justdrawinglines - Posted - 04/19/2011:  06:14:53

quote:

---

Originally posted by daytripper

aha, thanks.

 

I'm looking at moving up from my Goodtime openback to a 2nd-hand Boston, both lefty

---

No problem.  FWIW - I also tried the Boston and happened to like it a lot.  Especially the weight.  It was loud and bright, but had nice bottom as well.  Had I not gotten such a great deal on the Sierra, I probably would have ended up with the Boston, or ordered the Eagle II.  Since you are a lefty, and this is available, I would suggest you go and play it if you can.  I think you'll like it a lot.  

Janet Deering - Posted - 04/20/2011:  21:22:13

I have just returned from the Musikmesse Show in Frankfurt, Germany where we sell our banjos to music store owners from all over the world.  It was a great show and business has started picking up this year quite a bit.  It's great to see the economy improving on a global basis.

I will be available for about a week before we leave for the Merlefest festival in Wilkesboro, NC in the end of April.  I'll do my best to answer any questions that have come up in the last month.

Eric Gibson's Legacy has an '06 tone ring -  that's one question I can answer that I saw when I skimmed through the conversations.

I'll catch up on more questions tomorrow.  I hope you all are doing great.  Greg and I have a lot of traveling planned for the next few months so I'll be in and out of the Hangout.

I'll tune in again tomorrow.

hayesdt - Posted - 04/21/2011:  07:44:48

I have a couple of Deering Goodtimes, one a blonde Goodtime2 and a the other a Special Classic, and have occasionally tuned them up to A -- just for short periods of time, and have later returned them to G tuning -- to be able to play in A and D without a capo.  I just find that any capo slightly dampens tone and playability with any banjo.  I also own a Deering Vega Senator Open Back, but have generally been unable to tune it up to A because I ususually break the first string.

I would prefer not go go with a "parlor" banjo in order to tune up to A.

Can the Deering Goodtime neck on any of the standard scale models withstand tuning up to A for an extended period ot time?   And if so, should I go with a lighter gauge string set?   Thanks in advance for any responses.

Janet Deering - Posted - 04/21/2011:  09:11:41

Tuning a standard length Goodtime neck up to A puts a whole lot more pounds of tension on the neck. I would not recommend leaving it tuned in A.

It's fine to tune it up for some tunes but  then leave it tuned in G as a general rule.

If you are breaking strings on your Vega Senator tuned in A you may need to use a lighter gauge string set.

We designed the Goodtime banjos for tuning in G, unless you select a Parlor Goodtime which is designed for tuning in A or G.

If you try tuning a regular Goodtime neck to A and leaving it in that tuning you are in unchartered territory.

Janet Deering - Posted - 04/21/2011:  09:20:42

Say Ms Janet, On the Hartford 24 fret, about how much away from the rim does the bridge sit as opposed to a regular neck??  Inquiring minds want to know! . .  

Thanks for all your input here Tom.

It depends on the gauge of strings you are using. The way to place it correctly is by the intonation and harmonic notes at the twelfth fret. 

Details on how to set the bridge are on our website under Support,  in the Deering Banjo Maintenance Manual at deeringbanjos.com.

I don't have any 24 fret banjos in stock to measure as they are made to specific orders and shipped out immediately when they are completed.

So I cannot even give you a ball park measurement. Your guess is as good as mine.

gdoc - Posted - 04/21/2011:  10:15:13

Hi Janet,

  Your last post got me to wondering.  A banjo with a truss rod has a counter pull on the strings, and can be left in tune all the time, as the strings and truss rod balance each other.  Now on my Goodtime, without a truss rod, should I be loosing the strings when not playing it?  If tuning from G to A can make a difference, will standard G tuninng do the same over a period of time?

Thank you in advance for your answer.

Janet Deering - Posted - 04/25/2011:  20:50:04

No, there is no need to loosen the strings.  The hard rock maple of the neck is strong enough to compensate for the pull of the strings.

Like I said,  we have not tried the experiment of leaving a Goodtime tuned up to A.   Let's give it a whirl....

So Hayesdt ,  you have my permission to leave your banjo tuned in A and tell me if you see any change as an experiment. 

