Deering Goodtime II
submitted 10/8/2007
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Submitter |
mbk |
Where Purchased |
GC |
Year Purchased |
2007 |
Price Paid |
Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
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Sound
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I play clawhammer and this does have a resonator, but I really like the bright, crisp sound -- I think it is one of the nicest sounding banjos I've heard, and I've been playing some rather expensive ones at Elderly's showroom over the past few months. Maybe it's the maple? |
Sound Rating |
9 |
Setup
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Perfect in every way right off the GC wall. I fell in love with it the minute I played it. It was tuned up (I tuned it for them) and it has not gone out since, even though I've banged it around a few times. |
Setup Rating |
10 |
Appearance
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I like the look of it a great deal -- spartan, but striking. Wood looks well finished and I like the Made in US star on the peghead. I also like the unusual peghead shape. |
Appearance Rating |
9 |
Reliability
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Stays in tune, action holds up. The only thing I worry about is the lack of a truss rod -- that's a big concern. Will it always be as nice as it is now? I can't say for sure. |
Reliability Rating |
8 |
Customer Service
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They did not answer my initial email, and I was a bit worried about that, but they must not have gotten it because they were really prompt and courteous with my second and third email, so I give them very high marks in this regard. |
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
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It's cheaper stuff, but it all seems to work very, very well -- I have no plans to make any changes at all -- I even like the strings they chose. I'm really starting to think that guitar tuners are the way to go. |
Components Rating |
8 |
Overall Comments
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I love every single thing about this banjo. It sounds great, plays easily, stays in tune really well, even with massive string bending, and makes me sound like a much better player than I am. I believe the ads that say you have to spend ten times more (well, at least 5) to get something that sounds as good. I just hope that neck does not warp or get otherwise wrecked -- that is my only real concern here. But this is one of the few instruments that I own that seems to have no glaring failings. Did I mention that I love it? I have several cheap banjos, but this is the only one that does not remind me that it is cheap -- in fact, it makes me think I'm playing something far more valuable -- and, in effect, I am. |
Overall Rating |
10 |
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Epiphone MB-100
submitted 9/21/2007
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Submitter |
mbk |
Where Purchased |
Guitar Center |
Year Purchased |
2007 |
Price Paid |
125 ($US) |
Sound
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I've revised this section a bit after playing my Goodtime II banjo and making a better comparison. When played by a good clawhammer player, it has a decent sound, although overall I'd call it a muffled sound -- no real brights (definitely not crisp) and now really good lows either. Overall, for the price, and for the lack of a tone ring, it has a very good sound with a nice ringing resonance (surprising amount of sustain, actually). At this price, it sounds pretty good, almost like the $300-plus Saga. |
Sound Rating |
6 |
Setup
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Absolutely perfect in terms of action and feel right out of the box. The only problem was a buzzing when the third string was played open. I took it to Elderly Instruments and they fixed it in two minutes -- just needed a bit of filing on the nut and bridge, and that was all. I played another one at GC the other day, and it was also perfect, so I think there is some pretty good quality control in these instruments (although I should not have had to have the nut and bridge refiled, although the technician did it for me for free since it was such an easy job). |
Setup Rating |
9 |
Appearance
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I love the look of this banjo, and so does almost everyone who sees it. Very plain -- a simple headstock (which I like), natural finish on the maple neck, headstock, and pot, beautiful piece of rosewood on the fingerboard, all finished very well. I like a simple look; it has a very timeless appeal. |
Appearance Rating |
10 |
Reliability
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I think it will be reliable -- hardware seems to be of good quality. Diecast guitar tuning machines hold tune very, very well. Seems sturdy and I think I can really knock this around a good deal without breaking it. All nuts and bolts were on good and tight and the hardware looks adequate if not anything fancy. |
Reliability Rating |
9 |
Customer Service
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N/A. I think their website stinks (not as much information as I'd like to see, and only one picture of the product). |
Customer Service |
not rated |
Components
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Guitar type tuners, but do you really need planetary tuners? I mean, these ain't moving anywhere -- they hold tune just fine and look nice, too. My friend who knows banjos says the bridge could be replaced in favor of a no-knot and the head could be updated to a fiberskyn, perhaps, but even as it sits, for $125, it is incredible. |
Components Rating |
8 |
Overall Comments
