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dpete210 - Posted - 06/09/2010: 07:17:38
Deaf David, you can tell when a Deering banjo was made by the serial number. I'll use one of mine (a Deluxe) as an example: 0322981 - the first two digits are the month: 03 (March), then the last two digits are the year: 81 (1981). The 229 that falls between tells it is the 229th banjo made, but I am not sure if that is the 229th of that particular model or if it is the 229th banjo made at that point in time. Mrs. Deering will undoubtedly clear that one up. 
At some point more digits were added to the serial numbers. For example, my 1988 Maple Blossom number is 1168388 • 0417, so that tells me that the banjo was made in November of 1988 and I believe, it was the 683rd banjo made at that point in time. I don't know what the significance of the last four digits is.
Janet Deering - Posted - 06/09/2010: 07:25:18
The 229 means that it is the 229th Deluxe banjo. The number indicates how many of that model we had made at that point.
The peghead number is the only straight sequentially numbered record we have and we use this number internally to find the neck in our log books to know what day we made that neck. It is more for internal tracking in the shop, and serves as a quick number reference to dealers on which banjo they got because they don't have to take the resonator off to have a number for the banjo.
dpete210 - Posted - 06/09/2010: 07:37:54
quote:
I don't know what the significance of the last four digits is.
Mrs. Deering's response:
quote:
The peghead number is the only straight sequentially numbered record we have and we use this number internally to find the neck in our log books to know what day we made that neck.
Thank you for clearing that up, Mrs. Deering. Your reply brings another of those
duh moments. You know, one of those moments where we pop ourselves on the head for not realizing something so obvious
Gomer - Posted - 06/09/2010: 08:18:50
Is it true then, what they say about the Deering's with the Omega sign in the serial number. I have heard it said that every once in the while that a particular banjo sounds so good that the production thereof is summarily and forever discontinued and that the serial number is gilded with the Omega sign to signify the event. I have not seen these for my own account, but the rumor is out there amongst the pros and other illuminati.
Edited by - Gomer on 06/15/2010 07:09:10
Grey Dog - Posted - 06/09/2010: 10:57:31
I've found Deerings with #1000 to be irreplaceably awesome.
(Now I just have "The Shining" stuck in my head with Room 237.....<screams>)
Deaf David - Posted - 06/10/2010: 13:13:47
Thanks.
Janet Deering - Posted - 06/11/2010: 11:14:17
I will be on the road leaving this weekend for the CBA Father's Day Bluegrass Festival in Grass Valley, CA.
Greg and I will be there and Greg will be doing Free Banjo Set-ups for Deering owners.
He will also be doing Banjo Workshops at the lunch hour a 1pm on Friday and Saturday afternoons under the awning at our display area.
His Saturday workshop will be the Deering Banjo Take Apart workshop where he demonstrates each banjo adjustment and how it affects the tone of the banjo. Then he tightens the head until it breaks to show you just how tight you can make the head and what it does to the sound. After the head breaks he takes the entire banjo apart, passes around the parts and then puts it back together again before your very eyes. He answers questions and tells stories while he works. It's a lot of fun. Bring your lawn chair to the Deering Display with a cool drink, it takes about 2 hours.
We will have a great display of banjos with the new Eagle banjo, as well as the new upgraded Sierra, Deluxe and Boston banjos and our new Acoustic/Electric B-6.
It's always a great festival!
I hope to see you there.
slider1 - Posted - 06/11/2010: 12:01:45
do you guys ever make it to the midwest?
Deaf David - Posted - 06/11/2010: 17:17:14
Cool. My Deluxe was built in August of 06. But could it really be the 2952nd Deluxe built that year?
Janet, you are over working those elves.
gdoc - Posted - 06/12/2010: 00:07:51
quote:
Originally posted by Deaf David
Cool. My Deluxe was built in August of 06. But could it really be the 2952nd Deluxe built that year?
Janet, you are over working those elves.
Didn't you see Gomer's eariler post? They have Kids working at their factory... Little Kids....tiny little kids..... not elves.....probably pay them with Jello and pop tarts. Kids!!! Can you imangine that??? Go ask Gomer! He saw em. Kids!
