DIV - Posted - 07/11/2010:  09:06:56

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JANET--
I've been thinking and playing with tone rings and rims for years, but you made me think of them in a new way. You mentioned that the purpose of the tone ring is to add mass to the rim (or the vibrating core of the banjo). And now I think of the tone ring and rim as 2 equally important 1/2 of the tone engine. The tone ring both 1) acts like a bridge between the head and the rim and 2) enhances the resonating of the rim.

I'm impressed the way you guys at Deering really pay attention to how different components within the system...For example, I appreciate how you recently modified the weight of the 06 tone ring to couple with the new violin maple rims. So did you modify the Ruetschi ring since you've been installing them on the new rims of the Tenbrooks line??

DIV - Posted - 07/13/2010:  08:42:53

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Janet--Another question...:
What year did you start doing all the necks with the CNC equipment? This made it easier to keep the famous Deering neck profile specs consistent...

Janet Deering - Posted - 07/13/2010:  09:34:38

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We started doing all the necks with CNC after we moved into our new building in 2001, it took us several years of programming and tooling up to move from the hand shaping to CNC carving of necks during 2002 - 2004. We got one shape done at a time, starting with the Deering shape, then the Golden Era, then the Vega neck shapes and then the Tenbrooks.

After all the models were on CNC, we then went back and tweeked the shapes to perfect each model during 2005-2008. We made the Tenbrooks necks more slender, made the neck thicknesses more level with the fingerboard up the neck, revised the position of the thumbstops so that the Paige capos would fit properly past the nut, and refined each aspect of our neck production.

We did not modify the Tenbrooks tone ring when we changed to our violin grade maple rims. There was no need to change the Swiss Tenbrooks tone ring. The rim change fully expands the tone producing capacity of the Swiss Reutchi tone ring. The original Tenbrooks sound is so great, it has been hard to imagine that they could be improved upon. But, now that we have made the change for Andy, we realize that even the Tenbrooks banjos are improved with the new rims.

I have been amazed at how we have been able to take the wonderful banjos we have made and continuously improve them over the years. It doesn't mean that the first ones were not great. They were among the best being made at the time.

We keep raising the bar.

lazyarcher - Posted - 07/13/2010:  09:45:14

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Raising the bar is right.

I was at Elderly Instruments a while back and spent an afternoon playing everything...from Gibsons to Stellings to Hubers and everything in between.
The Deerings there were IMHO the best sounding banjos...and were all consistant in sound.

bigal37 - Posted - 07/13/2010:  14:03:54

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When will Deering be sending out the new banjo gold cards?

gdoc - Posted - 07/14/2010:  00:04:19

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I looked at the stock market just a bit ago, and did not find you listed... no surprise there.

Have you ever thought about offering stock in your company?

Looking to retire a little more comfortable.

Janet Deering - Posted - 07/14/2010:  07:38:11

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The gold cards went out a a few days ago, mailed on the last day of June. The next mailing will be in December for new warranties that arrive.

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Edited by - Janet Deering on 07/14/2010 07:38:38

Ron Ortegel - Posted - 07/14/2010:  07:46:32

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I want to add my appreciation for Deering banjos and the people associated. I recently bought an old used Goodtime and because it had some issues, contacted Customer Service. I received excellent treatment, advice, and great information.
The person answered all my questions patiently and was extremely helpful and honest with me about this banjo.
This, to me, is the sign of a first class company.
Thank you Deering Banjo Company.

Janet Deering - Posted - 07/14/2010:  08:03:14

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Have you ever thought about offering stock in your company?

Looking to retire a little more comfortable.

gdoc, we have had encouragement many times in this direction and also from individuals who want to make large investments over the years. It would be like selling our soul.

You see, a lot of what we do is for the advancement of the music, for the improvement of the tone, and the playability of the banjo. Our decisions are not based on the bottom line as much as on the craft in making the finest banjos ever made. This won't pass muster in a public owned company or with an investor unless it feeds the bottom line.

