Gomer - Posted - 05/11/2010:  13:12:23

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quote:

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Originally posted by vsiddhartha

I realize (I hope) the objection is somewhat facetious,.. .

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Facetious is a beautiful and beguiling word. I would say that the post is pretty much facetious. I could be wrong.

Janet Deering - Posted - 05/12/2010:  00:22:39

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It's so much fun to read your interplay I don't want to answer! I might ruin the fun!

Actually, my first banjo was a Calico. The #1 Calico which is now in a museum in Alabama in a display of the Foster Family. I miss it terribly but it has been there for about 25 years.

My next banjo was a Hartford which I dearly loved until someone wanted it desperately when we needed the cash. I miss that one too!

Then I ordered the Deluxe when my son and I were taking lessons and that again was purchased by a happy customer when we were in a lull...

I've been able to enjoy playing many of the models we make over the years and each one is special in it's own way for for particular kinds of music and styles of playing.

We personally have several Goodtime banjos around the house which are always fun... and several prototype banjos that aren't really a standard model.

We have an Eagle which Greg practically sleeps with! He has taken that one with him everywhere since he built it. He owns the first prototype.

I guess the peril of being a banjo maker is that it's hard to keep one when so many people want them and especially when we have bills to pay....

It's like the plumber who needs plumbing work or the car repairman whose car is never fixed. Right now I don't have my own banjo.... Humm..... I'll have to think about which one I would order.... that is a very hard choice!

I love them all! If I chose my favorites it would be a dozen of them.

Janet Deering - Posted - 05/12/2010:  00:29:33

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Josh,
I did see the photos you posted of your Goodtime banjo.

I asked Chad, our QC manager about it. He said that sometimes when we turn the rims there can be a slight flat spot and it looks like you might have a flat spot right there at the joint.

If you pay the shipping both ways and send it in with a note to Chad about it, we will swap it out for a new one.

vsiddhartha - Posted - 05/12/2010:  07:40:20

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quote:

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Originally posted by Janet Deering

Josh,
I did see the photos you posted of your Goodtime banjo.

I asked Chad, our QC manager about it. He said that sometimes when we turn the rims there can be a slight flat spot and it looks like you might have a flat spot right there at the joint.

If you pay the shipping both ways and send it in with a note to Chad about it, we will swap it out for a new one.

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Janet, thank you for your time and your responsiveness. It’s good to have an explanation. The other issue I mentioned in my last post is separate with regards to how the fingerboard is actually touching the counterhoop on my banjo. In the photo below, from the Deering website, there’s a considerable space between the two parts. I was just wondering, which is the way it’s supposed to be, or is either acceptable?

Rather than jumping right into how (or even whether) these two issues should be fixed, my first question was really meant just to ask you: are they normal variations in manufacturing/assembly of your banjos that are acceptable to your quality standards, or were they missed by QC? With all due respect, if it’s the latter I would expect it to be handled as a warranty issue at no expense to me. If it’s the former, well then there’s no problem with the banjo at all, and I’ll be on my merry way!

Andy Campbell - Posted - 05/13/2010:  03:46:49

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Janet

Is it possible to buy a long neck for a Goodtime?

Andy

Gold Star GF-85 - Posted - 05/13/2010:  07:35:15

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Although I do not have a high end Deering Banjo I do own a Stelling Sunflower and a Gibson ESS. But what I was looking for when I bought the Deering I have which is a light weight open back Banjo to sit next to my chair so in the evening time I could pick it up and do a little practice ( I have Back problems and also had major surgery in my stomach area so I can't lift the good Banjo's over the arm of my chair), so I purchased the newer Goodtime with the darken colored stain and upgraded tuner and RR Spikes already installed. It is a very nice Banjo "But" the one big fault I have with it and the only fault is: On the fret wires there is a very small dibbet or notch and is only noticable when choking the second string (B string) at different frets, it will catch or hang up every time, I thought that after a while it would wear down but it hasn't. And I have to admit that after paying $500 plus the new gig bag with the logo on it I am somewhat disappointed in it, I try to keep as much of my business in the US product lines if possible, and I went with Deering instead of a cheaper asian because I have always heard good things about them, and so I am not going to pay all the shipping to send it back so it looks like I will just be stuck with the flaw on it. Maybe it may just be the one I have and if not maybe it doesn't bother other customers like it does me.