Deaf David - Posted - 06/12/2010: 05:54:43
Naw, it had to have been magical elves, sprinkling silver pixey dust on each instrument to give it that special sparkle.
But, dang, that is a LOT of banjos to make by August, and just of one model.
DeanT - Posted - 06/12/2010: 07:48:33
Ornery little demons make the bluegrass wonder
I am positive that magical elves made my Goodtime, and put extra magic in it!
dpete210 - Posted - 06/12/2010: 08:16:02
Deaf David, if I understood Mrs. Deering correctly, your banjo is the 2952nd Deluxe built from the time they began making the Deluxe model up to that point in time when yours was made, not just during that particular year. That still leaves quite a bit of ground between your Deluxe and mine (#229). Either way, they have been busy at the Deering banjo factory!
Deaf David - Posted - 06/12/2010: 18:03:21
DPete, thanks for the clarification, but you are right, that's still a lot of Deluxes floating around making people happy. I guess the number on mine puts to rest the above stated theory about #1000.
Dean, you are SO right about the demons in the BG Wonder! Demons with a siren's appeal. I finally made the switch and have never looked back. The Deluxe sounds the same every time I pick it up; that BG Wonder never sounded the same way twice. Sometimes it was unbelievably alive, but other times, well...
I'm glad you are liking your Goodtime. Though I suspect that after you've owned it this long it doesn't look like a Goodtime anymore. Stratocaster neck, metal National body, tremelo bar, on board Marshall amp, and Gibson autotuners. (Never let a bored jet mechanic tinker with your instrument!)
DeanT - Posted - 06/12/2010: 18:53:21
Hey my old Bluegrass wonder made a soldier very happy, but it took a year to get it stable Believe it or not.... my Goodtime is all back to original! Thanks to Janet and Carolina and Deering offering parts support! Thanks again, especially to Carolina for putting up with me
Deaf David - Posted - 06/12/2010: 19:10:23
Frankenjo no more.
Forrest - Posted - 06/13/2010: 06:01:01
Hey Janet,
It looks like the Deering Banjos web site is having a problem serving up pages. When I attempt to go look at the various banjo models, I get a server error page.
Beardog - Posted - 06/13/2010: 15:21:45
quote:
Originally posted by Forrest
Hey Janet,
It looks like the Deering Banjos web site is having a problem serving up pages. When I attempt to go look at the various banjo models, I get a server error page.
Me too.
bilge rat - Posted - 06/17/2010: 07:13:53
Thank you, Mrs. Deering for have Caroline (hope I spelled that right) working for your customer service. She helped me (once again) with a Deering tuner part that I needed and shipped it to me quickly. She was very professional, polite and went "above and beyond" her call of duty to help me. I appriciate it.
thanks,
ron
Janet Deering - Posted - 06/24/2010: 08:46:03
Thanks, Mean Mary plays great! I'm so glad you suggested I check out her video. Wow! She really plays the Goodtime banjo well and brings out the beautiful tone of it. I had chills just listening to her play!
Thanks,
Janet
peter somerville - Posted - 06/24/2010: 22:58:57
Hi janet, you may recall i bought a arch top maple blossom a while ago. i'm still enjoying the somewhat out fashion archtop sound. just put an 'archie' bart veerman bridge on it- wow! it sparkles even more. sounding more like Ralph's i think.
Janet Deering - Posted - 06/25/2010: 08:39:14
Peter, That is great. Thanks for Posting. I'm glad to hear you are enjoying it!
Janet Deering - Posted - 06/25/2010: 08:56:46
Janet, is the information about the Terry Baucom signature banjo. on your website correct ? it says the tone ring is 7oz lighter then the standard ring, however your husband said on Banjo talk radio that the ring is only 3 oz lighter. Which one is it? .....alot of people ask me about the Banjo when Im playing it and I just want to be accurate..Thanks
You are very observant.
To get the great sound you are hearing in the banjos we are making we have gone through a process of balancing the weight of the tone ring with the weight of the new rim to get the tone we are so pleased to be producing today.
It has been a process of evolution, changing one thing at a time. We came out with the Terry Baucom banjos in the end of 2008, at the same time we were changing from the hard rock maple rims to our new violin grade maple rims that we are now making in house. At that time we made the Terry Baucom tone ring lighter than the standard Deering tonerings by 7 oz.
