Deering Goodtime  Reviews

Deering Goodtime submitted 9/22/2008 Submitter pluckyfingers (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased EF Productions Year Purchased 2007 Price Paid 329 ($US) Sound Has a "real "banjo sound and can be made brighter or duller depending on what you want it to sound like. The family commented on how nice it sounded on the first day I had it. It sounds even better now. Sound Rating 8 Setup Played well straight out of the box. Bright and clear with perfect action for both bluegrass and clawhammer. Changed the head to a renaisance and bridge to moon light and tailpiece to a no knot. $50 worth all up and worth it. Easy to modify and play around with. Setup Rating 8 Appearance All in perfect condition. Well made banjo with no imperfections. A local luthier commented on the build quality. Appearance Rating 8 Reliability After a year everything works well. The tuners stay in tune, no finish blemishes and wood solid as a rock. Reliability Rating 8 Customer Service Greg Deering sounds like a very nice person. Customer Service not rated Components I like the lightness and comfort factor of this banjo. After all it is often touted as a travel banjo, but it is much more than that, it is a cleverly made American banjo made by a great company. Components Rating 8 Overall Comments Would replace it. Get one at the lowest price you can and don't feel guilty taking it out. If you want a "real" banjo sound in a real instrument at an affordable price this is one of the best you can get. This banjo is the T Model Ford of banjos they only come in one colour, not black. Overall Rating 8

Deering Goodtime submitted 7/5/2008 Submitter Bernie P. (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Mtn Music Old Forge NY Year Purchased 2007 Price Paid $300 ($US) Sound This banjo has excellent sound considering the price.Easily the best in it's price range and better than many costing considerably more.With a good setup it holds up well when playing up the neck but cant stand with pro level banjos in this area.All in all real nice sound for either Scruggs style or clawhammer.I base the sound rating on the price range/others in its class. Sound Rating 10 Setup Al Worthen is the owner of the shop where I bought it and one of only four "Master Deering dealers" in the USA.He's a very skilled luthier and does a great job setting up all the instruments in his shop.He likes his customers to bring their banjos back after a couple months of playing to check and make any adjustments if needed. Setup Rating 10 Appearance It's a very basic looking banjo.No fancy inlays or woods are used.Pretty much all maple.I'm not real crazy about the peghead shape but otherwise it looks pretty good. Appearance Rating 7 Reliability Theres not a whole lot that could go wrong with such a simple design-so far so good.The tuners are simple geared units and hold tune very well.All the other hardware is holding up fine to. Reliability Rating not rated Customer Service I've never had a problem so I cant comment on dealing with Deering/warranty issues.From what I hear they are great to deal with and stand behind their products.Same goes for Al at Mtn. Music. Customer Service not rated Components Nothing fancy here.All the components are well made and should last a long time.All parts are made in the USA. Components Rating 8 Overall Comments This is an excellent banjo to start out on and a keeper to knock around with should you decide to upgrade to a pro level banjo later.It's a quality banjo regardless of its basic,simple design with great sound.I do wish the neck was a bit meatier to fit my hand better but othwise I'm very happy with it. Overall Rating 9

Deering Goodtime submitted 1/2/2008 Submitter pinenut (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased pawn shop Year Purchased 2006 Price Paid Don't Remember (bought USED) historic exchange rates / currency converter Sound skin head sounds good. changed to amber and it sounds great Sound Rating 8 Setup non-existant as purchased. its good now Setup Rating 1 Appearance this is an old goodtime the pot has curl all around inside and out Appearance Rating 10 Reliability built tough Reliability Rating 7 Customer Service does not apply. Deering builds a product worth standing behind Customer Service 8 Components CHANGE OUT THE GUITAR TUNERS THAT WORK FINE AND LOOK BAD for some geared banjo tuners. warning: must enlarge holes. Components Rating 7 Overall Comments Good starter banjo. I do love it. plays true action ok Overall Rating 8

