Bob Murphy - Posted - 02/22/2011:  09:55:01

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Gomer,

Volume is NOT an issue with the Tenbrooks line! My ears are still ringing from picking last night.

Bob

Bob Murphy - Posted - 02/22/2011:  09:55:16

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Gomer,

Volume is NOT an issue with the Tenbrooks line! My ears are still ringing from picking last night.

Bob

EggSalad - Posted - 02/22/2011:  10:46:17

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I could be wrong, but I believe all of Deerings parts are made in the USA.

Gomer - Posted - 02/22/2011:  17:27:04

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I think that except for those parts that were made in Jersey, you might be right.

Janet Deering - Posted - 02/23/2011:  18:19:57

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I'm a little confused by your catalog and the different ranges of banjo's. Don't know if you answered this already on here there's so much but :

MAde in USA sounds great. What parts of the banjo's are made by you in house and what parts are outsourced to asia? Does this ratio differ with certain more expensive ranges? I am looking for a perfect musical instrument made with precision and not a jumble of imported parts which do not fit together perfectly. How far do you go to ensure high quality and precision? If I was convinced this was the case I would go out and buy one. I don't believe a lot of what I read in ALL the banjo makers/resellers adverts and catologs. (because of some negative experience with other brands)
Paul

I understand. It's frustrating when companies have them made in Asia and imply that they are made in the USA by saying "assembled in the USA". The parts are still the parts and inferior quality parts still makes a lower quality banjo.

We make our necks, our resonators, our rims, our tension hoops, our tailpieces, Boston flanges, Eagle tone rings and our tubaphone tone rings in house. We have made in the USA by other shops our cast tone rings, flanges, heads, and our metal hardware. The only item we out-source to Asia is the tuners for a lack of makers in the USA.

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Edited by - Janet Deering on 02/23/2011 18:20:38

Pablo9364 - Posted - 02/24/2011:  12:42:01

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Thanks , sounds real good .............
Paul

Gomer - Posted - 02/24/2011:  14:39:05

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Is anything outsourced to those pesky Swiss??

JLB - Posted - 02/25/2011:  09:57:51

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Nothing you'd be interested in.

Gomer - Posted - 02/25/2011:  21:11:18

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Sorry Jim, didn't mean to offend any pesky Swiss

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Edited by - Gomer on 02/25/2011 21:11:47

hektic - Posted - 02/27/2011:  14:25:09

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Hey Janet,

I have a question about Goodtime Resonators

I'm selling my reso/flange off a 2006 Goodtime Special

one potential buyer has a 2010 model Goodtime
and one had a 17fret used Goodtime

Are they all standard?

Bob Murphy - Posted - 02/27/2011:  20:29:55

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Hi Janet,

Could you ask your set up people what the string height is at the 22nd fret when they ship the tenbrooks banjo with an 11/16 bridge? I'm trying to get mine back to factory specs.

Thanks,
Bob

Gomer - Posted - 03/02/2011:  07:59:15

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When I got mine it was a bit high for my taste so I smidged it down with shims until I got 9/64th. I don't have any buzz at all. I will watch this for a year shecking for schanges as the instrument settles in.

dpete210 - Posted - 03/02/2011:  10:06:10

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I am a fan of Deering banjos and have 3 of them. They are terrific banjos and I prefer their sound over the Mastertone sound. The one negative I have experienced with my Deering banjos (Hartford, Deluxe, Maple Blossom) is that the neck angle results in what I consider an uncomfortably high action as one moves up the neck. It should not be necessary to mess with co-rods, shim the neck, or go to a bridge less than 5/8 to get the action one wants on a banjo. While I realize "high action" for one may not be considered high for another, a slight more angle on the neck, in my opinion, would be a good thing. Perhaps I have been spoiled by my Nechville banjo where I can adjust the neck action due to its unique design and still use a tall bridge. However, I also have an RB 250 and Gold Star banjo and neither of them have the higher action distance up the neck as my Deering banjos. They are set up with neutral co rods, no shims, and 5/8" bridges. I have to use a 1/2 inch bridge on my Maple Blossom to get the action close to what I like. I want the co rods neutral and don't want my pot egging, so won't go there to make a further improvement. That leaves me with having to shim or go have the angle recut/reshaped (another unnecessary expense) to get a more favorable action on my Maple Blossom. On my Nechville (adjustable neck) I have an 11/16 bridge and what I consider a super playable action (3/32 at 12th fret) with no buzzing. My wish would be that the neck angle be a bit more favorable on my Deerings, and this would result in them receiving a rating of 10 on a scale of 0-10. That said, Deering may have already done this in more recent models. My newest Deering is a 92 model. However, I am a bit sceptic about that since Gomer says he had to shim his Deering neck, which I believe is more recent than my 92. I am curious if other Deering owners have a similar opinion on the neck action as one goes up the neck, and this is not meant as a put down because I really like my Deering banjos.

