mudlakesandy - Posted - 11/10/2011:  11:10:14

Careful what you wish for-Deering may just call your bluff- customer centric companies have a way of doing that.

-S

JedMarum - Posted - 11/16/2011:  20:21:28

I put a Kevlar head on my Goodtime today ... an armrest and a new bridge. Put it all back together and tuned it up to A. It sounds great! I love it! I used medium strings and tune it high, so it has plenty of punch and a nice bright sound.

iSteve - Posted - 11/16/2011:  21:09:29

quote:

---

Originally posted by JedMarum

I bought my first Goodtime, because I was in Boston for my Dad's funeral without an instrument - and I knew it would be required for the after-funeral party. I'd seen the Goodtime in the music stores and was impressed - so for $180 (this was a few years ago) I bought one.



I got my second Goodtime when I played a big Irish Festival in Dallas. I wanted to use banjos with two different tunings - and since I am a talker, I didn't want to make the audience wait while I retuned ... so I asked a Dallas area guitar shop if I could borrow one of his banjos for the weekend. I offered to wear his shirt for my shows (advertising). The festival drew 50,000 in those days - so he said sure. In fact, he said, if you wear my Tee Shirt all weekend, I'll GIVE you the banjo! It was a good deal. I liked the shirt and I loved the banjo, how could I go wrong?



Now I keep one standard G tuning with Nylon strings, tight head. And the other tuned to A, also with a very tight head. Both sound great. They're light and easy to carry. I am at the low end of the food chain in the music business and carry most of my gear myself - though festival often provide help ... so light weight and easy to carry is important. I've always got a guitar, CDs, etc ...



Anyway - that's why I play a Goodtime instead of Vega.

---

Great stories!

JedMarum - Posted - 11/17/2011:  11:04:27

Thanks Steve!

Man I am loving the sound of my banjo now. That Kevlar head and new bridge have made a world of difference. The old setup was good, crisp, bright - but this has that bright quality with some real depth. It's bright and beefy!

Janet Deering - Posted - 11/17/2011:  11:27:28

Quick question, Janet...

Has the Hartford model always come in a satin finish? Did John's personal Deering's have a satin finish?

Thanks,

Snap
----- All John's personal Deering banjos had a satin finish. John preferred that finish because it looks older, and more traditional.

snapjackson - Posted - 11/17/2011:  22:48:27

Thanks!

knownrider - Posted - 11/18/2011:  00:45:30

Janet,

I love my new Goodtime 2!  It sounds and plays great!  

What are the string gauges that ship on it from the factory?  I like the way it's set-up, and don't want to change a thing...

paulrobertwagner - Posted - 11/18/2011:  04:42:32

quote:

---

Originally posted by knownrider

What are the string gauges that ship on it from the factory?  I like the way it's set-up, and don't want to change a thing...

Janet, are the gauges the same on all Deerings, or are the Goodtimes and Tenbrooks different from the rest? -- Paul W.

darylearl - Posted - 11/18/2011:  14:02:08

I think Janet answered the string gauge question on page 55 of this thread.  10,11,13,21,10  on all Deerings.   My Calico came with 9.5 for the 1st and 5th but I went to 10's and I like it even better.              Daryl

JedMarum - Posted - 11/19/2011:  09:33:00

lighter then 10s are problematic. They sound frail (as in weak) and the bend way too easily so intonation becomes a challenge. I don;t use heavy guages, but medium guages sound best for my banjos (and guitars, for that matter) ... but I do put heavy strings on my banjola.

Gomer - Posted - 11/20/2011:  07:32:10

quote:

---

Originally posted by JedMarum

lighter then 10s are problematic. They sound frail (as in weak) and the bend way too easily so intonation becomes a challenge. I don;t use heavy guages, but medium guages sound best for my banjos (and guitars, for that matter) ... but I do put heavy strings on my banjola.

---

 Yes, this must be true. My errant use of 9.5 series of strings on my beloved Saratoga accounts for its haunting timbre that can punch through walls on demand.  Fingers on the frets should be like hands on you lover's face, gently stroking her brow, lightly touching her cheeks and then sweetly brushing across her lips. I have no intonation problems with the women or the banjos in my life, but I digress.

How'bout those stainless steel frets, Huh?!

mudlakesandy - Posted - 11/25/2011:  08:18:41

Gomer,

Does the Golden Era have SS frets?

Gomer - Posted - 12/01/2011:  06:48:53

Hi  Mr Mudlakes! None of the Deerings come stock with the SS frets and they are definitely da bomb. I was thinking about starting a movement called, say, Occupy Deering, to camp out in San Diego until they relent. The problem is that the factory is too far away from Hotel Row which is about the only place sown there I would be willing to camp out. They charged $85 bucks which is at the high end of the reasonable charge. I would heave been through another set of frets by now an account of my caveman-like playing style were it not for the SS.

mudlakesandy - Posted - 12/01/2011:  09:36:55

Thanks Gomer hear you on the caveman style of playing- those flints tied to my fingers are a bit difficult to get off, fortunately Mike's banjo mute softens the blast. So it sounds like you popped for the frets and skipped the hotel room........................................
-S

GrizClaw - Posted - 12/01/2011:  10:25:51

quote:Jed Marum....you shouldn't be paying for any of your Goodtimes.....Deering should be supplying them.