If you have any problem from it  I'll replace the neck and we'll all learn something. 

I'm not offering this to everyone at the same time,  just Hayesdt,  so long as you let us know if there is any problem.

Janet Deering - Posted - 04/25/2011:  20:57:32

youtube.com/watch?v=Rgb2loxn-3Y 

This is well worth watching.  I don't think I have ever seen a more beautiful banjo player!

hayesdt - Posted - 04/25/2011:  21:17:49

quote:

---

Originally posted by Janet Deering

No, there is no need to loosen the strings.  The hard rock maple of the neck is strong enough to compensate for the pull of the strings.

Like I said,  we have not tried the experiment of leaving a Goodtime tuned up to A.   Let's give it a whirl....

 

So Hayesdt ,  you have my permission to leave your banjo tuned in A and tell me if you see any change as an experiment. 

If you have any problem from it  I'll replace the neck and we'll all learn something. 

I'm not offering this to everyone at the same time,  just Hayesdt,  so long as you let us know if there is any problem.

 

This is a very kind offer.  I truly have been tuning it back down to G following a two-hour jam session or gig a couple of times a week.  I'll leave it tuned up to A and see what happens, although I'm actually very confident the neck will be fine over the long run.  I use light gauge or light-medium strings and have already checked numbers with a string tension calculator.  But I will watch carefully to see if I note any changes.   Thanks again. 

---

Edited by - hayesdt on 04/25/2011 21:27:30

Debbiej - Posted - 04/26/2011:  03:40:44

What kind of tone do you get from a deering vega bluegrass senator?  Can you get a nice crisp bluegrass sound with plenty of volume or because of the lightened tone ring is it more of a mellow sound?  I can't seem to find any sound bites or any you tube videos of the bluegrass senator (with the resonator).

thanks,

Debbie

hayesdt - Posted - 04/26/2011:  10:10:56

quote:

---

Originally posted by hayesdt

quote:

---

Originally posted by Janet Deering

No, there is no need to loosen the strings.  The hard rock maple of the neck is strong enough to compensate for the pull of the strings.

Like I said,  we have not tried the experiment of leaving a Goodtime tuned up to A.   Let's give it a whirl....

 

So Hayesdt ,  you have my permission to leave your banjo tuned in A and tell me if you see any change as an experiment. 

If you have any problem from it  I'll replace the neck and we'll all learn something. 

I'm not offering this to everyone at the same time,  just Hayesdt,  so long as you let us know if there is any problem.

 

This is a very kind offer.  I truly have been tuning it back down to G following a two-hour jam session or gig a couple of times a week.  I'll leave it tuned up to A and see what happens, although I'm actually very confident the neck will be fine over the long run.  I use light gauge or light-medium strings and have already checked numbers with a string tension calculator.  But I will watch carefully to see if I note any changes.   Thanks again. 

---

 

---

 If you've followed the Deering Discussion thread for the past few days you may remember that I raised a question last week about whether I could leave my Deering Goodtime Special Classic tuned up to A (from G) for an extended period of time.  Janet Deering subsequently made me the above very kind offer to help determine the effect.

I should explain that in the Old Time jam groups / gigs I routinely attend about 2-3 times per week -- each about 2 hours -- I usually take two banjos:  one (usually my Vega Senator Open Back) in regular G tuning, and my Deering Special Classic Open Back tuned up to A.  I tune the second banjo up to A for the jams/gigs in order that I may quickly, without capoing, play in the keys of A and D on many fiddle tunes as they are called out to play in those keys.  It's quicker for me to change banjos than to capo up from G tuning, plus, I find that any capo just doesn't allow the strings to ring to my satisfaction.  When I return home, I've been lowering my Goodtime Special Classic back to its normal G tuning.  Given that most of the tunes my jam/gig groups play can be played out of regular G tuning positions, I'm guessing that this banjo only gets a total of about 3-4 actual hours of playing and practice time per week in the A tuning, perhaps another hour or two out of a regular G tuning when it's at home.

I have been interested in whether it would harm this banjo, and specifically its neck, just by leaving it in the A tuning all the time.