As long as Greg and I can live a decent life, continue to support Boy Scouts with the large commitment of time we give it, offer a decent living to those who work with us so that everyone at Deering Banjos succeeds, and pay our bills with something left over, we are happy.

If we were to become beholden to someone else who measures our performance by the bottom line we would become puppets to that goal and that isn't our motivation.

For Greg and myself, it's all about making the magic of the music through crafting Deering banjos and we are enjoying the adventure of advancing the sound quality of the banjo so that it finds it's place in the music of our time.

As for retirement - that does not compute for us. Greg and I are doing what we love, while our daughter, Jamie, may some day take the reins, our next phase will be traveling the world for concerts, banjo workshops, and music shows and taking the magic of the banjo to foreign lands. It is a life's work that brings us great satisfaction.

bigal37 - Posted - 07/14/2010:  09:08:08

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I received a nice little book from you guys the other day... but not my owners card. Should it have been with the book or was the card sent separately?

Janet Deering - Posted - 07/14/2010:  11:18:52

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The card was sent separately with a letter, that should be coming any day now.

We mailed this way to save on postage costs. I had hoped they would both arrive on the same day. It will be there soon.

Viktor Velthuijs - Posted - 07/15/2010:  08:14:45

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I hope you and Deering will never change Janet!

(and I'm sorry for my indecisiveness, forgive me!)

Janet Deering - Posted - 07/15/2010:  08:25:22

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Thank you, Viktor.

Janet Deering - Posted - 07/15/2010:  11:46:06

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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.

Good point! We have not really advertised the GDL even though since we began that model in 1982 we have made about 308 of them. I looked up who endorses the GDL model and created the first list ever of artists who have performed with the Deering GDL banjo over the years ......so here it is:

GDL Endorsing Artists:

Roy Clark
Jimmy Henley
Van Gilbert
Larry McNeely – “Power Play” album
Dan Mazer
Cheryl & James Bragg – The Bragg Family
Greg Harris
Skip Ewing
Billy Lee Cox – Remington Ryde
Nick Apollo Forte – Tenor GDL playing on the Royal Carribean Cruise Lines
Mark Pearson – Tenor GDL – The Brothers Four
Timmy Abel
Andy Rau
Bryan McMurry – Acoustic Syndicate
The Late Steve Lillard – Route One Bluegrass TV Show

Deaf David - Posted - 07/15/2010:  16:56:54

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* You support Boy Scouts.
* You don't sell stock so you can stay devoted to quality rather than profit.

I am now officially a fully committed Deering fan.

I got my Eagle Scout long enough ago that Nixon signed my card. At that point in my life Scouting and the true backcountry/wilderness experiences were the only anchor I had.

I've also seen the stock market necessitated "growth at all costs" corrupt so much that I consider your choice to be most noble. You have my utmost respect. And that doesn't even get to the fact that your banjos are the best being produced today.

Question: My first banjo was a Bluegrass Wonder. I traded it in for a used Deluxe. I realize the Deering ID card is mostly about the warranty, which does not apply to an instrument purchased second hand. But, is there any way to have my Deluxe registered in my name so that if it were ever stolen (no way I'm losing this thing!) I would have some way of proving it was mine? Or is that just too much paper work and verification headaches on your end? I would rather see your company focus on continual improvement, but if there is a way...

Viktor Velthuijs - Posted - 07/15/2010:  18:07:27

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Dear Janet, you're welcome! I do have a question though, concerning the banjo Deering is working on for me.

It's an interesting question in general I suppose! Since the pot is already quite shallow from what I have understood (standard Deering depth, not the deeper Tenbrooks depth), is the Tenbrooks tone ring still the best choice (or would, in this case, a -06- ring work better)? How will it affect the Tenbrooks tone ring, as it already has slightly less sustain than the -06- from what I understand. Or did I misunderstood all together and pot depth is infact Tenbrooks-deep? I am very curious!