God Bless

Big John

Other than that it is a nice quality built Banjo.

Gomer - Posted - 05/13/2010:  07:57:17

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quote:

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Originally posted by Gold Star GF-85

On the fret wires there is a very small dibbet or notch and is only noticable when choking the second string (B string) at different frets, it will catch or hang up every time.

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Hi John, I am currently awaiting trial on charges of assaulting the housekeeper when she accidentally knocked my banjo up against a cabinet. I don't know what everybody was so upset about, since I used a pillow so that no marks would be apparent. The fall raised a tiny nick on the frets which I addressed with some 800 grit sandpaper over a block. That worked great except that the prosecutor is thinking adding the charge of criminal instrument repair.

Frets are pretty soft, so all you really need to remember is to appropriately fortify yourself in advance. This is why most such repairs are undertaken on Saturdays in the evening.

dpete210 - Posted - 05/13/2010:  08:57:59

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I love them all! If I chose my favorites it would be a dozen of them.

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Thank you for your response to my "nosey" question, Mrs. Deering. As an owner of 3 Deering banjos, I kind of understand your dilemma, and it didn't surprise me to read that you don't have a personal banjo at this time. Maybe you should plant a seed in your husband's ear about making that JDL model for you.

wildboar - Posted - 05/13/2010:  10:01:28

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Janet,

I have a Goodtime Classic open back, and I'm considering one of the new Goodtime Specials. Is the finish on the neck of the blonde Goodtime as smooth to the touch as it is on the Classic model?

-dk

Gold Star GF-85 - Posted - 05/13/2010:  14:42:17

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I wasn't saying it couldn't be fixed because it can and it is still under warranty, but what I was saying it that since we were asked by Mrs. Deering about thier products, that it might be something to look into that may have effected more than just the one I bought, since the nick or dibbet is in the same place in a number of "frets" not in just one fret wire.

I can fix it and will when I change strings but since I have only had it a short time I haven't taken the time to do so, but thanks for the kind advice.

God Bless

RickMcDaniel - Posted - 05/17/2010:  20:51:44

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My wife and I were in San Diego last week on vacation, so we stopped by the Deering Banjo factory and did a tour. We were very impressed with the facility and the workmanship in the factory. They are really some accomplished people working in the factory. I'm an engineer by trade and it was really fascinating seeing the unique machines that Mr. Deering has constructed to make banjos.

PharmBoy - Posted - 05/18/2010:  07:18:56

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quote:

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Originally posted by Gold Star GF-85

I wasn't saying it couldn't be fixed because it can and it is still under warranty, but what I was saying it that since we were asked by Mrs. Deering about thier products, that it might be something to look into that may have effected more than just the one I bought, since the nick or dibbet is in the same place in a number of "frets" not in just one fret wire.

I can fix it and will when I change strings but since I have only had it a short time I haven't taken the time to do so, but thanks for the kind advice.

God Bless

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It might be over spray from the finish - I noticed that when they finished the neck of my GT classic 2, they sprayed everything, frets and all. The finish is now chipping off the frets.

bigal37 - Posted - 05/18/2010:  09:49:42

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Could anyone recommend a capo for my new Sierra? I would like one that would be able to "hang" on the nut.

vsiddhartha - Posted - 05/18/2010:  10:41:59

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Originally posted by PharmBoy
It might be over spray from the finish - I noticed that when they finished the neck of my GT classic 2, they sprayed everything, frets and all. The finish is now chipping off the frets.

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My new Goodtime has this too. I thought it was just some sort of coating on the fretwire, but this makes more sense. The coating on the frets is flaking/scraping off from fretting the strings, making the frets rough. A little annoying.

kirbonite - Posted - 05/18/2010:  20:59:34

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you can use a paige on a Deering. The angle of the peghead is thicker on a deering but the paige capo will fit on there, You will need to loosen it a lot. there is just more screwing when you want to capo up, I keep one up there on mine because I'm bad about forgetting to put the capo in the case but a kyser or dunlop is the easiest thing for a deering especially.