Deering Goodtime submitted 8/15/2007 Submitter kevinl (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Local paper Year Purchased 2007 Price Paid 200 ($US) Sound Sounds great I like to play clawhammer style, nice bright sound . Sound Rating 9 Setup Set up was pretty good I tightened the head a little. Setup Rating 9 Appearance Plain Styling, Very clean apperance which is good for my taste. Appearance Rating 10 Reliability Seems like you could paddle a canoe with it and it would still play. Reliability Rating 10 Customer Service Have not dealt with Deering yet.??? Customer Service not rated Components Tuners are kind of cheap but they work well (What do you expect for $200 ?) Components Rating 9 Overall Comments I would recommend this banjo to anyone.I would cry if someone stole it.The first time I played it I knew it was a keeper .I like its natural wood look.I dont have to much to compare it to besides a Fender fb54 (nice firewood). .All in all it is a very nice banjo for the price paid. Overall Rating 10

Deering Goodtime submitted 1/21/2007 Submitter flowerofthewest (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Deering Banjo Company Year Purchased 2006 Price Paid 700 ($US) Sound This is an open back banjo. It is quite an amazing little banjo. No tone ring so the sound is not really loud, but loud enough for playing with friends and practicing alone. The original set up is good enough for me. It sounds bright and plunky. For what it is and the price paid, the sound is great. I am very happy with it. Sound Rating 10 Setup The banjo was purchased in April and sat in my friend's house until December when I visited and opened her up. The set up was spot on. No changes made. Just tuned her up and gave her a good run. Setup Rating 10 Appearance I bought a Special Edition banjo (hence the higher price). Greg Deering make 8 special necks for the Goodtime - walnut inlays on the peghead and down the neck. It looks much fancier than the traditional Goodtime. i had the better tuners put on the banjo instead of the stock ones they put on. Also had the railroad spikes added. I quite like the look of the banjo. It's very different from the others I have. Appearance Rating 10 Reliability Yes, the hardware should last. I had the upgraded hardware added to the banjo. The finish is good for the banjo that it is. I imagine the finish will wear easier than better banjos, but hey, it's a Goodtime! I would not use it gigging; it's a bit too quiet for that. Reliability Rating 9 Customer Service I have not dealt with them yet. It is under warranty. Customer Service not rated Components Because it's a Special Edition banjo, it has really cute wanut inlays down the neck and a custom floral walnut inlay on the peghead. I think the hardware on it is fine for the banjo that it is. Components Rating 10 Overall Comments If you want a reliable little banjo that has been smartened up a it, Yes! I love it! Because it's a Special Edition, I doubt I could find another like it. I would write Greg Deering and ask him to make me another. Overall Rating 10

Deering Goodtime submitted 1/15/2007 Submitter brewmaster (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Ebay Year Purchased 2006 Price Paid $270 ($US) (bought USED) Sound Sounds good to me for the price. Not very bright or deep. Sound goes downhill fast past the 10th or so fret. Sound Rating 7 Setup Action was set pretty high bridge was out of wack and the head was waaaaay too loose....but I did buy it used so I can't blame deering for that. It was all easy to fix. It did come with Mastertone D-tuners which is nice as the stock tuners are pretty cheap. Setup Rating 8 Appearance It aint pretty but it aint ugly. Plain jane is more like it. Appearance Rating 5 Reliability Like a rock. Reliability Rating 10 Customer Service Never called Deering so I have no idea. Customer Service not rated Components It would have made being a beginer easier if it had neckside dots. Everything else was fine. Components Rating 8 Overall Comments Overall Rating 8