Warm regards,

Viktor

pick1936 - Posted - 07/15/2010:  20:13:41

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janet, I have an old banjo newsletter Mag.,, Showing You and Greg shaping necks, I guess at that time Stelling was just the book Keeper, Because He said Himself Greg Deering was His banjo builder, at that time, You guys have come a long way, and I hope You keep going..



Nechville. In Higginsville.

Janet Deering - Posted - 07/16/2010:  11:56:32

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Thank you. We do intend to keep going for many years ahead and make Deering Banjo Making a family tradition that will continue on well into future generations of the Deering family.

Janet Deering - Posted - 07/16/2010:  11:58:16

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Since the pot is already quite shallow from what I have understood (standard Deering depth, not the deeper Tenbrooks depth), is the Tenbrooks tone ring still the best choice (or would, in this case, a -06- ring work better)? How will it affect the Tenbrooks tone ring, as it already has slightly less sustain than the -06- from what I understand. Or did I misunderstood all together and pot depth is infact Tenbrooks-deep

The pot of the Tenbrooks is the same depth as the Deering. It is the resonator that is deeper on the Tenbrooks than the Deering.

Viktor Velthuijs - Posted - 07/16/2010:  12:38:32

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Janet, I'm sorry. I meant the resonator!

DIV - Posted - 07/16/2010:  22:40:55

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Janet-
What about the now famous Deering 5th string "nut" which is actually a spike right behind the fret. Why does Deering do it like that? It's been that way for as long as I can remember. The only disadvantage is that the 5th string is lower and closer to the fret board that all the other strings.

Any story behind that?

Gomer - Posted - 07/17/2010:  08:57:01

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quote:

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Originally posted by Janet Deering
I looked up who endorses the GDL model and created the first list ever of artists who have performed with the Deering GDL banjo over the years ......so here it is:

GDL Endorsing Artists:

Roy Clark
Jimmy Henley
Van Gilbert
Larry McNeely – “Power Play” album
Dan Mazer
Cheryl & James Bragg – The Bragg Family
Greg Harris
Skip Ewing
Billy Lee Cox – Remington Ryde
Nick Apollo Forte – Tenor GDL playing on the Royal Carribean Cruise Lines
Mark Pearson – Tenor GDL – The Brothers Four
Timmy Abel
Andy Rau
Bryan McMurry – Acoustic Syndicate
The Late Steve Lillard – Route One Bluegrass TV Show

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It was probably only an over sight that my name was not included in your rarefied list, for as my lovely Mrs. will surely tell you, I am a legend in my own mind.

Regarding the swap-out of rim on Andy Rau's Tenbrooks, the first thing he will do when he gets back from vacation , will be to place the sacred Tenbrooks in my arms to play and to drink of its lovely new sound. His eyes will be bright and there will be an excited tension in his voice. He will try to cover his enthusiam, but he is not very good at that. You have no idea how much I will enjoy telling him that I can't hear a bit of difference.

Ralph Stanley legend - Posted - 07/18/2010:  10:32:31

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Dear all,
If I may, I recently saw a video of a lad playing a new Maple Sierra. I have to say to my ears it sounds absolutely fantastic. Just my view, and after hearing it.. let me check my bank account... !

Great work, Deering.

DIV - Posted - 07/19/2010:  09:31:10

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I was reading one of the latest catalogues (by the way, the current Deering Catalogue is SUPER!) there was a write up on the decreasing abundance of Mahogany. the article said that Mahogany may very well be the next scarse wood. I think because of this, you're going to see more and more of the lower models made with Maple.

DIV - Posted - 07/19/2010:  09:34:22

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quote:

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Originally posted by Gomer

...GDL. I understand that this handsome machine is your top of the line offering in walnut.

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Hi Gomer...actually, now that the Gabriella is now "standard" with English Walnut, and then there's the Ivanohoe. So if you don't count the Texas Banjo, the GDL is 3rd down from the top in walnut. But it's the top of the line Walnut that's nickel plated...