K.

quote:

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Originally posted by bigal37

Could anyone recommend a capo for my new Sierra? I would like one that would be able to "hang" on the nut.

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Gold Star GF-85 - Posted - 05/19/2010:  05:02:19

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The over spray is excatly what the problem was, I took a closer look with the help of a bright light and a strong lense and seen what it was so I cleaned the frets wires off and now were good to go.
Thanks PharmBoy for your help

vsiddhartha - Posted - 05/19/2010:  06:43:44

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quote:

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Originally posted by Gold Star GF-85

The over spray is excatly what the problem was, I took a closer look with the help of a bright light and a strong lense and seen what it was so I cleaned the frets wires off and now were good to go.
Thanks PharmBoy for your help

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Can you tell me what you used to clean them and how you did it to avoid damaging the finish on the fretboard? I'd like to remove the finish from my frets too.

3rd Cole bro - Posted - 05/19/2010:  08:37:54

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I took the tour at Deering yesterday, and one of the workers in the shop was cleaning up a neck board that had been sprayed with a dark finish which covered the inlays too. He was using a cleaning technique to remove the finish where it wasn't wanted.

I was interested in the amount of hand work going into the banjos (mostlly Goodtimes), and the measures to have a consistent build.

Definitely worth the time, and Carolina is a great tour guide.

jim

PharmBoy - Posted - 05/19/2010:  18:31:33

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quote:

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Originally posted by Gold Star GF-85

The over spray is excatly what the problem was, I took a closer look with the help of a bright light and a strong lense and seen what it was so I cleaned the frets wires off and now were good to go.
Thanks PharmBoy for your help

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Excellent! Glad to have helped.

Gomer - Posted - 05/20/2010:  07:53:57

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Originally posted by 3rd Cole bro

I took the tour at Deering . . .
Definitely worth the time, and Carolina is a great tour guide. jim

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You would think that the factory is a city block long, but it is pretty compact and low key. The one piece of equipment that I thought was really interesting was their hydraulic rim press. A kid glues up the pieces, puts them in place and then wham!. . . Those pieces ain't goin' nowhere for a generation or two. I was hoping they would give a free sample at the end of the tour but I got disappointed.

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Edited by - Gomer on 05/20/2010 07:55:36

TB-4 Guy - Posted - 05/20/2010:  08:24:55

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quote:

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Originally posted by Gomer

quote:

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Originally posted by 3rd Cole bro

I took the tour at Deering . . .
Definitely worth the time, and Carolina is a great tour guide. jim

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You would think that the factory is a city block long, but it is pretty compact and low key. The one piece of equipment that I thought was really interesting was their hydraulic rim press. A kid glues up the pieces, puts them in place and then wham!. . . Those pieces ain't goin' nowhere for a generation or two. I was hoping they would give a free sample at the end of the tour but I got disappointed.

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A tour of the Deering Factory was on the show "How it's Made" recently and they showed that rim press. It looks like they know what they are doing.

Gomer - Posted - 05/20/2010:  08:32:00

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Greetings Gaylord! I was down to get a refret on my mine. If you ever get to the south, its worth looking up Carolina Bridges, The Empressaria of All Things Deering. She knows every nook and cranny of that building and has given them all names. Also, don't start a discussion about sidearms with her on account of the fact that she knows more about ballistics than an NRA historian
I will look for the How it's made segment. I am probably in the background giving marginal advice.

TB-4 Guy - Posted - 05/20/2010:  08:46:12

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quote:

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Originally posted by Gomer

Greetings Gaylord! I was down to get a refret on my mine. If you ever get to the south, its worth looking up Carolina Bridges, The Empressaria of All Things Deering. She knows every nook and cranny of that building and has given them all names. Also, don't start a discussion about sidearms with her on account of the fact that she knows more about ballistics than an NRA historian
I will look for the How it's made segment. I am probably in the background giving marginal advice.

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Good suggestion, Mr. Gomer. Honestly, I've been quite impressed with what I have seen of the Deering operation and their banjos. The Deering Segment was only a few minutes as is typical of the show but it gave a good view of the factory showing the CNC carving of necks, welding of rims, cutting of rings and building of the rims. I'm sure it was Deering since they showed an employee at the end and he had on a deering T-shirt. I think you could find that show on the internet somewhere if you looked around. How about You Tube?