Once we were ready for the next phase in Dec. 2009 we shaved off a few ounces from the inside of the -06 tone rings because we no longer needed the heavier tone ring to move the hard rock maple rim. The violin grade maple rim vibrates much more easily and so a lighter weight tone ring would give us an even more responsive banjo. So six months ago, around Dec 15th we changed the specs on all -06 tone rings to a lighter weight design.
You are right for what we originally were producing, and Greg is giving you more up to date info. The -06 tone rings we are producing now are just slightly heavier than the Terry Baucom at this time. I don't recall if we changed this detail in the new 96 page catalog that we just printed a week ago ....
We will have the new catalog up on line shortly.
Khashyar - Posted - 06/25/2010: 21:00:59
Hi Janet,
I have enjoyed my Deering Vega banjo for about 4 years now.
I was looking at my frets, and I noticed that there are dents or grooves on the frets directly under each string.
However, when I look at my guitar (I have a 2 1/2 year old Martin D-42), as well as a 40 year old Gibson Hummingbird Guitar copy, there is not the same denting and wearing on the frets.
My understanding is that the Guitar frets are made from steel, but that the banjo fret may be made of a softer material (nickel-silver?)
My question is why are banjo frets made from a softer material than guitar frets?
I started this topic in the "Banjo Building, Setup and Repair" forum section ( banjohangout.org/forum/forum.a...RUM_ID=12 ), where several forum members are discussing the topic.
Thank you for speaking with your luthiers and asking them why banjo frets seem to be made from a softer (and less durable) material than guitar frets?
Thank you for your feedback about this.
Gomer - Posted - 06/26/2010: 08:54:57
quote:
Originally posted by Khashyar
I was looking at my frets, and I noticed that there are dents or grooves on the frets directly under each string.
My understanding is that the Guitar frets are made from steel, but that the banjo fret may be made of a softer material (nickel-silver?)
My question is why are banjo frets made from a softer material than guitar frets?
A certain amount of fretwear is acceptable as long as you don't get a buzz (we're not talking about liquor since worn frets will not prevent a buzz from that source). More, rather than less, guitars and other acoustical instruments are made from an 18% nickle compound. Older electrics are the same. Eventually the frets will wear down and need to be replaced. Sometimes you can get away with doing the first five ( bluegrass refret). I went through the frets on my Hartford in less than a year, Now, after 2 1/2, they are starting to show some wear. Mr 1four5 on this forum is also called the Sensei of Stainless. He has installed Stainless Steel frets on his weapon. I have bought the SS fretwire but have not yet mustered the courage to have it installed.
Khashyar - Posted - 06/26/2010: 16:19:44
quote:
Originally posted by Gomer
quote:
Originally posted by Khashyar
I was looking at my frets, and I noticed that there are dents or grooves on the frets directly under each string.
My understanding is that the Guitar frets are made from steel, but that the banjo fret may be made of a softer material (nickel-silver?)
My question is why are banjo frets made from a softer material than guitar frets?
A certain amount of fretwear is acceptable as long as you don't get a buzz (we're not talking about liquor since worn frets will not prevent a buzz from that source). More, rather than less, guitars and other acoustical instruments are made from an 18% nickle compound. Older electrics are the same. Eventually the frets will wear down and need to be replaced. Sometimes you can get away with doing the first five ( bluegrass refret). I went through the frets on my Hartford in less than a year, Now, after 2 1/2, they are starting to show some wear. Mr 1four5 on this forum is also called the Sensei of Stainless. He has installed Stainless Steel frets on his weapon. I have bought the SS fretwire but have not yet mustered the courage to have it installed.
Thanks, Gomer...
Yes, I'm beginning to understand that fret wearing seems normal with the 18% nickel compound frets.
However, I have a 40 year old Gibson Hummingbird copy guitar, and I have never had to replace those frets.
So, I am wondering why not use steel frets on banjos?
Yes, 1four5 was sharing his experience about steel frets in the threat that was opened for the fret topic in the banjo repair forum:
banjohangout.org/forum/topic.a...ID=181377
Gomer - Posted - 06/29/2010: 08:36:38
So, how about that Calico with a radiused neck and a Swiss tone ring. I would love to wear out the frets on that one!