Bob Murphy - Posted - 03/02/2011:  11:31:12

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My other Deering is a 99 Golden Era, and it has a string height of 1/8" at the 22nd fret. I've never had to do much adjusting on this banjo at all. I just placed a .656 Nechville bridge (the goofy shaped one that Tony uses) on my Tenbrooks, because I also didn't want to mess with the coordinator rods. It did lower the action, but still not to 1/8. Great intonation with this bridge, but I still prefer the tone with a standard bridge. I may want to see if the Scorpion comes in this bridge height.

Bob

dpete210 - Posted - 03/02/2011:  11:39:51

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Bob, the Nechville Enterprise bridge is compensated, thus the "goofy" shape you describe. I have a couple I use and they are terrific bridges. Perhaps it is the weight of the bridge that affects the tone you desire more than the shape. You can likely get a Nechville bridge that would meet the weight requirements you prefer to get that tone. Check with Tom Nechville to see if he'll swap what you have for the weight you want. On the other hand, a Scorpion bridge is a fine bridge as well.

the-fish - Posted - 03/02/2011:  11:56:05

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Hi Janet.

Is a "kit" available to transform a Hartford from a standard flange banjo to a "pop off" version banjo? Just curious..

gdoc - Posted - 03/02/2011:  17:41:06

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On my Goodtime, I put on a 1/2" bridge and it brought the action down perfect on the neck. Problem is now the strings are so close on the head, I tend to hit the head and get that nasty thud thud thud. The more I play it, the less I hit the head though.

my Deluxe, 2010, I shimmed the neck with a piece (maybe 2) of heavy printer paper, 25# I think. Brought the action down real nice too. Still higher that I like, but close enough.

It seems a lot of people like their action higher because you get more volume, but they are all loud enough for me.

I don't know if it makes a big difference or not, but with lower action, I would think your banjo would play more in-tune up the neck, as you not bending the string so much.

Amazing the difference in a 1/2" and 5/8" bridge.

Maybe I'll change my hangout name to "low action". ya, kind of sings!

saltcreek - Posted - 03/02/2011:  18:44:11

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Hello Janet, when did you guys start going to the thinner or different neck shape on the Tenbrooks model? I may have a chance to pick up a 2008 but I am not to fond of the bigger neck profile.

Janet Deering - Posted - 03/03/2011:  12:36:05

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Is anything outsourced to those pesky Swiss??


Yes, Gomer, the Tenbrooks Jens Kruger Tone Ring comes from the bell foundry in Switzerland.

Janet Deering - Posted - 03/03/2011:  13:02:33

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Hello Janet, when did you guys start going to the thinner or different neck shape on the Tenbrooks model? I may have a chance to pick up a 2008 but I am not to fond of the bigger neck profile.


I believe we changed the neck shapes of the Tenbrooks banjos in 2007, but I don't have exact records on when it went into effect.

Janet Deering - Posted - 03/03/2011:  13:04:01

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Is a "kit" available to transform a Hartford from a standard flange banjo to a "pop off" version banjo? Just curious..

No. The way we make the pop-on resonators is completely different so it is not convertable without machining a whole new rim.

Janet Deering - Posted - 03/03/2011:  13:18:38

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I have a question about Goodtime Resonators

I'm selling my reso/flange off a 2006 Goodtime Special

one potential buyer has a 2010 model Goodtime
and one had a 17fret used Goodtime

Are they all standard?

Yes. They are all standard.

Janet Deering - Posted - 03/03/2011:  13:22:54

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Could you ask your set up people what the string height is at the 22nd fret when they ship the tenbrooks banjo with an 11/16 bridge? I'm trying to get mine back to factory specs.

Sure, we set all of our banjos up to have 1/8" action at the 22nd fret.

JimThorn - Posted - 03/03/2011:  16:16:49

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Hello Janet! Can you please tell me the model of this early Deering banjo, and maybe a little about it? The seller claims it is an early prototype, but I doubt it. I thought that you would be the one to ask.


cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Deering-B...30ebb06e6

Gomer - Posted - 03/03/2011:  20:42:21

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quote:

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Originally posted by Janet Deering

Is anything outsourced to those pesky Swiss??

Yes, Gomer, the Tenbrooks Jens Kruger Tone Ring comes from the bell foundry in Switzerland.