I would love to take that tour. It's nice to see good American manufacturing going on in this day and age!

EDIT: This isn't the segment that was on "How it's Made" but it is another one, showing the building of the Goodtime models. There are numerous videos on You Tube regarding Deering banjos. Enjoy!

youtube.com/watch?v=8QAqnLMkfq4

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Edited by - TB-4 Guy on 05/20/2010 08:52:45

Janet Deering - Posted - 05/20/2010:  09:04:41

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I just returned from Banjo Camp North, in Groton, Massachusets. Greg and I had a great time. Greg taught classes in folk style banjo, long neck banjo and did his famous Banjo Take Apart Class showing set-up and adjustments. I tended our display in the vendor hall and was able to listen in on banjo classes there as well.

Greg and I did our first performance as a duo, which was amazingly fun. Having been married for 36 years, and in business for 35 years, this put a new dimension in our relationship adding a musical level of working together.

We took Monday and went to see Pete Seeger at his home in Beacon, NY. He is now 92 years old. We had breakfast with Pete and Toshi. Pete played us a couple of songs and we had a great talk about all things banjo. He is in great shape and chops wood and takes care of chores every day. He was off to do a recording session in the afternoon. Still active! I hope I'm in that great of shape at 92!

Pete has just published a new book "Where Have All the Flowers Gone" A singalong Memoir , it's a Sing Out Publication and sells for $24.95. He gave us a copy and it is an amazing book with a CD in the back of it. What a precious gift.

I'll be back on tomorrow and address questions posed since I was gone. Cheers!

3rd Cole bro - Posted - 05/20/2010:  10:31:02

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quote:

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Originally posted by Gomer

Greetings Gaylord! I was down to get a refret on my mine. If you ever get to the south, its worth looking up Carolina Bridges, The Empressaria of All Things Deering. She knows every nook and cranny of that building and has given them all names. Also, don't start a discussion about sidearms with her on account of the fact that she knows more about ballistics than an NRA historian
I will look for the How it's made segment. I am probably in the background giving marginal advice.

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Ditto on Carolina, but we did talk guns since both of us are devotees. She has cool stories to go with the names too.

jim

gdoc - Posted - 05/20/2010:  10:43:16

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Originally posted by Gomer

quote:

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Originally posted by 3rd Cole bro

I took the tour at Deering . . .
Definitely worth the time, and Carolina is a great tour guide. jim

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You would think that the factory is a city block long, but it is pretty compact and low key. The one piece of equipment that I thought was really interesting was their hydraulic rim press. A kid glues up the pieces, puts them in place and then wham!. . . Those pieces ain't goin' nowhere for a generation or two. I was hoping they would give a free sample at the end of the tour but I got disappointed.

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A KID??? They have KIDs working in a factory? What about seasoned luthiers? What about child labor laws? oh my!

Gomer - Posted - 05/20/2010:  14:15:34

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Originally posted by gdoc

They have KIDs working in a factory? What about seasoned luthiers? What about child labor laws? oh my!

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Actually Mr. Gary, anybody under 30 is pretty much a kid to me.

Gomer - Posted - 05/20/2010:  14:23:29

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Originally posted by Janet Deering



We took Monday and went to see Pete Seeger at his home in Beacon, NY. He is now 92 years old. We had breakfast

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Well Ms. Janet, there are certain things in this life that I guess would be about as rarified as you can get! I am thinking that a meal with Pete Seeger has got to be one of them. other might pop in with examples like a baby's first cry, or a happy marriage, or world peace or being able to understand the human condition; but, breakfast with Pete Seeger would have to be right up there.

We you able to give him any playing pointers?

Janet Deering - Posted - 05/21/2010:  10:43:16

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I think the comment about a kid working in our factory dates the spokesperson more than the fellow gluing up the rims. I find myself calling people kids who are well into their thirties! Whoops! I guess that dates me too!

Yes, breakfast with Pete and Toshi was a wonderful and rare experience. I think we have much more to learn from Pete than we could ever teach him. He has experienced the changing of the world over the last ninety two years and has been a part of changing that world for the better by bringing people together in song.