Janet Deering - Posted - 06/29/2010: 09:34:25
We have made a few banjos with stainless steel frets. They are stiffer and as a result are more not as easy to work with, so it takes more time to install them properly.
The fret wire we have been using for the past 35 years is the exact same fretwire that Martin Guitar uses. It has worked well and reliably.
If fret wear is a problem for you, you might examine how hard you are pressing on your strings, a banjo has fairly light strings compared to a guitar.
If you are used to gripping hard because of the heavier weight of guitar strings you can lighten your grip on your banjo, play faster and easier and reduce the wear on your frets.
We can install stainless steel frets if ordered as an additional custom option.
Janet Deering - Posted - 06/29/2010: 09:36:01
Gomer, Just place the order and we'll make it for you!
It would be my pleasure.
gdoc - Posted - 06/29/2010: 23:17:50
Hi Janet,
I was actually looking forward to seeing you and Greg at the Grass Valley Festival, and also pehaps meeting Gomer and others as well. But every time I went by you booth, it was full of people. (Well actually, I did see you both, but only from a distance). But without having something really important to say, I just passed on.
I missed the "busting of the banjo head" by minutes.. I really wanted to see that as I wanted to hear the tone changes . I know if I had pressed the issue I could have talked with both of you. Not talking with you was my choice, you and Greg were available.
My point here is that you make yourselves avaiable to the public at festivals as well as here on the banjo hanogout. A lot said about being in touch with your public. Gibson?.... nada....
Thanks for being part of the "real" banjo world. One of the reasons I bought my Deering Deluxe. (Not to mention it sounds great, has a great neck, and is easy on the eyes.).
DIV - Posted - 07/01/2010: 10:32:08
quote:
Originally posted by Gomer
So, how about that Calico with a radiused neck and a Swiss tone ring. I would love to wear out the frets on that one!
Another Calico with a Swiss tone ring?? Gomer--where did you hear of that? Who has it?
Gomer - Posted - 07/02/2010: 08:05:21
quote:
Originally posted by DIV
[quote]
Another Calico with a Swiss tone ring?? Gomer--where did you hear of that? Who has it?
Dan, It was only a pipe dream. My instructor had a Calico on approval from Deering. I picked, I played, I laughed, I cried, It became a part of me.
Imagine yourself at a 5-star bar; black bow tie, sipping on a gin martini; just a whisper of vermouth. There is a band playing in the shadows. You catch the eye of a sultry South American girl, too striking to look at directly but too beautiful to look away. As you walk over you grab a rose from the vase of a table where two lovers are talking and offer it to the Latin lovely. She follows you to the dance floor. You feel her warm hand and the silk on the small of her back.
There is nothing quite like that, save for the look and feel of a Calico IMO. I would think that if you put in a Swiss tone ring, you good have the whole package. Happy Fourth.
PS Cowardice in matters of banjo and dancing with beautiful women is no virtue
Edited by - Gomer on 07/02/2010 08:39:53
Grey Dog - Posted - 07/02/2010: 08:14:58
Gomer, I'd hire you in my advertising department before Earl could pick two notes.
Janet Deering - Posted - 07/02/2010: 08:52:55
I agree, you want a job?
Janet Deering - Posted - 07/02/2010: 09:06:15
Dear enthusiastic Deering fans:
Please help me celebrate these great instruments and this great company here: banjohangout.org/topic/181744/#2300064
Dan, Thank you.
Greg is at Catalina Island this week being a Scout Master with 20 of his Scouts at the Cherry Valley Scout Camp.
I'll forward a link to that topic to him so he can see it when he returns. I know it will mean a lot to him. He is always re-energized when he knows people appreciate what he works so hard to create and are enjoying their banjos.
It means a lot to both us us and all the Deering team. We all enjoy being a part of this wonderful community of musicians.
Gdoc, Next time, say Hi at Grass Valley. I would have enjoyed shaking your hand!
Gomer - Posted - 07/03/2010: 07:00:22
quote:
Originally posted by Janet Deering
I agree, you want a job?