I should mention also that on the Goodtime Special Classic banjo, I have routinely been using GHS 140 strings (lights or light/mediums), rated at 9.5  11  12  20  9.5.  That's just my string preference; I happen to like lights or light mediums better than mediums for my banjos -- for me they just have a better feel and adequate tone.  Also, I generally (with some exceptions) do not play three-finger-style with picks; normally I'm using some of the many variations of Clawhammer or Frailing, often with double thumbing and some drop thumb.  Sometimes, because it's a jam group and I want/need to be heard, when I Clawhammer I use a thumbpick and also a "turned-around" fingerpick on my middle finger (prefer to use that rather than the index finger), though most of the time I'm bare-fingered.

Finally, because I'm basically a Clawhammer player and sometimes (on just a few tunes) want to play out of one of the preferred Clawhammer tunings -- Double C or if capoed Double D -- I use the first banjo (the Vega Senator) and retune it from its G tuning (and capo if necessary) for those situations.  I have been reluctant to use the Goodtime which is already in A to tune that 2nd string up even a half a step more that the Double D tuning would require, for fear of breaking the 2nd string. 

As a part of this "experiment," this morning I again tuned my Goodtime Special Classic up to A and will now leave it there.  When I have occasion to change strings over the next few weeks/months, I'll continue to use the same GHS 140s.  Over the next several weeks or months, I'll continue to report back to the BanjoHangout under the Deering Discussion to note what I perceive to be any and all effects.  Occasionally I might post pictures of the neck and action, include sound clips, note any differences in feel and action, and note the effects I feel the changes in summer/fall/winter humidity are having on the neck (although in our house we generally try to keep humidity around 50% most of the time, perhaps it's higher in summer).  I'll try to keep readers posted on any changes I notice.

Frankly, I'm not expecting -- especially since I use light or light/medium strings -- any harmful effects to the neck.  But I'll be objective about this, try to give it as fair and objective as possible a test, and we'll see where we are in a few months.

And again, my thanks to the Deering folks.

Dan Hayes

Edited by - hayesdt on 04/26/2011 10:13:14

BoneDigger - Posted - 04/26/2011:  10:18:03

Janet,

Just a quick question regarding the Goodtime banjos...

Is there a particular reason why you use guitar tuners rather than standard banjo tuners (behind the headstock)?  I have not had any problems with mine but was wondering whether it saves money or if it's just a "Goodtime thing" so that they look different?

Also, with the black binding on the new Goodtimes you should think of going to black tuner-heads so they match the binding.  That would look very nice...

BTW, I am very pleased with the tone and playability of my new Goodtime Special.  They are just about perfect for campfire playing, practicing, and jamming with a few friends.  Congrats to you guys for another fine banjo!   The tone ring and 3-ply rim sound great!

Todd

healingbalm - Posted - 04/27/2011:  08:42:20

Hi Janet! I have two questions about the Crossfire.

I recently purchased a used Crossfire. The bridge had been replaced with a 9/16" bridge by a previous owner. I ordered a new head and bridge from you to do a complete set up on the banjo (which played nice the way it was). The 5/8" bridge (which I was told is the correct bridge from Deering) raised the strings considerably and in order to correct the issue required shimming the neck. It solved the problem and the banjo plays beautifully now with the 5/8" bridge. Can you tell me if crossfire's are shimmed from the factory? Im curious if someone just removed the original shim or if other forces may be at play here.

Also, I ordered the metal strip which goes under the head for the bridge pickup (it was missing when I got the banjo). Can you tell me the exact location it should be located (directly under the bridge, just in front of the bridge, behind)??? I tried directly under and it seemed to be overdriving the signal. I then moved it to just in front which improved it but Im curious where you put them from the factory.

Thank you!!!!!!

Dan in CT

hayesdt - Posted - 05/06/2011:  10:56:31

(See my earlier post above, dated 4-26, for details.)

Have now had my Deering Goodtime Special Classic tuned up to A (from its normal G) for ten days now.  I've noticed absolutely no problems at all, no difference in action, neck seems through observation and measuring to be as straight and flat as ever.   Tone and playability seem excellent, just as before.   Used it for a good two hours of playing at a jam last night.  Will keep providing updates about this every ten days or so. 