Janet Deering - Posted - 07/20/2010:  07:13:46

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Viktor, If you want a deeper and throatier resonant sound ask for the deeper Tenbrooks resonator, if you want a more bright and crisp sound ask for the Deering resonator.
If you play really fast bluegrass style and want the note to end quickly so that you can play the next note in a fast song with clarity you want the Tenbrooks Jens Kruger tonering, if you like to play some songs slower and want more sustain to the note than you would want the -06 tone ring.
For fast picking the deeper resonator with the Tenbrooks Jens Kruger tone ring is the ultimate.
It's a balance between the pot design and the resonator depth that you are talking about. The nice thing is you can try different resonators on a banjo and find out what you like. The resonator can be changed fairly easily.

Janet Deering - Posted - 07/20/2010:  07:21:52

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Janet-
What about the now famous Deering 5th string "nut" which is actually a spike right behind the fret. Why does Deering do it like that? It's been that way for as long as I can remember. The only disadvantage is that the 5th string is lower and closer to the fret board that all the other strings.

Any story behind that?


We install fifth string nuts on Golden Era banjos. It sets the string length slightly longer than it acutally should be. The placement of the string against the fret by using a fifth string spike is more accurate.
We install fifth string nuts on any model on special request for clawhammer players who special order it. Most players have found the way we do this just fine.

Gomer - Posted - 07/20/2010:  07:53:21

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quote:

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Originally posted by DIV

[quote]So if you don't count the Texas Banjo, the GDL is 3rd down from the top in walnut. But it's the top of the line Walnut that's nickel plated...

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Gold, on a banjo, has always been a wonderment to me. I like gold in watches, rings and tooth fillings, but somehow I have not had the couth to make the leap in matters of banjo.
In my mind, it is kind of like having a hunting dog. A lot of people don't know that standard size poodles are great waterdogs and, properly trained, will out hunt many other breeds. However, if you were to bring one into a duckblind, you would just have too much to explain to your freinds and would probably not have a very good time putting up with the jeers about the diamond studded collar. Labs are just better for hunting waterfowl. It's the same as nickel on banjos.

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Edited by - Gomer on 07/20/2010 07:54:43

Viktor Velthuijs - Posted - 07/20/2010:  09:35:38

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Janet,

Thank you for answering, that was very helpful. The reason I asked is because the wood is already cut.

I have one other question. A fingerboard entirely out of mother-of-pearl. On the website says it adds a certain brilliance to the sound but it doesn't get too bright compared to ebony for example?

Thanks!

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Edited by - Viktor Velthuijs on 07/23/2010 10:53:41

DIV - Posted - 07/20/2010:  09:43:36

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Good point, Gomer. I like your thinking. I've never cared for what I call Gaudiness in banjos. It's just my personal preference. As for gold (yellow) especially, I don't care for it (yeah, except in teeth). I prefer SS for my watches, platinum for my wedding band and nickel (or occasionally chrome) in banjos. No engraving, no carving...again it's just too much for me. I love the "understated elegnace" of the GDL with it's abalone accents, nickel parts, no carving, no engraving.

Janet Deering - Posted - 07/22/2010:  07:37:51

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Greg and I just stopped in at the American Banjo Museum in Oklahoma City, OK. What a wonderful tribute to the banjo!

Every banjo in the museum is gold plated. You'd think it it wasn't gold it isn't thought to be a banjo!

It is an amazing display of some of the most ornate banjos ever made. It's definately worth the time to visit.

Janet Deering - Posted - 07/22/2010:  07:47:58

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I have one other question (I am unsure if I can pm you). A fingerboard entirely out of mother-of-pearl. On the website it adds a certain brilliance to the sound but it doesn't get too bright compared to ebony for example?

It depends on what you like. Tenor and plectrum players have played with this type of fingerboard in show bands. The pearl fingerboard creates quite a showpiece. Because of the harder surface of the fingerboard the sound is slightly different and much of that difference is how a person plays.

If you intend to play it much more than show it, you might perfer an ebony fingerboard, it's hard to guess. Ebony is the more traditional approach.

