Deering Goodtime
submitted 2/23/2012
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Submitter |
tasrev |
Where Purchased |
banjo.com |
Year Purchased |
2010 |
Price Paid |
470 ($US) - shop, $720 (AUD) shipped |
Sound
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I play clawhammer.
Sound out of the box on arrival from the US - amazing. Louder than any openback I'd played (music shops in Australia rarely have a good range of banjos).
Clarity of notes/brightness was my first impression.
Now having gotten used to it and having a K&K pickup installed I notice the characteristics and limitations of the sound a bit more.
It's very bright. I think the head needs to be mellower for the sake of keeping more mids/lows in the mix.
When playing at an old-time jam session it seems to get lost.
I like how it sings when playing by itself, but trying to make it work in a group situation or at the moment through a PA is a struggle. Not sure if it's the banjo itslef, the tone of the banjo, the pickup or the PA setup.
Get's louder and warmer with my pop-on resonator.
For the price though, a great sound. |
Sound Rating |
9 |
Setup
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I emailed the guys at banjo.com to make sure it was good to go when it arrived in Oz (I didn't buy a case).
Got it out of the box and it was in tune (after being shipped)!
I played it for hours that arvo.
Action, neck, tension - great!
Changes made:
Railroad spike 7th fret
K&K pickup with jack drilled into the rim
Heavy strings
Soon to change to Fibreskyn head for more low-end tone |
Setup Rating |
10 |
Appearance
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I love the look of it. Some people hate the appearences - that's fine.
I find the blonde wood striking.
Love the bow ties.
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Appearance Rating |
8 |
Reliability
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Within a year of owning it the 5th string peg's plastic disintegrated.
I emailed Deering and got a personal email back pronto, with appologies, and they sent me a new (better) one.
Apart from that, great! |
Reliability Rating |
6 |
Customer Service
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Dealt with Deering via email when the 5th string peg disaster happened.
Best customer service EVER!
Friendly, prompt, understanding. |
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
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I think they should offer different heads as standard (choose).
Tuning peg on 5th String wasn't flash, but is now fixed. |
Components Rating |
8 |
Overall Comments
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A great starter banjo if you live in the US, or if you find a used one for roughly equivalent pricing in AUD.
This is a better than average entry/upper entry level banjo, especially for someone having to buy off the internet (overseas). It's so much better than the cheap Chinese rubbish they sell here.
I'd recommend this for anyone. |
Overall Rating |
10 |
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