JLB - Posted - 09/16/2010:  10:10:36

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[[/quote]
I took a piece to a stockmaker here in CA and he started complaining how the wood from my clients place ruined his bits.
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Ha. I know the feeling. I have some black walnut we cut down about 50 years ago. It's like working stone!

Bill Rogers - Posted - 09/16/2010:  10:35:27

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Maybe it's time to bring the thread back to Deering. If you want to discuss rifle stocks and walnut, Off-Topic is the appropriate place.

Gomer - Posted - 09/16/2010:  13:44:59

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quote:

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Originally posted by Bill Rogers

Maybe it's time to bring the thread back to Deering. If you want to discuss rifle stocks and walnut, Off-Topic is the appropriate place.

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I couldn't more vehemently disagree even if the subject was religion or politics although the subtle manner in which I am trying to elicit Ms. Janet's response might be lost on all but the criminally insane.
You see, I am deftly creeping up on the subject of a lifetime banjo, a Deering in particular, but I need them to start on the topic of wood selection. My strategy is to poke the discussion ever so lightly from time to time. Then, if I can get a bite. . . Well,. . . Whamm, I can take up some negotiations offline. Don't tell anyone.

Janet Deering - Posted - 09/16/2010:  14:59:18

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You got it, Gomer!

Let's talk wood!

We may have some very incredible walnut gun stock blanks that would make a beautiful banjo neck.

If you have aquired a beautiful piece of wood that you want us to use, we are willing to work with it if it meets our criteria for the right features for a quality neck.

We made a banjo out of Pink Ivory wood that a customer bought from Africa a few years back and it became an exquisite banjo. I was glad he didn't tell us he spent $4,000 on the wood until after we finished the banjo. Tom Macomber performs gospel music with his Pink Ivory Ivanhoe.

Ronnie - Posted - 09/16/2010:  15:21:35

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A friend and I picked up a beautiful walnut gun stock from Bobby Thompson's trash. Apparently he wasn't happy with the way it turned out. Wouldn't that be great for a neck!! It wound up at my friend's house. I hope he still has it!!

Gomer - Posted - 09/16/2010:  15:39:31

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Aw Darnit! how can you be subtle and strategic when you give up the game-plan. See Mr. Bill, I told you precisely what would go down and it did.

Thankyou for the favor of your reply Ms Janet, these are general pieces of wood that have cured for several years and ought to be pretty strong. If I were paying $250,000 for a rifle I would expect a fairly select piece of wood. The ivorywood piece is quite attractive.

Janet Deering - Posted - 09/16/2010:  17:48:46

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Our favorite thing is to customize a banjo to make it that special lifetime dream come true instrument.

Wood is a great place to start because selecting an incredible piece of wood makes the whole project magic.
We have had some Brazillian Rosewood pieces that had unique coloring in the wood, some of the most amazing and exotic wood coloring I have seen. I think we are using the last piece of that wood now.
That is fun!

Usually we can get two banjo necks out of one blank for a rifle stock. There used to be a wood dealer here in El Cajon called Exotic Woods and we had a lot of fun finding the right pieces for special banjos from his stock for many years. He's gone now. So we search high and low to find the right pieces for special projects.

It may even require a trip to Hawaii...

We need a wood buying reason to make that special trip. Greg and I've never been there.

Does anyone want an exotic flamed Koa banjo?

Viktor Velthuijs - Posted - 09/18/2010:  08:37:24

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Dear Janet,

How is the Indian Rosewood you have?

:)

lunamoth - Posted - 09/20/2010:  08:14:43

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I love my new Sierra!! Mahogany is just luscious to hold and the sound is great!!!

UK - Posted - 09/20/2010:  11:13:17

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I have a chance to buy this banjo Janet I have been told it is two years old and is the David Holt and has the tree of life on the front. When I have looked in your catalogue it shows this banjo in dark brown with a carved heel. The banjo in the pictures does not have this is it another variety of the David Holt.
UK Thank You

Janet Deering - Posted - 09/20/2010:  13:37:15

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From the photos, I can see that it is a custom David Holt model made for someone just the way they requested it.

It does look like a valid Deering David Holt banjo.