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I would definitely recommend this banjo as even experienced players seem to like it. At the price, I just don't think you can find a better banjo -- it's way better than the Rover (same price), just as good as the Saga open back ($200 more), and I think even nicer than the Deering Goodtimes, although I like those banjos, too (but they cost about $150 more). I just love the feel of the neck, of the fretboard, and of this banjo in general. Even if I had paid the full $149 GC price, I'd still feel that I had made a great deal. The fact that my friend who knows how to play really was able to make this banjo really sing is a testament to its quality. DO NOT hesitate for a moment to purchase this banjo. The local GC has sold three in the past couple of months, including this one, and I'm sure the current one in stock will be gone soon. People see them, like them, and grab them. You should, too. |
Overall Rating |
8 |
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S101 Guitars LB524
submitted 7/27/2007
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Submitter |
mbk |
Where Purchased |
local music store |
Year Purchased |
2007 |
Price Paid |
$200
historic exchange rates / currency converter
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Sound
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This is a resonator banjo without a tone ring/flange -- just four chromed plates screwed to the rim that allow you to attach it to the resonator. Having said that, and also noting I am new to Banjo (although I have heard and played some very good ones), this has a pretty bright tone and some really nice resonance -- quite pleasing for under $200. I have noticed, as with a number of cheaper banjos, the 4th string seems a bit "thuddy" or lifeless. But, for less than $200, it certainly sounds like a banjo. |
Sound Rating |
8 |
Setup
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I thought the action was great, although I tweaked it a bit with the coordinating rod (one rod, actually) and got it quite low. Even when it was higher, there was one major problem -- the second and third strings choked out on the sixth fret. I took it to Elderly Instruments (I DID NOT buy it from them, but I live close enough to drive there and I like the work they have done for me in the past) and had them glue and re-level the frets -- they were pretty off. Fixed the problem perfectly; plays great now -- super fast neck. I'd give the set-up a better rating, but that original fret problem just can't justify more than a 6 in my opinion (altough I had the same problem with a Epiphone guitar once, and lots of import instruments need a fret job). Oh, and when I went to see about adjusting the truss rod, it was totally loose -- no room to go with less tension. One positive, however, was that the bridge and intonation were excellent right out of the box. |
Setup Rating |
6 |
Appearance
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I have no idea what kind of wood it actually is, although it's light weight, which, along with no tone ring, is nice. It is finished like walnut and it looks very nice. I very much like the darker shade of stain (almost black)at the heel and back of the headstock on the neck, kind of like a sunburst. The peghead logo is just screened, so it is not really attractive to me, but the pearl-ish buttons on the tuners look nice. No real inlay, other than what are probably plastic dots at the usual frets, but the frets look nice and are pretty well polished along the edges. The inside of the resonator is painted black and looks okay. The blocks to which the thumbscrews attach the rim appear to merely be stapled onto the rim (although they may be glued as well); it seems to work well enough and no one can see that anyway, so it's a non-issue. Overall, however, it looks great for the price.
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Appearance Rating |
9 |
Reliability
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I think this will last -- I have no reason to doubt it. Like I said, the stapled blocks holding the thumbscrews worry me, but, quite frankly, I play this mostly as an open back and store the resonator. I'd still feel confident, however, even if I left it on. One thing I was very, very impressed with was the fact that every screw and bolt on the rim and other parts were on tight with no sign of letting go. Oh, and even with the guitar style tuners and the friction fifth peg, this thing stays in tune wonderfully -- very impressed with that aspect. |
Reliability Rating |
9 |
Customer Service
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have not dealt with the company |
Customer Service |
not rated |
Components
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Well, at this level, I would not expect much -- guitar style tuners, friction fifth peg -- but what it does have seems to work and gives no sign of breaking or wearing out any time soon. Keeping it in the context of an entry level, $200 banjo, it deserves a very positive rating. I even like the bridge. |
Components Rating |
8 |
Overall Comments
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I would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for an inexpensive banjo with a resonator -- I'm glad I discovered it. This was lowest price I could find on a resonator banjo without having to go used. It sounds good, plays very well (once the frets were leveled, which is not an expensive job). It certainly looks good, is very light (I bought if for my nine year old son to play, so I wanted something light), can double as an open back, and looks like it will last a long time. You really do seem to get well more than what you pay for in this model, and I look forward to playing it myself. Overall, a real bargain for beginners, and I think some more experienced players may even be impressed/surprised by it. |
Overall Rating |
8 |
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