Edited by - hayesdt on 05/06/2011 10:58:29

Gomer - Posted - 05/07/2011:  08:37:47

Your desire to experiment is admirable, but you gotta realize that these necks under the additional tension of an A tuning don't warp; they just up and snap.  I don't know what the statistics are on the east coast, but almost every year, we lose banjo players whose A tuned necks snap off and hit them right between the eyes.  It's not pretty and you may be risking your family. It's an ugly way to go, what with the wood splinters and torn fret sticking in your eyeballs.  The open-back won't help you.. If I were you, I would get spikes and a capo right away, before you hurt somebody.

hayesdt - Posted - 05/07/2011:  10:23:35

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gomer

Your desire to experiment is admirable, but you gotta realize that these necks under the additional tension of an A tuning don't warp; they just up and snap.  I don't know what the statistics are on the east coast, but almost every year, we lose banjo players whose A tuned necks snap off and hit them right between the eyes.  It's not pretty and you may be risking your family. It's an ugly way to go, what with the wood splinters and torn fret sticking in your eyeballs.  The open-back won't help you.. If I were you, I would get spikes and a capo right away, before you hurt somebody.

---

If that indeed turns out to be the case, then you can handle my lawsuit, but you only get 20% of damages, not 33 1/3%.!

Edited by - hayesdt on 05/07/2011 10:24:29

Gomer - Posted - 05/07/2011:  12:15:30

Thanks for that offer. I am thinking that at either percentage, my fee would be the same.

Janet Deering - Posted - 05/07/2011:  13:59:23

I just returned from a wonderful time at Merlefest in Wilkesboro, NC.  The weather was great and there were lots of people who went home happy with their new banjo.

The Kruger Brothers performed their new Appalachian Concerto which they also released on CD.  It was an absolutely amazing concert to a theater of about 800 people with several standing ovations.  This is really great music.  You can probably order the CD on line at the krugerbrothers.com.

Our daughter, Jamie came to the festival with us. She started working with us again recently as Artist Relations focusing on many of the younger bands, like Dropkick Murphys,  Mad Caddies, Mumford & Sons, the Avett Brothers, Larry & His Flask..... reaching the banjoists performing in alternative styles of music.  Lots of them are already playing Deering banjos, and we are learning that there is a huge new banjo movement with people under 40!  You'll see updates on Merlefest and these new bands on our Deering Banjos  Facebook page. Jamie keeps that up to date with the latest happenings.

Greg and I will be displaying our banjos at the International Guitar Meeting in Sarzana Italy later this month, and then we will be at Eagle Music in Huddersfield, Yorkshire England on May 29th.  We look forward to seeing lots of wonderful people there.  If you're in the area I hope you'll come.

We are in and out so much this year, I'll be signing onto the Hangout whenever I am able. I'll follow up now and answer some of the questions.

Janet Deering - Posted - 05/07/2011:  14:02:40

Is there a particular reason why you use guitar tuners rather than standard banjo tuners (behind the headstock)?  I have not had any problems with mine but was wondering whether it saves money or if it's just a "Goodtime thing" so that they look different?

Also, with the black binding on the new Goodtimes you should think of going to black tuner-heads so they match the binding.  That would look very nice...

BTW, I am very pleased with the tone and playability of my new Goodtime Special.  They are just about perfect for campfire playing, practicing, and jamming with a few friends.  Congrats to you guys for another fine banjo!   The tone ring and 3-ply rim sound great! 

Yes, the reason is cost.  In order to keep the material cost down we use the guitar style tuners.  Good idea on black tuning buttons, we will look into that.

Thanks, I'm glad you are enjoying the tone and playability of your new Goodtime Special banjo.  All the best, Janet

Edited by - Janet Deering on 05/07/2011 14:04:25

Janet Deering - Posted - 05/07/2011:  14:10:31

Your desire to experiment is admirable, but you gotta realize that these necks under the additional tension of an A tuning don't warp; they just up and snap.  I don't know what the statistics are on the east coast, but almost every year, we lose banjo players whose A tuned necks snap off and hit them right between the eyes.  It's not pretty and you may be risking your family. It's an ugly way to go, what with the wood splinters and torn fret sticking in your eyeballs.  The open-back won't help you.. If I were you, I would get spikes and a capo right away, before you hurt somebody. 