DIV - Posted - 07/22/2010:  09:35:38

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I just received my 2001 GDL yesterday and I took it to my Wed night jam/workshop to try it out.
WOW!!! I was impressed!--floored actually. I was hoping I wouldn't like it so that I can immediately send it down to Deering to have the rim and tone ring upgraded to the newest violin maple rim and 06 tone ring, but now I'm having 2nd thoughts! It's amazing as it is. with the shallower resonator, the responsiveness is incredible. The notes jump off the head instead of bouncing around the deeper resonator like they do on my other Deering (not that that's bad, but just different)

Janet--when did Deering stop press-fitting the tone ring on to the rim??? I curious if this is one of the ones with the looser fit???

I've got some deciding to do...

Grey Dog - Posted - 07/22/2010:  09:58:01

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I opted to keep my older rim with the pre-06 ring....I know your troubles.

DIV - Posted - 07/22/2010:  17:14:38

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I guess I can upgrade, but not trade the old rim and ring in to Deering like I was originally planning. If I don't like the new rim and ring, I guess I can go back to the originals, although I risk having to have the heel of the neck re-cut, once, or possibly twice!....hmmm...not sure about this one.

Janet...? Any thoughts on this torturous dilemma?

Viktor Velthuijs - Posted - 07/23/2010:  10:52:32

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Janet, thank your for your comments. That settles it! A banjo is to be played, not to be showed off (in my opinion, although I suppose it's hard to resist sometimes ;-)). Ebony it is.

Grey Dog - Posted - 07/24/2010:  08:23:37

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I tend to notice things like to following:

The Golden Series has Maple and Mahogany, but not Walnut.
Of the classic inlays, it has H&F and Wreath, but not Flying Eagle.

It has plated and unplated tone rings....but...umm....Well, I'd go for a Hartford ring, here, myself. But a no-hole may be more fitting.


Seems like a third sibling is begging to be released!

...don't mind me, just causing trouble. I think the Deering line is quite robust and well-balanced.

Viktor Velthuijs - Posted - 07/25/2010:  17:36:36

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Dear Janet,

I have some new questions, please forgive me! :-)

Which of these tone rings would you say has the biggest dynamic range (i.e. from soft to loud)? The Krüger, the Grenadillo or the Bronze? Also, how does the sustain of the Grenadillo compare with the Krüger's? Which of these rings is the darkest, roundest? Which is the brightest?

Last but not least, I had read once that before you created the Grenadillo tone ring for John Hartford you also made, or tried out, tone rings made from other woods (rosewood, ebony?). How did these tone rings fare despite Hartford's preference?

Thank you!

Warm regards,

Viktor

DIV - Posted - 07/26/2010:  07:01:41

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quote:

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Originally posted by Grey Dog

I tend to notice things like to following:

The Golden Series has Maple and Mahogany, but not Walnut.
Of the classic inlays, it has H&F and Wreath, but not Flying Eagle.

Seems like a third sibling is begging to be released!

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Exactly!!!

I have mentioned/suggested this to Carolina Bridges at least twice now. I believe the that the Flying Eagle is the MOST popular "prewar" inlay pattern. How cool would it be to have a "Golden Eagle" in walnut--a style 4 banjo essentially. The Maple Golden Era/Classic is like the Granada, the Mahogany Golden Wreath is like the 3...we need a style 4. It would be the top seller! Heck, I would have gotten one if I didn't have a style 4 already!! I think Rosewood fingerboards should continue to be an option on the Golden line...it completes the "pre-war" look.

Gomer - Posted - 07/26/2010:  08:41:51

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quote:

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Originally posted by Janet Deering


Every banjo in the museum is gold plated. You'd think it it wasn't gold it isn't thought to be a banjo!

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I sort of reminds me of accordions, this gold and MOP thing. Real quickly, you start to see the metalflake keyboards and day-glo bellows rather than the beautiful craftspersonship of the instrument.

DIV - Posted - 07/26/2010:  10:32:57

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quote:

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Originally posted by Grey Dog

I opted to keep my older rim with the pre-06 ring....I know your troubles.