Deering Goodtime submitted 12/27/2006 Submitter pinch (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased eBay Year Purchased 2005 Price Paid 256 ($US) (bought USED) Sound Sounds like a banjo. Sound Rating 8 Setup The head badly needed tightening when I received it, but that was easy to do. Otherwise the banjo has been just fine. Setup Rating 8 Appearance Looks like a banjo (from Ikea). Appearance Rating 8 Reliability I don't think the Goodtime has a finish or if it does it is not obvious. Either way, it suits me fine. Reliability Rating 8 Customer Service All the advice one could ever want is available at info@deeringbanjos.com or (619)464-8252. I never plucked a banjo string before receiving my Goodtime. The folks at Deering were very helpful to this newbie. Customer Service 10 Components Tuners could be better, but they are quite adequate. Everything else is fine. I added an armrest which seemed to be a necessary addition for me. I attached a leather strap. Because the instrument is so light I just used a strap from one of my wife's old purses. Components Rating 8 Overall Comments I *love* this banjo and recommend it to anyone, especially someone just getting started. It is light so I'll take it anywhere including vacations. I keep mine at work so I can practice at breaktime. Buy this banjo for quality at a low price and low weight which makes it easy to grab and play. Overall Rating 10

Deering Goodtime submitted 6/2/2006 Submitter Certassar (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Eagle Music Shop UK Year Purchased 2006 Price Paid appx. 250 (pound sterling) historic exchange rates / currency converter Sound Mellow and pleasant, a bit weak above the 12th fret. Lacks the twang and pop of tone-ring banjos, but the wooden sound has its own charm. Low volume but very balanced sound. Being an open-back it’s easily muted with a small towel stuck between the cordinator rod and the head, making it very silent while keeping good tone and pitch. Sound Rating 7 Setup Action was a bit high, but easily lowered. Otherwise no need for changes (except for the addition of an arm rest). Setup Rating 8 Appearance Probably the ugliest banjo ever produced by a professionel banjo manufacturer. However, the unpretentious appearance is a powerful statement telling you, that all the money went into quality and nothing else. It’s ugly and it’s supposed to be! That makes it a very honest banjo, and it has my respect. Appearance Rating 5 Reliability Despite the low price it’s a really reliable banjo. It keeps the tuning fairly well. Being very light weight it’s not as fragile as other banjos and could probably take a lot of beatings and bruises without suffering too much. Perfect for beginners and travellers. Reliability Rating 8 Customer Service Ordered it in the EagleMusic web shop and received the banjo about a few weeks after. No problems. Customer Service 9 Components Expectations should normally be set low, when considering a banjo in this price range, but Deering really know their stuff. The components are plain, the wood is multi-ply composite, the tuners are geared guitar style tuners, it only has 16 bracket hooks, and so on. But still it works perfectly and the result is a nice sounding work horse of a banjo. The fret board is surprisingly accurate making it enjoyable to play even for advanced pickers. The only problem in my opinion is the lack of an arm rest. If you consider buying a Goodtime, then be sure to order a Vega style arm rest as well. Components Rating 7 Overall Comments Having both a Goodtime and a Sierra there is no question about which of my two banjos has the best sound, but it’s still the Goodtime that gets picked the most. Its light weight and low volume makes it so easy to just pick it up at any time and anywhere. It’s perfect as a beginners banjo, and a perfect companion for the more advanced picker who need a banjo for traveling, singing around the camp fire, or just some casual picking. I can’t imagine anyone ever regretting buying a Deering Goodtime. Overall Rating 9

Deering Goodtime submitted 3/15/2006 Submitter Unknown Where Purchased Ebay Year Purchased 2006 Price Paid 280 ($US) Sound It has a smooth, mellow sound. Although it's an open back...no resonator, no tone ring....it has adequate sound. It came with a factory-installed pickup. I plan to team it with a Behringer ACX-100 60-watt acoustic amp for gigs. Sound Rating 8 Setup Banjo was set up ok when I bought it. I got it from a music store, where it had been an occasionally-used demo for 3 years. Although the dealer told me the (original) strings were fine, they weren't. I put on new strings and now it's fine. No other adjustments or setup needed. Setup Rating 8 Appearance The Deering Goodtime banjo is deliberately plain in appearance. This one has factory-applied teal green paint, which gives it a "different" look....very distinctive. It's also very light...4 lbs. My previous banjo weighed about 5 times as much. Appearance Rating 8 Reliability The rock maple construction will last a good long time. It stays in tune and holds up under heavy use. It's a Deering...I expect it to provide dependable use for years. Reliability Rating 8 Customer Service I've got a 1-year warranty. Customer Service not rated Components The guitar-type tuners work well. The factory-installed pickup works well. Overall, a good, solid banjo. Components Rating 8 Overall Comments I would recommend this banjo for the type of music I play...basic bluegrass, folk, and Irish songs in the Key of C. I don't do a lot of fancy picking...just basic Scruggs-style picking. This is not a banjo for a bluegrass picker. But if you're a casual banjo player like me, whose main instrument is guitar, and you use the banjo to switch off to when the song is appropriate, this is a great instrument. Overall Rating 8

