the cost of the B16+$25 you could add one of Gold Tone's banjos to your consideration, the WL-250. It's a good quality instrument from what I've heard, and it has the Whyte Laydie tone ring popular among frailers. The MM-150 LN is slightly cheaper than the Washburn, also has a Whyte Laydie tone ring and is a Seeger-style long neck banjo. It may not be quite on the hardware quality level with the Goodtime or WL-250, but it should be a decent banjo.

Seeger played a long neck banjo with a Tu-Ba-Phone tone ring though, so if you'd best like to take after him the OT-800 LN is one of the cheaper (if not cheapest) Tu-Ba-Phone long neck options available. I think a Hangout member is selling one for about $600 in the Classifieds. I'd jump on that if I were you, that's about half the price slashed right there. 

EDIT: Looks like that banjo's been sold! However, there are plenty of other long necks in the Classifieds that may catch your fancy, from vintage/American instruments to one of those MM-150 LNs I mentioned earlier. Good luck; you've got a lot of options! 

Edited by - ObsidianSpike on 12/24/2012 18:10:54

TJarnold92 - Posted - 12/24/2012:  18:14:08

quote:

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Originally posted by ObsidianSpike

Definitely the Goodtime of the two. For folk/old-time music I'd get the original open back one.

However, for the cost of the B16+$25 you could add one of Gold Tone's banjos to your consideration, the WL-250. It's a good quality instrument from what I've heard, and it has the Whyte Laydie tone ring popular among frailers. The MM-150 LN is slightly cheaper than the Washburn, also has a Whyte Laydie tone ring and is a Seeger-style long neck banjo. It may not be quite on the hardware quality level with the Goodtime or WL-250, but it should be a decent banjo.

 

Seeger played a long neck banjo with a Tu-Ba-Phone tone ring though, so if you'd best like to take after him the OT-800 LN is one of the cheaper (if not cheapest) Tu-Ba-Phone long neck options available. I think a Hangout member is selling one for about $600 in the Classifieds. I'd jump on that if I were you, that's about half the price slashed right there. 

EDIT: Looks like that banjo's been sold! However, there are plenty of other long necks in the Classifieds that may catch your fancy, from vintage/American instruments to one of those MM-150 LNs I mentioned earlier. Good luck; you've got a lot of options! 

 

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Bah, he sold that Tu-Ba-Phone. Which Gold Tone banjos would you recommend? I want one of decent quality around the same price.

ObsidianSpike - Posted - 12/24/2012:  18:29:29

quote:

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Originally posted by TJarnold92

quote:

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Originally posted by ObsidianSpike

Definitely the Goodtime of the two. For folk/old-time music I'd get the original open back one.

However, for the cost of the B16+$25 you could add one of Gold Tone's banjos to your consideration, the WL-250. It's a good quality instrument from what I've heard, and it has the Whyte Laydie tone ring popular among frailers. The MM-150 LN is slightly cheaper than the Washburn, also has a Whyte Laydie tone ring and is a Seeger-style long neck banjo. It may not be quite on the hardware quality level with the Goodtime or WL-250, but it should be a decent banjo.

 

Seeger played a long neck banjo with a Tu-Ba-Phone tone ring though, so if you'd best like to take after him the OT-800 LN is one of the cheaper (if not cheapest) Tu-Ba-Phone long neck options available. I think a Hangout member is selling one for about $600 in the Classifieds. I'd jump on that if I were you, that's about half the price slashed right there. 

EDIT: Looks like that banjo's been sold! However, there are plenty of other long necks in the Classifieds that may catch your fancy, from vintage/American instruments to one of those MM-150 LNs I mentioned earlier. Good luck; you've got a lot of options! 

 

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Bah, he sold that Tu-Ba-Phone. Which Gold Tone banjos would you recommend? I want one of decent quality around the same price.

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I feel like I could best recommend the WL-250, or one of its permutations (the Plus and Long Neck models), but with the caveat that I have never played one of these banjos for myself, and am only going off of the good words said about them from other Hangout members. The MM-150 LN might be a considerable option, but I haven't heard much about it from anyone. 

Big I - Posted - 12/24/2012:  19:00:34

banjoman56 nailed it. Ive owned both and He said it exactly right. You can look at my vidoes where I reviewed the Goodtime 2.

pjfolino - Posted - 12/24/2012:  19:46:23

Goodtime :-)

TJarnold92 - Posted - 12/24/2012:  20:00:31

Thanks, folks!

I'll keep my eye out there for a Goodtime 2, everything I see is in the $500 range and I know I can get one for cheaper if I bide my time!

LouZee Picker - Posted - 12/25/2012:  04:57:46

You can't beat the Goodtime banjo's when they're set up right, If you don't get in a hurry a good price on a used one will pop up in the classifieds sooner or later.

Good Luck,
Brian

The Rose - Posted - 12/25/2012:  06:22:58

I love my Goodtime. You shouldnt overlook that its made in the USA. Pretty sure the others are imports from asia.

Old Hickory - Posted - 12/26/2012:  09:10:22

quote:

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Originally posted by The Rose

You shouldnt overlook that its made in the USA. Pretty sure the others are imports from asia.

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That's a political preference.  The Asian imports create or support quite a few American jobs.

And the Gold Cripple Creek I recently played (Asian parts, assembled in Florida) sounded every bit as good as the Goodtime I played and offered what I thought was equal quality at a better price.  Plus, with the Gold Tone, you get a rosewood fingerboard.

As others have said, if it's Pete Seeger type of music you want to play, then you'll probably be happier with an open back. 

The Rose - Posted - 12/27/2012:  02:12:45

Its a preference, i agree. Not sure how political is. For me, its more principal and less political.

TJarnold92 - Posted - 12/27/2012:  02:58:55

Interestingly, I once read that many Appalachian banjo players used Asian models due to the cost.

Banjo Studio - Posted - 12/29/2012:  06:49:59

You're going to want an open back banjo for playing Pete Seeger style music. I would suggest the Deering Goodtime Openback. banjostudio.com/5-string-banjo...ime-banjo

If you still want the Goodtime 2, give us a call and we should be able to make a deal which fits your budget.
banjostudio.com/5-string-banjo...two-banjo

-David

Banjo Studio
504.236.4640
banjostudio.com