Musicians have an amazing ability to break down barriers and communicate ideas to bring about understanding. Pete is certainly a master of the art.

TB-4 Guy - Posted - 05/21/2010:  18:37:42

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It's pretty hard not to like Pete Seeger. I've enjoyed his playing and singing for a long time now. He's a real institution!

Janet Deering - Posted - 05/22/2010:  08:36:33

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Josh, Thanks for posting the photo of the Goodtime neck to pot joint. I was surprised to see that photo because that is not how it should be. Both Greg and I were surprised that there was a photo like that and that it made it onto the website. The quality standard is that the end of the neck is next to the tension hoop without a gap.

I looked through the current production in our shop and each Goodtime banjo has a close fit. That photo being on the website was a fluke. I had David update that photo yesterday.

Your banjo is as it should be.

Janet Deering - Posted - 05/22/2010:  08:41:46

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Janet, I have a 05 Tenbrooks Legacy..would it be an upgrade to switch the rim out to the newer Violin Maple rims?


Yes, it would be an upgrade, but that is a matter of opinion on my part. The rim you have works fine but is stiffer than the newer rim and so the banjo would vibrate more fully with the new rim. But if you like the sound you have already, you don't need to change it.

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Edited by - Janet Deering on 05/24/2010 06:33:05

Janet Deering - Posted - 05/24/2010:  06:37:24

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it possible to buy a long neck for a Goodtime?

Not at this time. We haven't tried making one yet, but I'll see if I can get us to try it out and see how it does. It's one more thing in a long list of to-do's. I'll let you know.

Janet Deering - Posted - 05/24/2010:  06:49:09

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Can you tell me what you used to clean them and how you did it to avoid damaging the finish on the fretboard? I'd like to remove the finish from my frets too.

I asked Greg about this since this is the first time this question has arisen. He pointed out that all the Strat and Tele necks Fender made were sprayed just like we do the Goodtime necks. He said the best way to remove the finish from the top of frets when it starts to wear is to use your fingernail or a Popsicle stick and run it along the top fret and remove it. Just run it along the top of the fret and you won't affect the fingerboard finish at all.

Andy Campbell - Posted - 05/24/2010:  06:58:50

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quote:

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Originally posted by Janet Deering


it possible to buy a long neck for a Goodtime?

Not at this time. We haven't tried making one yet, but I'll see if I can get us to try it out and see how it does. It's one more thing in a long list of to-do's. I'll let you know.

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Many thanks for giving it a thought. I would love to turn one of my goodtimes into a long neck banjo.

Andy

Janet Deering - Posted - 05/24/2010:  07:00:48

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I ran across the video

youtube.com/watch?v=YNL4dg4y_Rg

What great fun some fellows in the Netherlands had making this video!

Janet Deering - Posted - 05/24/2010:  07:03:55

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I have a Goodtime Classic open back, and I'm considering one of the new Goodtime Specials. Is the finish on the neck of the blonde Goodtime as smooth to the touch as it is on the Classic model?

Yes, generally it is.

Weird Snake Joe - Posted - 05/24/2010:  10:32:26

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quote:

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Originally posted by Andy McC

quote:

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Originally posted by Janet Deering


it possible to buy a long neck for a Goodtime?

Not at this time. We haven't tried making one yet, but I'll see if I can get us to try it out and see how it does. It's one more thing in a long list of to-do's. I'll let you know.

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Many thanks for giving it a thought. I would love to turn one of my goodtimes into a long neck banjo.

Andy

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As would I. Thank you for addressing this!

Gomer - Posted - 05/26/2010:  19:05:06

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Good Morning Ms. Janet!
Do you folks have, or do you know of a dealer in SoCal who might have any model with a radius neck. I would like to play such a thing for a time and see if I can sound more like Jens and less like Tom.

Janet Deering - Posted - 05/27/2010:  07:51:18

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Tom, You can contact Buffalo Brothers, they might have one with a radius neck. Sorry I missed you when you toured the factory. I would have enjoyed meeting you!

I enjoy your helpful comments here on the hangout!