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NOOOOOWAAAY!

roxygrl - Posted - 03/04/2011:  11:49:06

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...Recon on it’s ‘bout time for ole Gomer to feel sorry an' repent for past conducts regards {pesky swiss} an’ begin some swiss Yodelling lessons, an’ take it all from the good ole’ “Riders in The Sky”....
youtube.com/watch?v=OxXy-m5VgK...e=related

XanRa - Posted - 03/05/2011:  08:47:14

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Hi Janet!

I figured I'll ask here since it's here to use...
I guess other people could answer this but I might aswell ask you, since I can
So- would the goodtime special tone ring- which you sell by itself too, right?
Would it fit any other goodtime without a tone ring?

Thanks for your time

k-dawg - Posted - 03/05/2011:  09:23:17

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Hi Janet, I recently bought an '82 Deering basic, and I'm told that it's nearly the same as the Deering Boston
Could you tell me how it differs from the current day Boston model? Since I don't have one here to make a comparison to.
Thanks.
Ken

Levi Fisher - Posted - 03/05/2011:  19:31:47

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Hi Janet,

I'm an old retired guy and a novice at banjo. After a several months of "window shopping" on-line and at local music stores, I finally bought my first banjo, A Goodtime Two Classic.

I know my purchase hasn't sent your company into a higher earning bracket but I wanted to let you know that it's appearance and sound won me over. I had started on an Older blonde Goodtime, that I rented, and wasn't in love with its appearance but the Classic with the darker finish is more appealing to me. Plus it has some great features, with the side markings on the frets, fiddle head, spikes and planetary tuners. Being American made was also a big part of my decision.

When and if my playing improves I intend to move up to something in the Deering Line. For now, I couldn't be happier.

Thank you for making affordable American Made banjos.

Sincerely..................................Levi

Gomer - Posted - 03/06/2011:  13:45:22

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quote:

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Originally posted by Levi Fisher


When and if my playing improves I intend to move up to something in the Deering Line. For now, I couldn't be happier.

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You will do well to stay far enough away from the Calico that you are not drawn by the powerful attraction. If you happen to wander too near, keep you hands off and your eyes averted. To gaze directly upon the honey-tobacco finish is to be powerless to resist. To inadvertently brush against one will leave you blitherling nonsense. You are warned!

Levi Fisher - Posted - 03/06/2011:  15:29:58

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quote:

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To inadvertently brush against one will leave you blitherling nonsense. You are warned!

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Thanks Gomer I'll keep that in mind. now I'll have to go to the Deering site and look at one

Gomer - Posted - 03/07/2011:  08:57:29

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You best look at the page through a mirror just in case.

dustinTN - Posted - 03/08/2011:  12:30:00

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quote:

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Originally posted by k-dawg

Hi Janet, I recently bought an '82 Deering basic, and I'm told that it's nearly the same as the Deering Boston
Could you tell me how it differs from the current day Boston model? Since I don't have one here to make a comparison to.
Thanks.
Ken

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I'll let Janet clarify this, of course, but I'll take a stab in the meantime. I've got an '88 Intermediate myself. If I remember correctly, the Basic has a slightly thinner gauge of metal for the pot and a matte/satin finish, while the Intermediate had a thicker metal pot and a glossy finish. The Boston was a combination of the two in that it used the thicker Intermediate pot and the matte/satin finish of the Basic. Of course, the newer Boston models for the past couple of years also now have fancy inlays.

My Intermediate has simple diamond inlays. Does your Basic have dot inlays (which is what the Boston's had until the recent fancy inlay upgrade)?

k-dawg - Posted - 03/08/2011:  12:48:20

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Yeah, they're dots. I did find an archive at Deering this morning that told my a few things about the Basic.
Thanks for the insight though, I appreciate it.
Ken

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Edited by - k-dawg on 03/08/2011 12:51:45

1982 Deering Basic

Janet Deering - Posted - 03/09/2011:  05:52:49

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Hello Janet! Can you please tell me the model of this early Deering banjo, and maybe a little about it? The seller claims it is an early prototype, but I doubt it. I thought that you would be the one to ask.

That banjo looks to me like a 1980 Basic Openback with a new head. It looks like the necks we made in the early 80"s of poplar. The poplar had that particular color when we stained it.

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Edited by - Janet Deering on 03/09/2011 05:53:38

Janet Deering - Posted - 03/09/2011:  05:55:29

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So- would the goodtime special tone ring- which you sell by itself too, right?
Would it fit any other goodtime without a tone ring

Yes, we will sell it by itself. And no, it would not fit right on. The rim would have to be machined to accept it.