Deering Goodtime submitted 3/9/2006 Submitter BigRedWarEagle (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Ken Stanton Music Year Purchased 2006 Price Paid 199 ($US) Sound Amazing sound for the price. I got the open back model because I already have a Huber Vintage on order, but I'll be keeping this one as my camping banjo. Sound Rating 8 Setup Set up quite well - didn't require many adjustments Setup Rating 7 Appearance I love the simplistic look. Doesn't try to be more than it is...love it. Appearance Rating 10 Reliability Tuners are pretty poor, but it's not an expensive banjo so I didn't expect much. Reliability Rating 6 Customer Service I've always had good experiences with Deering's representatives when calling for the history behind my banjos (told me a load about my Maple Blossom) Customer Service 10 Components Good stuff except for the tuners Components Rating 6 Overall Comments I adore this banjo - it's inexpensive and sounds sweet. I pat myself on the back every time I play it. Overall Rating 8

Deering Goodtime submitted 9/9/2005 Submitter Unknown Where Purchased Elderly Year Purchased 2005 Price Paid 190 ($US) (bought USED) Sound Can't complain, fairly loud, nice tone it sounds the way I want it to sound Sound Rating 8 Setup The banjo was sold "AS IS" and not set up I set it up myself, it wasn't hard. Setup Rating not rated Appearance I LIKE the way it looks, simple and functional Appearance Rating 10 Reliability I don't see what can go wrong with it Reliability Rating 10 Customer Service This was sold "AS IS" and not set up. Elderly told me what was needed and how to do it, and I've always been happy dealing with Deering Customer Service 10 Components I put a Moon Bridge and a Ren head on it, and I put a Vega style arm-rest on it The changes were made because I wanted to, not because I needed to. It is a solid instrument Components Rating 10 Overall Comments This is the banjo that I pick up and play everyday, I take it with me when I go places. If anything happened to it I would get another. Overall Rating 10

Deering Goodtime submitted 6/1/2005 Submitter CrippleCreek (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Guitar Center Year Purchased 2003 Price Paid 250 est ($US) Sound Good sound for price. Sound Rating 6 Setup Well made. Changed bridge. Setup Rating 8 Appearance Very spartan looks. Unique though. Appearance Rating 4 Reliability Very reliable. Reliability Rating 7 Customer Service N/A Customer Service not rated Components VERY easy to play and fret. Comfortable. Components Rating 10 Overall Comments Excellent first banjo and use it to take with you due to its light weight. Overall Rating 10