Gomer,  I love your sense of humor! 

You give me the best laughs! 

hayesdt - Posted - 05/07/2011:  18:53:19

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gomer

If I were you, I would get spikes and a capo right away, before you hurt somebody.

---

 I already tried spikes and a capo ("pre-experiment").  But with my rapid-fire, "hot-shot playing," they both flew off simultaneously and hit me in the eye.

Edited by - hayesdt on 05/07/2011 19:06:13

Prewar3 - Posted - 05/07/2011:  19:33:28

Janet,  Did you sell that Calico you had at Merlefest with the beautiful engraving and gold plating?  Jim Mulford

EggSalad - Posted - 05/08/2011:  17:49:15

I've got my Deluxe sounding great right now. Owning a new banjo is great but playing in a new banjo and hearing the sound mature is really cool.

I'm also a card carrying deering owner now. Just got it in the mail. I should be getting VIP treatment all over the globe with this thing now.

Thanks Janet. You guys make a superb instrument.

erikforgod - Posted - 05/15/2011:  13:56:09

Hello Janet!

I am an american citizen living and working full time here in Argentina with my argentine wife. My father has recently passed and we are coming home for a visit to family and for the funeral. I had an old Silvertone banjo back when I was a kid but gave it up a while ago....now I am studying classical guitar here in Argentina, but have an interest in getting back into the banjo and learning clawhammer :)

After all my research ( and a call to a very friendly lady named Carolina at your factory...I have settled on a Deering Goodtime which I will be purchasing from Banjo.com in Marietta Ga when I come with mywife..

My question is....this area of Argentina where we live ( the pampas ) is very humid and damp, will I have issues with my banjo or anything due to the diff in humidity and climate between S Cal and South America.

Also I plan on bringing the banjo with me on the airplane as a carry on....any advice on traveling with my Goodtime...and precautionary measures I should take with it? Should a lower the string tension or take the strings and bridge off of it while we are traveling...I will be just using a gig bag probably.

Thanks for your time with this thread...I look forward to your comments :)

erikforgod - Posted - 05/20/2011:  08:46:43

Is Ms Deering still responding actively to this thread?

dpete210 - Posted - 05/20/2011:  09:04:11

quote:

---

Originally posted by erikforgod

Is Ms Deering still responding actively to this thread?

---

Erik, I'm certain the answer is yes but she did mention on the previous page that she would answer questions when she could.  Try an email directly to her by finding one of her posts and click on the envelope in the post box and an email window will pop up,  or try Carolina Bridges at Deering.  deeringbanjos.com/contact-us 

Edited by - dpete210 on 05/20/2011 09:06:20

erikforgod - Posted - 05/20/2011:  09:17:35

dpete210 - Good idea...thanks...I will try emailing her soon!

muskox - Posted - 05/27/2011:  00:36:15

Reading through this thread has made me happy to be a Deering player!

That said, I encountered something last week that baffled me.  I started a thread over in the building and setup department,  but it has come to naught.  Perhaps someone has some insight here.  My original post:

I was taking a long hard look at my playing stance yesterday, and realized I would be better served with moving my armrest over a hook.  It seemed like a no-brainer operation to me, but when I went to reattach, it became apparent that the notches in the armrest don't match up with the hooks in the new position.  Is there a reason why the hooks would be unevenly spaced?  Should I be alarmed?  The banjo in question is a Deering Deluxe.

justdrawinglines - Posted - 05/27/2011:  04:48:35

quote:

---

Originally posted by muskox

I was taking a long hard look at my playing stance yesterday, and realized I would be better served with moving my armrest over a hook.  It seemed like a no-brainer operation to me, but when I went to reattach, it became apparent that the notches in the armrest don't match up with the hooks in the new position.  Is there a reason why the hooks would be unevenly spaced?  Should I be alarmed?  The banjo in question is a Deering Deluxe.