Gomer - Posted - 09/22/2010:  11:49:02

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It is a lovely banjo indeed. I would love to see some pictures of the resonator.

Janet Deering - Posted - 09/23/2010:  15:42:44

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The David Holt model is an openback. What you see is what you get on the photos he put up.

Gomer - Posted - 09/23/2010:  16:11:15

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quote:

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Originally posted by Janet Deering

The David Holt model is an openback. What you see is what you get on the photos he put up.

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Well, As Huell Howser might say: "what you are saying then, is that there is no resonator on that banjo? . . . . Why that's just amazing!!". It is really a beautiful piece.

Janet Deering - Posted - 09/23/2010:  19:42:15

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Yes, one unique thing about the David Holt model is the extra deep rim, it is much deeper than any other banjo we make, 4 1/2" deep.

That is one of the qualities that gives it that deep resonant tone. That, and the Grenadillo tonering.

The vine in the fingerboard is made from silver and the flowers are abalone and leaves are mother of pearl. It has the Calico wood perfling decorating the pot with ivoroid binding.

We just love making those banjos. They come out so beautiful and sound great.

briln - Posted - 09/24/2010:  08:57:42

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Hi Janet,

I have a 30th Anniversary and chose it for the smaller neck then what is availabie (or was) ont the Tenbrooks banjos you sell regularly. Have you producedother banjos which were special and are no longer sold? Can you provide some history about how the MOP markings were designed on this banjo and what the style is vs. the Tenbrooks.

Thanks, I really love the 30th. When Jens Kruger played it briefly he said he could definitely earn a living playing it. Of course I think he could do well just playing a goodtime.

Gomer - Posted - 09/25/2010:  08:13:06

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I was under the impression that the 30th neck was the traditional Deering profile. Also, Deering shaved down my instructor's neck ( on the banjo not the the one between AR's shoulders) on his tenbrooks. Was his profile in between the two or smaller than the Deering, I'm wondering?

briln - Posted - 09/25/2010:  09:36:13

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It is the traditional Deering Neck. One thing I have noticed is that my McKinney capo fits fine but the Kateyz capo does not. For me this smaller the neck the better so I will interested in the answer. My question is can you go still smaller on the neck without compromising the integrity.

Mullie - Posted - 09/30/2010:  05:07:01

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Hey Janet. I am a big Deering fan but was caught a bit off-guard by the recent "Goodtime for $199...click for details" email that I received. Was this marketing idea developed in-house? It seemed a bit misleading. I would enjoy hearing your thoughts. The reaction around here has been mixed at best! Thanks again for your participation on the forum.

Janet Deering - Posted - 09/30/2010:  07:37:54

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Yes. The marketing plan was concieved in house.

It was run as a test to see if a down payment and being able to get the banjo now with follow up payments would be something people would find valuable.

I can see it got very mixed reviews. We will know more when the dust settles.

Janet Deering - Posted - 09/30/2010:  07:47:05

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I have a 30th Anniversary and chose it for the smaller neck then what is availabie (or was) on the Tenbrooks banjos you sell regularly. Have you produced other banjos which were special and are no longer sold? Can you provide some history about how the MOP markings were designed on this banjo and what the style is vs. the Tenbrooks.

Yes, we have produced other banjos which were special and are no longer sold. The Grand Ole Opry banjo we made for a few years is no longer available, the Folk Era Long Neck, Pickers Plus banjos, there are just a few that we've made that we no longer make.

The 30th Anniversary is a Deering banjo by general design but with the Tenbrooks Jens Kruger Tone Ring, and Deering resonator depth and neck shape. It is a blend of key features from many eras of our banjo designs.

The Mother of Pearl markings were inlays Greg designed for a banjo for himself way back in 1986. For years he had the only banjo with those inlays, we had a nick name for his banjo because of the inlays - it was called "the tounge".

If you look closely at the peghead of the banjo you will see that the inlays are reminiscent of a lion's head, and out of the mouth a piece of pearl is inlaid that looks like a tounge. ( Greg's humor)

It was always a chuckle when leaving the house people would hear me ask Greg if he remembered his tounge.

Mullie - Posted - 09/30/2010:  08:52:05

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quote:

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Originally posted by Janet Deering

Yes. The marketing plan was concieved in house.

