Deering Goodtime PP Open Back Reviews

Deering Goodtime PP Open Back submitted 6/3/2006 Submitter 2manyTaylors (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased banjo.com Year Purchased 2006 Price Paid Don't Remember historic exchange rates / currency converter Sound The Goodtime is not very loud, but has a round, full tone that is real easy to listen to. I have the E-Z resonator, but have not installed it yet, until I decide if it needs it. It was set-up by Barry at banjo.com to be not too bright and not too mellow. I really like it so far. This is my first open-back, so I am getting used to it. Sound Rating 9 Setup Barry set it up just before shipping it to me. It arrived just right, needed tuning a little, as it had gone slightly flat, but it traveled from Atlanta to Kansas City, and UPS is not known for their love of musical instruments. The action was fine, and the intonation is perfect. I imagine that even I will be able to adjust this instrument, it is so simply constructed and in no way intimadating like my Calico. I have bought the Bart Veerman bridge, and am fixing to install it. I didn't care for the Deering strings. They seem rough to be. Gibson Scruggs are going on it soon. Setup Rating 9 Appearance Someone compared the Goodtime to the Taylor Big Baby. If you are not familiar with guitars, the Big Baby is Taylor's "cheapie travel guitar". Cheap in the sense that it cost $300 instead of $3000, and you don't have to be afraid to play it, or take it somewhere like your main ax. I was disappointed at first by the neck attachment, and the cheap 5th string tuner, but again, it's not a Calico. Everything works, is well made, fit and finish flawless, excellent fret work. Even some bird's eye on the maple of the neck. The gloss finish is a must. Appearance Rating 9 Reliability The gloss finish seems pretty thick, and will probably stand up. The tailpiece and the tuners are not first-rate, but work fine and good enough for a beach banjo. Reliability Rating 8 Customer Service Deering Customer Service is quick and friendly. This is my second banjo from banjo.com, and they are first rate. You don't need to worry about buying sight unseen from these guys. They know what they are doing, and treat you like you are their very best customer. Barry called to help me select a banjo on wednesday, and it was here friday afternoon, set up and perfectly packed, Atlanta to KC. Customer Service 10 Components You might want a better tailpiece and tuners, and definitely replace the bridge. But everything is 'good enough' for the purpose this banjo was built for. Hey Deering, you forgot the armrest! Ouch! Components Rating 8 Overall Comments I love it! What a difference a lightweight banjo makes for playing comfort. Also, it does not intimidate me like my Calico does. It is easy to sit down on the couch and do some picking without 'getting dressed up' to play the Calico. Every banjo player needs a Goodtime. Overall Rating 10