Deering Goodtime submitted 5/12/2005 Submitter Unknown Where Purchased Folk of the Wood Year Purchased 2002 Price Paid 250 ($US) Sound This is one of the best sounding banjos I've ever heard. I do a lot of frailing and this is the perfect banjo. Also, I'm currently learning Scrugg style and this banjo is perfect for that too. I bought this banjo as a beginning/intermediate piece and I'd recommend it to anyone. Sound Rating 10 Setup Set up was perfect when I got the banjo. I did not need to change a thing. Setup Rating 10 Appearance I like the natural maple look of the Goodtimes. So I'd have to say the look is great. I've had mine for a few years now and the maple is starting to turn a bit yellowish and a bit darker, which is in stark contrast to the white maple look when it was new. I like the look of the maple as it ages. Appearance Rating 10 Reliability This thing is solid (even though it's pretty light). I've got small kids and you can only imagine what they've spilled on it. My son drew on the peghead with crayons and I was able to clean everything up very easily. The finish is still great. This banjo gets played every day and it is holding up just fine. Reliability Rating 10 Customer Service Never had any issues so I have not had to contact customer service. But just browsing through the Folk of the Wood web site, they seem very customer oriented. They have lots of good advice for the beginner and have a really great Q&A area that I have found helpful on item unrelated to this banjo. Customer Service 9 Components Maple neck and rim are solid. Tuners are fine, they are guitar style but work well. I've seen people change out the tuners for Planetary style for a different look but everything that comes on the Goodtime is of a good quality. There is no weak link. Components Rating 10 Overall Comments I would recommend (in fact I have) this banjo for anyone who is looking for a good beginner/intermediate banjo. I've been looking to upgrade to a more "professional" openback banjo and the only intrument that I've found that has a better feel and sound than the Goodtime is the Deering Vega 2. Everything else I've played has not been as nice to play as the Goodtime. This banjo is so well put together that I probably will never get rid of it. And if it was lost or stolen, I would definitely buy another one. Overall Rating 10

Deering Goodtime submitted 3/10/2005 Submitter garyblanchard (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased EF Productions Music & Sound Year Purchased 2005 Price Paid 225 ($US) Sound Nice bright sound (actually a bit too bright for my taste). I am putting on a fiberskyn head and raising the tailpiece to make it a little plunkier. The volume is great for the music I play. Sound Rating 9 Setup The banjo was well set-up when I got it. All I needed to do was tune and start playing. The action is nice, not too high and no buzzing strings. Setup Rating 9 Appearance I love the look of the Goodtime. The light colored wood on the body, neck and fretboard have an inviting look. The woodburned logo suits my sensibilities and i love the art-deco headstock. Appearance Rating 10 Reliability This will be my prome banjo, and I'm expecting it to hold out well. Reliability Rating 9 Customer Service I lost out on the warranty by not buyimg from an authorized dealer, but my every contact with the folks at Deering has been outstanding. Very friendly, courteous, and helpful. Customer Service 10 Components There is nothing on this banjo that I would "upgrade." The only real change will be the fiberskyn head. Components Rating 10 Overall Comments I have tried a number of openback banjos, ranging in price from $200 to $2,500. This is the banjo that most met my needs. I feel it is a great bargain at the price and is a nicely constructed banjo. I would reccomend it to anyone! Overall Rating 9

Deering Goodtime submitted 2/5/2005 Submitter Eric123 (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Ebay Year Purchased 2005 Price Paid 305 ($US) (bought USED) Sound I love the sound of this banjo. I started playing (clawhammer style) a month ago on a $100 dollar import banjo and the difference in sound quality and resonance is unbeliveable. I can get much more volume with a lighter touch on my Goodtime. It came with a gig bag, an armrest, and professionally installed capo spike on three frets. Sound Rating 8 Setup The banjo was set up for a three finger player and the action was too high for my taste, so I adjusted it to a lower setting, re-tuned it and that was it. Setup Rating 8 Appearance Some people do not like the untradtional look of the Goodtime but I think it is pretty cool. Appearance Rating 7 Reliability This feels like a really solid banjo. I have not had any of the strings give off that anoying buzz like my import banjo did. Reliability Rating 8 Customer Service N/A Customer Service not rated Components All parts seem solid and well put togethor. Components Rating 10 Overall Comments I have never played any other banjos other than My Goodtime and my cheapo. But I listened to a lot of sound clips from other banjos before I decided on the Goodtime. I do not think you will find a better sounding banjo than the Goodtime for under a thousnad dollars. IMO Overall Rating 8