It was run as a test to see if a down payment and being able to get the banjo now with follow up payments would be something people would find valuable.

I can see it got very mixed reviews. We will know more when the dust settles.

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Thanks Janet. I think the marketing approach to make a great banjo available to more people was a wonderful idea. I didn't love the presentation of the email however it certainly was not "deceiving" by any stretch. The full details were in large print, in red, with an *. Those that might have thought that this was trickery or "small print" must have some other issues - because that wasn't the case. Best of luck with it!

PharmBoy - Posted - 09/30/2010:  12:27:07

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quote:

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Originally posted by Janet Deering

Yes. The marketing plan was concieved in house.

It was run as a test to see if a down payment and being able to get the banjo now with follow up payments would be something people would find valuable.

I can see it got very mixed reviews. We will know more when the dust settles.

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I think maybe the ad just needs to be tweaked a bit. It certainly is a great thing to offer what is in effect free financing, though.

Janet Deering - Posted - 10/02/2010:  08:21:40

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Thanks. Yes, we tweaked it to make it more clear.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Grey Dog - Posted - 10/02/2010:  15:54:46

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Hi Janet,

Have you guys ever put a Hartford ring in a Golden Series banjo?

yumagah - Posted - 10/03/2010:  08:18:03

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I recently got my first Mastertone-level banjo, got a great deal on a competitor's brand. I really like it, but it makes me appreciate my Goodtime Classic all the more. The two instruments are like the proverbial apples & oranges. The other banjo weighs a ton, is louder and has the classic Mastertone sound. The Goodtime is much lighter and the sound is more versatile for other kinds of music than bluegrass. I would much prefer using the Goodtime for performing solo or in duos. The warmer tone is great on that kind of music.

I wouldn't think of letting either instrument go!

Janet Deering - Posted - 10/05/2010:  09:18:52

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Yes, the Goodtime banjos are very versatile and I'm glad that you enjoy playing it even when you have a more expensive and heavier banjo. That is part of the beauty of the Goodtime banjos, they are an amazing quality at a very low price and will be enjoyed for what they are in their own right for generations to come just the same as our professional quality Deering and Vega banjos.

That was my purpose even before I met Greg, to build something that would be enjoyed and handed down for generations to come. Greg had a passion to make banjos. That was our first conversation after youth group one night that started this whole thing into motion when I was seventeen. Two years later we married. I'm glad we got married 36 years ago and went into business because what we do is truly a pleasure. It's not easy, but we enjoy it all the while.

Janet Deering - Posted - 10/05/2010:  09:20:17

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Yes, we have put a Hartford tone ring in a Golden Series banjo. As I recall we have done this on one of them and it was an amazing banjo!

Grey Dog - Posted - 10/08/2010:  08:06:30

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quote:

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Originally posted by Janet Deering

Yes, we have put a Hartford tone ring in a Golden Series banjo. As I recall we have done this on one of them and it was an amazing banjo!

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I'm currently in the works of making that "one" a "two".....

Gomer - Posted - 10/11/2010:  16:53:27

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Good Morning tae ye, Ms Janet. I am wondering what your upcharge is for a radiused fingerboard on a new banjo. I cannot find the info on your website and thus have only heard it rumored. I note that Stelling, Prucha, Cox, Wildwood charge betwen 250-300 for the upgrade. would you be as kind as to let me know what you folks charge?

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Edited by - Gomer on 10/11/2010 17:01:33

ctopp - Posted - 10/12/2010:  19:38:57

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Janet,
I enjoyed our conversation at IBMA. Thanks for participating in the trade show and for your discussion forum here. You are a special person.
Charles

uscooter - Posted - 10/21/2010:  11:56:59

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Hi Everyone,
Long time reader, not a big poster.

Here’s a little bit of history about myself.
I’ve been learning to play bluegrass style on a Banjo Like Object for a year and a half. I was getting tired of constantly fixing it to try and get good quality sound out of it.
I really wanted to purchase a banjo that sounds good, looks good, and is made in the US to support our economy. So I made a big jump and purchased a new 06’ Golden Era that a local music store had in their back room. It was only by chance that the salesman noticed me picking a Deluxe that he brought out the Golden Era and mentioned that he doesn’t have many people looking at high end banjos in our area. After playing it on several different occasions and some negotiations, I was able to purchase my “forever banjo” at a price I could afford. And it sounds awesome, looks awesome, and is made right here is the US.