I thank you for your gracious comment and am humbled by Mr Graydog's post, but did you stop to think about the judgment quality of a man that goes around comparing banjos to beautiful women?
gdoc - Posted - 07/03/2010: 22:48:25
quote:
Originally posted by Gomer
quote:
Originally posted by Janet Deering
I agree, you want a job?
I thank you for your gracious comment and am humbled by Mr Graydog's post, but did you stop to think about the judgment quality of a man that goes around comparing banjos to beautiful women?
Beautiful women, beautiful instruments.....
Sounds to me like you have your proprieties in line.
Gomer - Posted - 07/06/2010: 07:16:22
Gary, you make a powerful point. If only she were holding a Calico, I would pursue her with no less focus than the Don of La Mancha, himself.
Janet Deering - Posted - 07/06/2010: 13:41:49
Get that lady a Calico banjo! I want to see what Gomer does next!
Janet Deering - Posted - 07/07/2010: 06:44:26
I need to add to my comments in response to this thought...
Janet, I have a 05 Tenbrooks Legacy..would it be an upgrade to switch the rim out to the newer Violin Maple rims?
We just changed the rim on Andy Rau's Saratoga Star from the hard rock maple to the violin grade maple and the sound improvement was astounding. What is funny is that it sounded great before. It surprised us all. It is a bigger change in the tone, and even better than I had anticipated. It was like magic. Andy couldn't stop playing it.
Gomer - Posted - 07/07/2010: 17:41:45
As it would happen, Andy Rau is my banjo instructor and I know that Tenbrooks like a long time neighbor. That particular Saratoga is a pick-of-the-litter instrument. I am surprised that Andy let you mess around with it. I have only played it at gunpoint. When he gets back from vacation, I am going to seriously prank him on the issue of why the sound is NO different. Thanks for the info.
Edited by - Gomer on 07/19/2010 22:10:21
grich - Posted - 07/07/2010: 20:46:41
Johnny Butten just sent me this nice video of his student playing her Goodtime banjo after 3 months of lessons ..... I think she and the banjo sound really great so I thought I'd share it with all of you Deering fans.
youtube.com/watch?v=nTox-lxWzFU
RatLer - Posted - 07/08/2010: 04:48:30
Johnny Butten just sent me this nice video of his student playing her Goodtime banjo after 3 months of lessons ..... I think she and the banjo sound really great so I thought I'd share it with all of you Deering fans.
WOW.....
Gomer - Posted - 07/08/2010: 07:12:03
Perhaps I have been too harsh on this apparent connection between beautiful women and banjos. I have to admit that her three months of playing trumps my three years attempting the feat. On the other hand I have a Deering wrist rest engraved with my name; Very Cool by anyone's standards.
I always say: if you can't compete, you may as well look good on the train leaving town.
Janet Deering - Posted - 07/08/2010: 07:57:38
Thanks. It's a dream come true to see so many people learning to play well, and after only 3 months of lessons - Wow!
That was the idea behind the creation of the Goodtime banjo - to provide a banjo that makes learning easier because it plays right.
gdoc - Posted - 07/08/2010: 08:20:32
quote:
Originally posted by grich
Johnny Butten just sent me this nice video of his student playing her Goodtime banjo after 3 months of lessons ..... I think she and the banjo sound really great so I thought I'd share it with all of you Deering fans.
Are you sure you didn't mean 3
years?I agree with above statement by RatLer: WOW!
Very beautiful woman! Beautiful music.... Alas, poor Gomer, no Calico... you shall still remain single.
Edited by - gdoc on 07/08/2010 08:21:45
Gomer - Posted - 07/08/2010: 18:47:49
Doña Janet,
Since you made mention of my good friend Andy, His weapon of choice is usually His GDL. I understand that this handsome machine is your top of the line offering in walnut. While many know about the Tenbrooks, Calico, and the Roquefort, little is celebrated in the way of the GDL, Whaazup with that, if you don't mind saying.
Edited by - Gomer on 07/08/2010 18:48:32
DIV - Posted - 07/10/2010: 09:13:04
I myself have recently become very interested in the GDL model. Just gorgeous with understated elegance! I'm not a fan of Gold and engraving (ie. Ivanhoe), but I like the splash of color that comes from the Abalone accents.
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