Janet Deering - Posted - 03/09/2011:  06:06:05

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Dustin has it right. Also, the earlier Basic banjos were made of poplar, and when we upgraded it and changed the name it became mahogany. Poplar is a very good wood, very stable and it is used in the furniture industry for making table legs that have to be stored outside, it does not react as much to weather conditions as other woods. So we had chosen this wood for the Basic banjo. The only draw back is it has an odd color to it, so to cover the color we had to select that particular stain, and it isn't the prettiest color in town, not the worst either. We have made 1863 poplar Basic banjos and changed it to the mahogany Boston in 1993.

k-dawg - Posted - 03/10/2011:  13:55:00

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Thanks Janet. All the information is good to know.
Ken

XanRa - Posted - 03/11/2011:  12:29:35

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[quote/]Yes, we will sell it by itself. And no, it would not fit right on. The rim would have to be machined to accept it.[quote/]

How much machining would it take?
Not enough to damage the structure of the rim right?

I couldn't imagine I'd need TOO much changed

Gomer - Posted - 03/13/2011:  08:26:54

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quote:

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[i]Originally posted by XanRa
I couldn't imagine I'd need TOO much changed

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This business of buying tone rings leads to a philosophical paradox that often afflicts banjo players and other tinkering type.
The problem is that you have too much to make do and yet not enough to make it do. It is a awful place to be in life. It's kinda like being so rich that you think that you need to buy a second limousine so that you can hire another chauffeur in order to do your part for helping unemployment.
I would tell you that when you are in this malaise of pondering tone rings, that you really ought to buy a Hartford with the pop-off resonator. This puts you into the mentally less stressful situation of going back and forth between the resonator-on/resonater-off scenarios.
Buy first. Explain later. Don't hesitate to pull out the Better Mental Health card in order to placate the lovely Mrs. . Have a Nice Day!

Janet Deering - Posted - 03/13/2011:  16:56:27

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Gomer, You give the best advice!

Janet Deering - Posted - 03/13/2011:  17:02:48

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How much machining would it take?
Not enough to damage the structure of the rim right?


That's right. We don't take finished rims and then add the tone ring, so I'm not exactly sure how that would work. We take the ones we make right after they are glued up and turn them specially to take the tone ring.
But it wouldn't damage the structure of the rim if you are skilled enough to turn it on a lathe and fit the tone ring. The key dimension to watch for is to maintain the height from the top of the rim ( or tone ring once it is added) to the shoe holes. If you can keep that the same distance then everything will go back together correctly.
Good luck with it.

XanRa - Posted - 03/13/2011:  20:11:14

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Thanks Alot Janet

Will at sometime atleast be worth a try

Jeffpederp - Posted - 03/17/2011:  12:49:23

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Janet, I notice that the Deering eletronic e mail is advertising new Tenor Banjo Strings. Is there any more information on these ie gauge and composition for those for GDAE tuned tenors?

thanks

Janet Deering - Posted - 03/18/2011:  17:23:09

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Our new Tenor strings come in two kinds

GDAE tuning is best with for our Irish Tenor strings which are 12, 16, 24W 36W nickel/silver strings

Standard tenor tuning C,G,D,A is best with our light Tenor strings which are 10,16, 24W, 30W nickel/silver strings

We are finding more and more young people are taking up the tenor banjo. It's great to see that this style of banjo has a future in many musical genres.

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The Drop Kick Murphys are bring banjos to a whole new generation of music lovers.....

Interview: Memorial day pre-release -
the band talks about the Memorial Day song and appreciates the older generation

youtube.com/watch?v=4JekEFhVkK...e=related

Practice Session – Jeff DaRosa plays the Deering Dropkick Murphys Tenor banjo

youtube.com/watch?v=5WFaDK8SBE8

Tenor banjo has a future that may be different than it's past.....

don wiseman - Posted - 03/19/2011:  12:41:03

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I just got a mint used Old Tyme Wonder and have a few questions:
1. the s/n is 0147107 J698...when was it made?
2. can't use my favorite Lakota Leathers straps because there's not enough room under the hooks; any suggestions for a strap?
3. is the head bearing on the rim or is there a brass hoop or a small ring? Can't really tell without taking it apart and the online catalog doesn't say

EggSalad - Posted - 03/21/2011:  07:21:52

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Do all of the Hartford models have a pop off resonator, or can you get one with a standard resonator on it?

EggSalad - Posted - 03/21/2011:  07:44:45

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Does Deering sell Grenadillo tone rings seperately (without buying a hartford)? If so, can you point me in that direction.

snakeherd - Posted - 03/21/2011:  11:26:39

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Deering's grenadillo tone ring comes attached to the Hartford rim.