Because I am fairly new to caring for banjos of this caliber, I have a few questions.
Is there anything I need to do to this banjo since it’s an 2006 and has been sitting in the back room, besides play the dickens out of it, which I have been doing every day?
At what point do you start applying almond oil to the fret board that was mentioned earlier in this thread?
What is the best way to store this beauty? I store it in the case so it is well protected but should I leave it flat on it’s back, on it’s side, or upright, or does it really matter?
What is a good strap to use with this banjo?
What are the original strings used on the Golden Era so I can purchase a spare set?

Janet, Thank you very much for this thread it is very educational for me.

Gomer - Posted - 10/21/2010:  18:40:57

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Welcome! I like to say : Go large or get thee back to thine residence. Congratulations. New strings and a set-up will get you up and running. Go to Dogwood designs for a strap with your name tooled into the leather. Get live instructor lessons and stick it out. BPR.

Janet Deering - Posted - 10/21/2010:  20:33:36

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Greg and I just returned from a trip to Baja, Mexico. Our first real "time off" in about 15 years. Usually when we are gone we are working double time either with Scouting or doing festivals or trade shows. But, this time we took 12 days and went with Bob Taylor and several other friends into the out back of Baja, Mexico fishing and driving the dirt roads and enjoying the unpopulated desert and mountains and coast line beaches of central Baja.

The last evening Greg and Bob jammed, Bob Taylor on a Deering Goodtime banjo and Greg on his Taylor guitar. Bob taught Greg to play Salt Creek on the guitar about 36 years ago when they first met. It's great to have fun with old friends. We've both been so busy raising our families and growing our businesses that we haven't had much time to play. It was great!

Janet Deering - Posted - 10/21/2010:  20:39:53

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I am wondering what your upcharge is for a radiused fingerboard on a new banjo.

The cost is $375

Janet Deering - Posted - 10/21/2010:  20:42:19

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I'm currently in the works of making that "one" a "two".....

That's great. We're happy to make the Golden Era banjos with the Hartford tone ring.

It will be a beautiful instrument.

Gomer - Posted - 10/21/2010:  21:11:42

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Thanks Ms. Janet. It's always good to go the source. Welcome back from Baja Sur. I am up and down the Sea of Cortez each summer before the chubascos come in. I take down thousands of dollars of fishing gear and camera equipment without a second thought. Somehow the idea of having to protect my Deering Roquefort from marauders sends shivers down my spine.

Janet Deering - Posted - 10/21/2010:  21:12:18

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Is there anything I need to do to this banjo since it’s an 2006 and has been sitting in the back room, besides play the dickens out of it, which I have been doing every day?
Like Gomer said, just get it set up. Head tightened and everything snug.

At what point do you start applying almond oil to the fret board that was mentioned earlier in this thread?
Whenever you want to. We first apply almond oil when we string it up.

What is the best way to store this beauty? I store it in the case so it is well protected but should I leave it flat on it’s back, on it’s side, or upright, or does it really matter? It doesn't really matter. But it's best to leave it out on a stand beside your easy chair so that it will jump into your lap when you sit down and you'll get more playing time in that way.

What is a good strap to use with this banjo? The Dogwood Straps are great. Generally choose a leather strap, not a synthetic because sometime the chemicals in synthetic leather will bleed color into the finish if the strap is laid against the finish.

What are the original strings used on the Golden Era so I can purchase a spare set?
We use medium gauge strings now. At the time your Golden Era was assembled we probably put light gauge strings on it. Either will work fine. Light are easier on your fingers until you have callouses. Medium give a more substantial sound.

Janet Deering - Posted - 10/21/2010:  21:20:32

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Gomer, The Sea of Cortez was absolutely beautiful, warm, dry and sunny. Hardly anyone is on any of the beaches along the coast. When you go there, that is a good occasion to take a Goodtime banjo so you don't risk your Deering Roquefort.