Deering Goodtime submitted 10/22/2003 Submitter heyjude (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Ebay auction Year Purchased 2003 Price Paid 240.00 ($US) (bought USED) Sound I love the sound of this banjo. Plunkety, plunkety, learning clawhammer on it. Sound Rating 8 Setup I didn't do anything after i got it but tune it and play it. I did check Deering's website to learn how to check the set up and everything was right up to spec. Setup Rating 8 Appearance Very simplistic, not much to go wrong or get out of kilter. The Zippo of banjos. Not a classic or traditional look but it grows on you. I like it! Appearance Rating 8 Reliability I think you could paddle a canoe with this banjo, it's tough. Definately my choice for hard use: picnics, camping, outdoor jams, canoe triips, whatever. Reliability Rating 10 Customer Service Bought used, haven't dealt with the company. Customer Service not rated Components Components are plain jane but should last as long as the expensive, fancy stuff. Nothing on it that I would change. Components Rating 8 Overall Comments I got three banjos and this one is played the most. I keep it by the computer so I grab it while waiting for downloads. I stays out where I can grab it anytime. Everybody should have one. Overall Rating 10

Deering Goodtime submitted 10/9/2003 Submitter Unknown Where Purchased KSM Guitars Year Purchased 2002 Price Paid 250.00 ($US) Sound As a teacher I was looking for a banjo I could afford to purchase and rent out to students who want to try the banjo but don't want to buy one. Naturally, I want the banjo to sell them on playing the banjo so it has to be emminantly playable and sound nice as well.. Tall order for a cheap banjo but this one fits the bill! Very nice, mellow, old timey sound, clean and breezy. Likes=Cheap, excellent playability rivaling many in the multi-thousand dollar catagory, nice tone and very effectively turns novices into banjo players, just as I hoped it would. Dislikes= Not particularly beautiful, especially the headstock and the fingerjoint used to attach the headstock, other than that not much to dislike here. (Note.. in the numerical ratings I'm going to rate this as compared to others of similar price..) Sound Rating 10 Setup Every one I've purchased so far has been set up very well. I haven't had to tweak one yet. It comes with an adjustable tailpiece and neck so tweaking will be a breeze if it becomes necessary. Setup Rating 9 Appearance The body is maple and cedar laminate (I think) and the neck is rock maple with no additional fingerboard. About as basic as they come. The clear satin finish looks nice and the neck is very fast. The only thing I don't like is the headstock is kind of large and cheesy looking and a readily apparent fingerjoint was used to attach it.. Minor complaint. Appearance Rating 5 Reliability Impressinve hardware. Geared tuners. Been using 'em for a year now and they're holding up very nicely. Reliability Rating 9 Customer Service I'm a longtime Deering fan. My main instrument is a Deering Calico and I love it, but I've never had the need to interact with them. Customer Service not rated Components Nice tuners for a banjo in this pricerange. Fast, comfortable neck. No complaints. Components Rating 9 Overall Comments I absolutely and whole heartedly recommend this bango to anyone who wants a nice playing, nice sounding banjo and has less than $500.00 to spend. I think you'd have to pay a thousand or more to get anything with similar performance. I love it because it does just what I hoped it would which is generate enthusiasm in a beginning banjo player. In this price range there is nothing like it. Overall Rating 10

Deering Goodtime submitted 10/8/2003 Submitter Unknown Where Purchased Ebay Year Purchased 2003 Price Paid ($US) (bought USED) Sound Nice bright sound, as good as any other banjo in it's price range. Sound Rating 9 Setup Easy to fret, particularly for those with small hands. Action is easy, and easily changed. Setup Rating 10 Appearance Nice clear finish without flaws. I don't care for the IKEA type styling or fingerjoint at the neck/headstock. Appearance Rating 7 Reliability Quality components and workmanship. Seems as durable as any. Reliability Rating 8 Customer Service None needed. Customer Service not rated Components The stock guitar type tuners on this banjo were replaced with planetary tuners, the stock head was replaced with an Elite head, and a Vega armrest was added. Components Rating 8 Overall Comments I recommend this as a good learning banjo which you can reasonably expect to graduate from at the point when you get out to play with others and need more volume. It's a nice sounding banjo to practice with when you don't want to drive others from the house with a louder banjo. I personally do not prefer it's looks, but it's a good player. It works well for both frailing and 3 finger picking. Overall Rating 8