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I'm doing the same. I love it! It has lot's of pop and lot's of power. I'm amazed. The 1st and 2nd string have an "old time" hollow that blows me away every time I play it. And the shallower resonator actually projects of of the sound outward and it's more responsive...

Sorry, Janet. This one's not coming to you for a visit any time soon...

Janet Deering - Posted - 07/26/2010:  19:43:44

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No problem! I'm glad you are happy with it. It is a great banjo!

Janet Deering - Posted - 07/26/2010:  19:58:43

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Which of these tone rings would you say has the biggest dynamic range (i.e. from soft to loud)? The Krüger, the Grenadillo or the Bronze? Also, how does the sustain of the Grenadillo compare with the Krüger's? Which of these rings is the darkest, roundest? Which is the brightest?

The Kruger tone ring has the biggest dynamic range. The sustain of the Granadillo is not as great as the Kruger's because it has less density to the mass. The Hartford is the darkest and roundest. The -06 is the most versatile with greater sustain. The Kruger tone ring is the brightest, with great depth as well, and it's extremely responsive which is desireable for consumate masters. However, for the average player the -06 is more managable and forgiving because mistakes are less pronounced.

Last but not least, I had read once that before you created the Grenadillo tone ring for John Hartford you also made, or tried out, tone rings made from other woods (rosewood, ebony?). How did these tone rings fare despite Hartford's preference?


Yes, it was 20 years ago, and what Greg recalls is that the ebony sounded dry, the Brazillian Rosweood sounded loud but not as sweet and fruity as the Grenadillo. We also tried East Indian Rosewood and that sound was mellow.
Each one had it's own character. It is very interesting. So many possibilities.

DIV - Posted - 07/27/2010:  07:27:48

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quote:

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Originally posted by DIV
Janet--when did Deering stop press-fitting the tone ring on to the rim??? I curious if this is one of the ones with the looser fit???

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According to my serial number, this banjo was built in March of 2003...
Can you help me out?

Janet Deering - Posted - 07/27/2010:  09:14:14

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We quit press fitting tone rings in the mid ninties. We made a snug fit that could be put on by hand starting around 1995 or thereabouts.

However, the fit can vary with the climate because a rim can swell to a tighter fit in a very humid climate or shrink to a looser fit in a dry climate.

slammer - Posted - 07/27/2010:  09:38:41

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Is there any way to stabilize the Deering tailpiece? I hate having to eyeball it everytime I pick it up and give it a little tweak. And do a lot of Deering tailpiece owners remove the adjustment screw like on prestos? It just seems a little tippy or unstable to me and I hate to replace it for two reasons. #1- Money. #2 It says Deering on it and it looks good. Just wondering if there is another remedy I can't think of. Thanks in advance!!!
Slammer!!!

DeanT - Posted - 07/27/2010:  12:35:58

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This was one of my major complaints slammer! I went to ACE hardware and got some spacer stock. Measured my tail piece at the exact adjustment I like, then sized the spacer on my belt sander. Once installed, you can tighten it rock solid, and the tailpiece will never rock, tilt, vibrate or rattle or move ever again.

slammer - Posted - 07/27/2010:  13:24:18

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Hey Dean,
Why didn't I think of that???.
Better yet , why didn't Deering think of that.
Like I said , I like the tailpiece , just not the movement from it every time I take it out of the case or bump it wrong. Gonna get me some spacer stock and take care of it ASAP.
Thanks Dean Slammer!!!

gdoc - Posted - 07/27/2010:  14:34:24

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quote:

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Originally posted by 1four5

This was one of my major complaints slammer! I went to ACE hardware and got some spacer stock. Measured my tail piece at the exact adjustment I like, then sized the spacer on my belt sander. Once installed, you can tighten it rock solid, and the tailpiece will never rock, tilt, vibrate or rattle or move ever again.

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Better hurry and do the patent pending thing.... it's those silly ideas, cheap, easy to make... that get a fellow rich.