 

---

I noticed the same thing a few weeks ago.  You can move it but it needs to go to the set of brackets after the thumb screw.  For whatever reason, the brackets at the thumbscrews are set at a different width.

Gomer - Posted - 05/27/2011:  21:53:30

quote:

---

Originally posted by muskox

I was taking a long hard look at my playing stance yesterday, and realized I would be better served with moving my armrest over a hook. 

 

Don't do that. . . . Really! 

justdrawinglines - Posted - 05/28/2011:  05:34:53

Gomer - why not?

roxygrl - Posted - 05/28/2011:  15:06:23

Bendy hook...scratchy head?

Gomer - Posted - 05/28/2011:  15:23:37

quote:

---

Originally posted by justdrawinglines



Gomer - why not?

---

 Well, you could have painted Mona Lisa with a giant grin or talked Marilyn Monroe into have her mole removed, but, it would just not be the same.  There is sacred geometry to angulation of the of the center of  the wrist rest that ought not to be messed around with by mortals. I don't care if you do it, but I am just warning everybody. Let's not discuss this any further.

justdrawinglines - Posted - 05/28/2011:  15:28:50

Didn't know you were so passionate about armrests, Gomer. My last words on this (feel free to stick your fingers in your ears and chant la-la-la now) are that some folks are built differently...

DeanT - Posted - 05/28/2011:  15:50:11

Sorry Gomer... but there is a reason armrests have a screw and back plate and are movable. Exhibit A: My own Deering Calico. I rest my case.

yumagah - Posted - 05/28/2011:  17:38:24

quote:

---

Originally posted by Janet Deering

Is there a particular reason why you use guitar tuners rather than standard banjo tuners (behind the headstock)?  I have not had any problems with mine but was wondering whether it saves money or if it's just a "Goodtime thing" so that they look different?

Also, with the black binding on the new Goodtimes you should think of going to black tuner-heads so they match the binding.  That would look very nice...

BTW, I am very pleased with the tone and playability of my new Goodtime Special.  They are just about perfect for campfire playing, practicing, and jamming with a few friends.  Congrats to you guys for another fine banjo!   The tone ring and 3-ply rim sound great! 

 

Yes, the reason is cost.  In order to keep the material cost down we use the guitar style tuners.  Good idea on black tuning buttons, we will look into that.

Thanks, I'm glad you are enjoying the tone and playability of your new Goodtime Special banjo.  All the best, Janet

 

---

   Replacing the guitar tuners with planetaries is a fairly easy and economical project.  I did mine after about a year and had no trouble.  The Golden Gate planetary tuners I used tended to slip a little more than the stock ones did.  So I recently added home-made leather washers to them, following an old post here on the forum for instrux.  The washers do help hold, and they add a nice retro look too.  It would also be easy to replace the white buttons with black ones, if one wanted.  The online music stores sell replacement buttons pretty cheap.  I added light-colored dots to the upper side of the neck on mine too. Another easy job.

 Someone on the forum once said that Goodtimes are like  the Volkswagon minibus of the banjo world: a simple machine that can easily be customized. 

BoneDigger - Posted - 05/28/2011:  18:28:10

Some pictures of my modified Goodtime Special, including new tuners, new armrest, etc...

banjohangout.org/myhangout/pho...?id=25526

Todd

Frontiersman101 - Posted - 05/28/2011:  21:39:48

Hello Janet. Sorry if anything I ask about in this post has been talked about before. There is no way I can read all 50 pages. Any who, I am saving up for my first banjo, and I am highly considering a Goodtime. I hear you can't beat the quality for the price. I will probably pickup a regular Goodtime, but I am also interested in the crow. What makes the crow cost moor? Is it beater quality than the normal Goodtime? Thanks!

capsholler - Posted - 05/28/2011:  21:58:24

quote:

---

Originally posted by Frontiersman101

Hello Janet. Sorry if anything I ask about in this post has been talked about before. There is no way I can read all 50 pages. Any who, I am saving up for my first banjo, and I am highly considering a Goodtime. I hear you can't beat the quality for the price. I will probably pickup a regular Goodtime, but I am also interested in the crow. What makes the crow cost moor? Is it beater quality than the normal Goodtime? Thanks!