Deering Goodtime submitted 4/27/2003 Submitter Buzzard (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased mucisians friend-mailorder Year Purchased 2001 Price Paid 200.00 ($US) Sound surprisingly loud for an openback & to my uneducated ear a bit tinny i bought it to learn basics & some clawhammer. I like the tone of it better when i plunk & strum over the last few frets. when i use picks & attempt some rolls it really has snap & rings well picked in a more conventional spot Sound Rating 7 Setup the banjo was well set up to be a cheesegrater out of the box. wouldent play in tune very high action (but thats what i get for buying mailorder from a guitar shop i guess) Jerry from the Prescott Folklore Center ajusted the action, tightened the neck, set the bridge properly, trimmed the fret ends, & installed a couple of spikes for me. very easy to finger now Setup Rating 2 Appearance personally it beats the tar out of my old harmony as far as looks goes. i like the look of raw wood. the grain pattern is easy for me to see & it looks like decent quality maple. there really is no finish to speak of so therefor no flaws in that & the hardware is in very good shape, no rust or pitting. it dosent feel cheap. Appearance Rating 8 Reliability there is a bit of slop in the 5th string tuner & im not wild about the guitar tuners but they do operate smoothly on the whole & do stay in tune. i like the feel of the satin finish on the neck & now that its properly set up i wouldent be afraid to play on it anytime anywhere Reliability Rating 9 Customer Service warrenty was good for a year from the factory & it was past that when i moved to Prescott & found my banjo guru Customer Service not rated Components at this price for the quality i got (other than the set-up which i believe now was a fluke) i think its more than a good deal. i would upgrade the tuners eventually Components Rating 9 Overall Comments i wouldent hesitate to recommend this banjo to anyone looking for a starter. altho i must say that where i used to live there wasnt much in the way of quality student type openback banjos to choose from (Phoenix). now that ive had an oppertunity to plunk on plenty of other banjos, my big hands might choose something with a fatter neck. Overall Rating 7

Deering Goodtime submitted 12/10/2002 Submitter fbanjo (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Year Purchased Price Paid Don't Remember historic exchange rates / currency converter Sound Sound Rating 5 Setup Setup Rating 7 Appearance Appearance Rating 5 Reliability Reliability Rating 7 Customer Service Customer Service 7 Components Components Rating 5 Overall Comments Overall Rating 6

Deering Goodtime submitted 9/5/2002 Submitter Unknown Where Purchased folkofthewood.com Year Purchased 2002 Price Paid ($US) Sound Imagine the difference between Kathleen Turner and Lisa Simpson. Which one gives you a visceral response? Well, the Goodtime is up for it, warm and woodsy. Sound Rating 8 Setup Dialed in and ready to go! Way easier than the Mail Order ones you get from Sinoasia. I pulled it out, started strumming, and phew...the vibrant melodies put the room into a hedonistic intensity. Setup Rating 9 Appearance Appearance is not important when you're reaching for the soul. Appearance Rating 5 Reliability Just like people, reliability is subject to luck, care, and love. It will be past on to multiple generations. Reliability Rating 10 Customer Service Customer Service not rated Components Entertainment gives us what we want. Art gives us what we don't know that we want. Components Rating 6 Overall Comments But what's with all the mp3 and real audio's of banjo samples? How can we be sure the samples are presented in a consistent recording and compressions standard. I'd like to see a matrix of different models that are presented so that accurate comparisons can be made to the sound. Music is to the soul as making love is to Joanne. Qualification, criteria, criticisms, judgements are moot now, because we belong to each other. Absolute forgiveness and unconditional love... Overall Rating 10