Gomer - Posted - 05/29/2010:  08:28:54

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Originally posted by Janet Deering

Tom, You can contact Buffalo Brothers, they might have one with a radius neck. Sorry I missed you when you toured the factory. I would have enjoyed meeting you!

I enjoy your helpful comments here on the hangout!

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It would have been my honor and I yet may be so privileged. I will call the folks at Buffalo. As t would happen, my instructor is one of your teaching pros. Sometimes I wear a Stelling tee-shirt just to raise his hackles. That was the same person who introduced me to a Calico, a bewitching combination of color and clarity with a personality like the girl next-door. Only the Swallowtail is as pretty. They are kind of like Jennifer Aniston and Sandra Bullock, respectively.

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Edited by - Gomer on 05/29/2010 08:51:33

dustinTN - Posted - 05/31/2010:  06:49:22

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Hi Janet,
I just bought a used Deering Intermediate. From the serial #, it looks like it was built in '88. I love it, and it is in excellent shape, too. The neck is so smooth, and I actually love the metal rim and the simplicity of the design. Excellent build quality! I feel like I own a tiny piece of Deering history with this banjo model in particular. I love the idea that went into this banjo - a unique design to provide a quality instrument at an affordable price. It's nice to see you continued that tradition with the Goodtime series when you could have just resigned yourselves to making excellent professional instruments and forgotten about beginners and novice players. I have a lot of respect for what you and Greg do.

I was wondering approximately what year you stopped making the Basic/Intermediate line and combined them in the Boston? What were your first wood rim banjos at that time? Was it just the Sierra and the Deluxe to begin with?

Mango - Posted - 06/01/2010:  23:36:57

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Janet, why did you start leaving the Tone ring on the Golden Wreath unplated and what effect did it have on the tone of this Banjo model?

Janet Deering - Posted - 06/03/2010:  09:35:01

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We found that with the Tenbrooks tone rings the sound was slightly muffled when these were plated so we produce them polished and un-plated.

This was so successful that about that same time we decided to polish the Golden Wreath tone rings and not plate them as well.

The Golden Wreath is un-plated to offer an additional resonance to the tone ring and enhance the vibrations of this ring to create another voice in our Golden Era Series of banjos.

Unlike many of the other makers, we offer a wide variety of beautiful banjo voices in our line, so that you can find the voice that speaks to you.

Old Man - Posted - 06/03/2010:  12:17:47

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Janet ,I have a 05 Golden Era made late 05 according to the serial number .Is it possible that it has one of the new rings, this banjo is a hoss.I had a older one and it did not sound like this one . I have it for sale but the more I pick it the more I like.

Janet Deering - Posted - 06/07/2010:  14:31:18

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Yes, if the serial number is in December of 2005, it could be one of the very first '06 tone rings we made.

Old Man - Posted - 06/07/2010:  16:45:18

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Thanks Janet,I know one thing this banjo is a good one I am serously thinking about keeping it.I have never picked one with 06 ring and something is quiet different with this banjo according to what I hear I believe this one has the 06 ring,and again thanks

Janet Deering - Posted - 06/08/2010:  14:41:59

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I was wondering approximately what year you stopped making the Basic/Intermediate line and combined them in the Boston? What were your first wood rim banjos at that time? Was it just the Sierra and the Deluxe to begin with?


We started making the Boston in 1994. In the beginning it was just the Basic, Intermediate and dulcimers in 1978 , until November of 1979 when we added the Deluxe, Maple Blossom, and Calico.

We added the GDL in June of 1981 and the Ivanhoe in January of 1983.

The Golden Era banjos and the Long Neck Black Diamond were born in August of 1985.

The John Hartford was started in August of 1986.

The Crossfire was introduced in June of 1987 along with the Texas banjo and the
D-12, 12-string banjo and the 6-string banjos the B-6, D-6 and MB-6.

Just about every year we have added something new.

Janet Deering - Posted - 06/08/2010:  14:49:51

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Oh yes, and the Sierra came out in 1990 as the Standard and we changed the name to the Sierra in 1994.

The Goodtime banjos were started in 1996 and we added them to our price list in 1998. Originally we only sold them to the top dealers. The Goodtime 2 came out in 1999.