We got searched by the Mexican army about 5 times at different check points. They are very nice and polite and are simply checking for drugs or guns. It seems like the new Presidente is doing an all out effort to put a stop to the drug runners. We didn't mind the check points. It was kind of entertaining to watch these nice young men in camo's holding machine guns look through our trucks. They were very polite. They appreciated the fact that we had a guitar and a banjo with us. We took a Goodtime Special. It usually brought a smile.

Deaf David - Posted - 10/22/2010:  22:47:10

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The more I hear about what Deering(s) are doing to promote the banjo, the more I think Gibson is a collectors item for archivist and museums.

Thank you Janet and Greg.

(Also, the more I play my used Deluxe, the more I love it. Some day it will be a vintage prize.)

jwgreene01 - Posted - 10/23/2010:  06:14:48

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Quick Question, Any thoughts that Deering will start having EVO fret wire as the standard fret wire instread of nickel?

Gomer - Posted - 10/23/2010:  11:54:55

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You can get SS frets as an upgrade for $85. I have taken the leap. All the arguments about tonal differences and feel are hogwash. I am under the impression that EVO is a compund between the 18% and the SS. I could be wrong, in fact might be wrong, or at least only partly correct. Welcome Mr. JW

jwgreene01 - Posted - 10/24/2010:  08:32:53

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Thank you Gomer for the welcome. Yes, you are correct based on my research EVO fret wire is the middle ground between nickel and SS on the hardness scale. I just had my Golden Era refretted with EVO. Although I am a novice (been taking lessons just over a year) I typically practice 2-3 hrs a day and this was my second refrett. My thought is EVO wire is priced marginally above nickel while SS is priced higher and requires more specialized tools. EVO wire would not increase BOM costs or only slightly(if negotiated correctly) while product quality improves without impacting dealer or retail price. Although a premium could be upcharged depending on price elasticity but ownership maintenance costs would decrease. Just a thought.

DeanT - Posted - 10/24/2010:  10:35:05

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quote:

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You can get SS frets as an upgrade for $85

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Can someone walk into their local Deering dealer, and order, say a new Eagle II, with SS frets, for $85 more than the Dealers tag price? That would be the best $85 someone could spend on a banjo, and would be a fantastic excuse to shop for a new Deering... as opposed to shopping the classifieds. From experience, I would never even consider a new banjo again, without SS frets.

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Edited by - DeanT on 10/24/2010 10:36:03

Gomer - Posted - 10/24/2010:  14:45:22

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Greetings Brother Dean! that is what I paid on my last factory re-fret in addition to the refret fee. I bought three banjos worth of the stuff for $18 dollars but my usuall guy had never installed them on a banjo before. I have been afraid of guinea pigs and being one ever since the South Park episode about Peruvian flute bands. Whether SS frets are worth the extra 75 dollars labot is debatable but it is all academic for me. Like Mr JW, I was on my second refret in three years.

Gomer - Posted - 10/24/2010:  14:46:34

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Say Ms. Janet, do all the new tenbrooks now get the Deering neck profile standard?? tcw

DeanT - Posted - 10/24/2010:  17:08:36

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quote:

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Whether SS frets are worth the extra 75 dollars labot is debatable

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I've gotten a quote (I think somewhere in this thread in fact) of $315 for a refret for my Calico by Deering. I'm seriously considering it since I don't want to screw up binding or my ebony fretboard from removing glued in frets. I refretted my Goodtime myself with SS frets for a total retail material cost of $12.95 shipped. It took me a year to trash the original frets. A year after the refret, and there is no wear whatsoever on the SS frets. I would have gladely paid $75 extra for my Calico to get SS frets. It's my gig banjo, and I really can't afford to be without it for more than a day or two, and I'm saving up for the inevitable refret. Having soft worn out frets on a premium banjo is just a pain in the a$$, and the technology exists for that not to be.

gdoc - Posted - 10/24/2010:  22:22:40

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I would think that a stainless set of frets would be the last set a person would ever need, and their grandchildren too. I've worked with stainless steel, and to get it done for $85 extra is CHEAP!

Grey Dog - Posted - 10/25/2010:  04:22:08

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You guys talking about SS-ing the first five, or all of them??