---

I imagine Janet Deering is busy with the festival season; probably tending a Deering booth somewhere.  I don't think there is any difference in the quality of the Crow and the regular goodtime. I have played a Crow version and it looks the same to me other than minor cosmetic difference in the insignia on the headstock. I don't think you will be disappointed with a Goodtime and the quality. I own a Goodtime 2 and an openback Goodtime with an EZ resonator. I also have a newer Sierra with the pretty new inlays. Most of the time though I reach for the Goodtimes because they are light, handy and sound quite good. I am probably going to sell my Goodtime 2 someday and get a Goodtime Classic Special with the newer tone ring and stained finish. From what I have seen the quality of all Goodtimes is very consistent, So I would order one from a vendor that will pre spike it for you if you want spikes. I bought my openback and EZ resonater from banjo.com and they spiked it for me. Hope this helps.

Gomer - Posted - 05/29/2011:  11:42:26

quote:

---

Originally posted by 1four5



Sorry Gomer... but there is a reason armrests have a screw and back plate and are movable. Exhibit A: My own Deering Calico. I rest my case.

---

 Well Mr. Dean, it is a free country, but if somebody's armrest explodes and somebody or something gets hurt, it's on your shoulders, not mine.

muskox - Posted - 05/29/2011:  13:34:03

quote:

---

Originally posted by justdrawinglines

 

I noticed the same thing a few weeks ago.  You can move it but it needs to go to the set of brackets after the thumb screw.  For whatever reason, the brackets at the thumbscrews are set at a different width.

---

Thanks!  I was worried that the uneven spacing was somehow abnormal.

Gomer - Posted - 06/09/2011:  06:43:34

I keep hearing rumors about reshaping a tenbrooks neck to the Deering profile. Is there any truth to that, or is it just rank rumor?

erikforgod - Posted - 06/10/2011:  14:47:13

Anybody in The Atlanta Georgia area spike my goodtime for me so I can capo to "A" ?

erikforgod - Posted - 06/10/2011:  14:49:37

Ohh and by the way...I just ordered a Goodtime Crow banjo!! :) it should be here between the 16th and the 18th of nest week! WOOOO HOOOOOOO!!!!

dpete210 - Posted - 06/10/2011:  15:06:11

erik,  while you are waiting to find someone, here's a neat and simple capo you can make with a bic cap :  frets.com/FRETSPages/Musician/...capo.html

It is not that difficult to install spikes.  This might be helpful:

banjoist.tripod.com/spike.html

rminke - Posted - 06/10/2011:  15:29:19

Erik - For Banjo work {Spikes etc.} in the Atlanta area give Mark @ banjo. com a call if he can't do them for you he will direct you to some one who can.



And Gomer - now you got me really curious about the possible neck re-shape on the Tenbrooks??? I just ordered my new Saratoga Star Wednesday!!!  REM

erikforgod - Posted - 06/11/2011:  06:14:23

Hello dpete210 - Jut when I thought I had seen the limits of good ole "Yankee Enginuity" this one takes the cake....who wuoulda thunk !! I am gonna try it...thanks for your help!

dpete210 - Posted - 06/11/2011:  19:34:59

quote:

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Originally posted by erikforgod

Hello dpete210 - Jut when I thought I had seen the limits of good ole "Yankee Enginuity" this one takes the cake....who wuoulda thunk !! I am gonna try it...thanks for your help!

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As many folks say here in Minnesota,  ya, you betcha!  That bic pen 5th string capo is really a nifty trick and so easy to do, and it is a neat way to recycle part of an ink pen that has no more use after running out of ink.  Banjo players engaged in recycling.        When I first saw it I wondered about how effective it would be so I made a couple and was pleasantly surprised how well they work.  Best wishes with your Goodtime!  

erikforgod - Posted - 06/12/2011:  05:58:57

dpete..so instead of clamping the 5th string down to the fingerboard the string actually rests on top of the capoi...yechnically acting as a mini 5th string "nut" effectively raising the tome? I was looking at this and trying to figure out how it worked. Also it doesnt come loose from the vibrations of the 5 string when you are `picking it with your thumb?