Deering Goodtime submitted 8/28/2002 Submitter Foucault (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Elderly Instruments Year Purchased 2002 Price Paid 295 ($US) Sound This banjo has a beautiful, warm sound. I use it for playing bluegrass and clawhammer styles and it sounds great both ways, even without a resonator (I have the open-back model.) You can get a good contrast between playing quietly and loudly. If considering buying, I recommend playing several if possible. There was quite a difference between the four different banjos I had to choose between. Hearing them played by someone else helped me choose the right one for me. Sound Rating 9 Setup I haven't needed to change the setup one bit. The action seems just right. Adjustments seem easy to make. Setup Rating 10 Appearance The look of this instrument is what puts a lot of people off. It doesn't particularly look traditional. I consider it to be a "beautiful blond" - if Ikea made banjos, they'd probably look like this! Appearance Rating 8 Reliability It really looks and feels well-made and solid. I don't think Greg Deering would allow something that was going to fall apart quickly, to leave his factory. Reliability Rating 9 Customer Service I really can't rate Deering's customer service, since I haven't had reason to contact them. The banjo has a one year warranty. Elderly's sales people, on the other hand, were great. Because I hadn't played before, they found a salesperson who could play several banjos for me, so I could "audition" them. Customer Service 9 Components This is a very basic instrument, with no frills. The tuners seemed a little insubstantial, in comparison to my Taylor Big Baby guitar. Components Rating 8 Overall Comments I love this banjo! It's fun to play, and you can't beat the price. Thoroughly recommended for a beginner's instrument or as a backup or travel instrument. I'd buy another if this one was stolen (and my wife would let me!) I would say that this is the banjo equivalent of the Taylor Big Baby guitar - a quality instrument, made well, but stripped of the frills that make an instrument expensive. Overall Rating 9

Deering Goodtime submitted 4/23/2002 Submitter Unknown Where Purchased Mike's Music Supply, Flintstone, GA Year Purchased 2001 Price Paid 250 ($US) Sound Incredible sound, esp. for an open-backed banjo, and the price. It's bright, and plenty loud. Am a novice, but more experienced folks have told me this is a really good sounding banjo. Sound Rating 8 Setup Haven't had to change a thing, yet. A pro might need to tweak, but it seems about perfect to me. Setup Rating 10 Appearance It's simple, no resonator, but doesn't look cheap. Nice light natural wood finish. Nickel plating on the tension hoop is slightly pitted in places (more by feel than sight.) Appearance Rating 7 Reliability Seems extremely solid and well made. The 5th peg tuner seems to have a little play in the knob. Reliability Rating 9 Customer Service Haven't had long enough to have any problems :-) but Deering has impressed me with their approach to building banjos. Took more than 6 months for the requested Maintenance Manual to arrive, however, Deering's website (www.deeringbanjos.com) has the same info and lots more besides. Customer Service 9 Components Probably the best thing about the Goodtime is that it is an inexpensive banjo, but it doesn't use plastic like some similarly priced banjos from overseas. It has an adjustable coordinator rod and tailpiece, and a maple rim. It uses guitar-style tuners. Components Rating 8 Overall Comments I don't think you'll find a better Overall Rating 10

Deering Goodtime submitted 2/22/2002 Submitter Unknown Where Purchased Boe's Strings Year Purchased 2000 Price Paid $325 historic exchange rates / currency converter Sound I'm a frailer and was really eyeing a '64 Gibson that had been on the rack for a while. When I picked up the Goodtime II, I couldn't believe the feel and the sound: soft and rich. I haven't even given a thought to taking the resonator off, although it is available in open backed on the Deering WEB page. Sound Rating 10 Setup Set-up perfectly when I bought it. New strings were all that it needed and slight shift in the bridge location. Setup Rating 10 Appearance This banjo has a very peculiar look: blonde and beautiful. Looks almost like birds-eye maple with the logo branded on. Appearance Rating 10 Reliability I'd prefer to have the more traditional Gibson-like tuners, not the open gear, guitar style like this has. A hook to slide the fifth string up to the 7th fret for playing in A/D modal tunings would be another bonus, but what do you want for 325 bucks and a gig bag? Reliability Rating 8 Customer Service Deering has a very good WEB page on maintenance and such, but the only extent to which I have contacted them. Customer Service 8 Components See reliability comments. It stays in tune, even though it's probably time to tighten up the head after 2 years of playing around. Components Rating 7 Overall Comments Looks and feels like a steal to me, especially since the other review on this banjo was $150 more than what I paid. Great feel, sound and overall very nice toy. Overall Rating 9