When people trash them on BHO I always try to put my two cents in, but I'm a novice. When people hear you play it becomes obvious that you don't need to spend thousands of dollars for a banjo to sound good and be playable. I know construction and construction materials so I can vouch for how they are made. You're an awesome player so that speaks for itself. Mean Mary is another musician that people should hear play her Goodtime....she makes it sound as good as any "high end" banjo I've heard. Don't get me wrong.....if someone wants to spend thousands on a banjo that's great and there are some beauties to be had......but it irks me when advice givers make new players feel unworthy if they don't spend their life savings on their banjos when they are starting out.

---

Originally posted by JedMarum

I bought my first Goodtime, because I was in Boston for my Dad's funeral without an instrument - and I knew it would be required for the after-funeral party. I'd seen the Goodtime in the music stores and was impressed - so for $180 (this was a few years ago) I bought one.



I got my second Goodtime when I played a big Irish Festival in Dallas. I wanted to use banjos with two different tunings - and since I am a talker, I didn't want to make the audience wait while I retuned ... so I asked a Dallas area guitar shop if I could borrow one of his banjos for the weekend. I offered to wear his shirt for my shows (advertising). The festival drew 50,000 in those days - so he said sure. In fact, he said, if you wear my Tee Shirt all weekend, I'll GIVE you the banjo! It was a good deal. I liked the shirt and I loved the banjo, how could I go wrong?



Now I keep one standard G tuning with Nylon strings, tight head. And the other tuned to A, also with a very tight head. Both sound great. They're light and easy to carry. I am at the low end of the food chain in the music business and carry most of my gear myself - though festival often provide help ... so light weight and easy to carry is important. I've always got a guitar, CDs, etc ...



Anyway - that's why I play a Goodtime instead of Vega.

---

Gomer - Posted - 12/02/2011:  06:45:04

quote:

---

Originally posted by mudlakesandy

Thanks Gomer hear you on the caveman style of playing- those flints tied to my fingers are a bit difficult to get off, fortunately Mike's banjo mute softens the blast. So it sounds like you popped for the frets and skipped the hotel room........................................

-S

---

 Yes, I recently gave myself an award for being a great guy and wonderful dad. The vote had been unanimous, so I had to find something special to award myself. I knew that I would not be embarrassed to receive a Saratoga Tenbrooks so I had one made put together withSS   frets and the radiused neck. You should have seen the look on my face when I got the award. It was a very tender moment to be recognized for my work.

Edited by - Gomer on 12/02/2011 06:46:45

yumagah - Posted - 12/02/2011:  07:42:24

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gomer

quote:

---

 Yes, this must be true. My errant use of 9.5 series of strings on my beloved Saratoga accounts for its haunting timbre that can punch through walls on demand.  Fingers on the frets should be like hands on you lover's face, gently stroking her brow, lightly touching her cheeks and then sweetly brushing across her lips. I have no intonation problems with the women or the banjos in my life, but I digress.

How'bout those stainless steel frets, Huh?!

---

   Hey!  There are children who read the posts here and this is very inappropriate.  I am going to report this to Eric and he will remove it pronto.  I bet you even take off your tone ring when the wife is away.

erikforgod - Posted - 12/02/2011:  07:51:44

quote:

---

Originally posted by yumagah

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gomer

quote:

---

 Yes, this must be true. My errant use of 9.5 series of strings on my beloved Saratoga accounts for its haunting timbre that can punch through walls on demand.  Fingers on the frets should be like hands on you lover's face, gently stroking her brow, lightly touching her cheeks and then sweetly brushing across her lips. I have no intonation problems with the women or the banjos in my life, but I digress.

How'bout those stainless steel frets, Huh?!

---

   Hey!  There are children who read the posts here and this is very inappropriate.  I am going to report this to Eric and he will remove it pronto.  I bet you even take off your tone ring when the wife is away.

---

I dont see whats so inappropriate about Gomer comparing the beauty of a womans face with his favorite banjo? I think you may be mis reading into Gomers comment a bit Yumagah. I do agree inappropriate comments cant and shouldnt be tolerated...by I dont see what your seeing or reading in his comment?

bkdraft - Posted - 12/02/2011:  09:45:32

Do all Deering have the 1 1/4" nut? Looks like the ones I have seen on the website show this, but wondering if they all are this way. Looking to buy one, used would be great, but with fat fingers I need the wider width.

erikforgod - Posted - 12/02/2011:  10:46:35

quote:

---

Originally posted by bkdraft

Do all Deering have the 1 1/4" nut? Looks like the ones I have seen on the website show this, but wondering if they all are this way. Looking to buy one, used would be great, but with fat fingers I need the wider width.

---

If you check on Deerings website, under each banjo there are the specs for the nut widths of all their banjos.

GrizClaw - Posted - 12/02/2011:  10:48:51

There is a Deering Little Wonder(1999?) in the classified. I noticed that it has guitar tuners......when did Deering switch to planetary tuners on this model?

dpete210 - Posted - 12/02/2011:  19:38:38

bkdraft, check out the Deering web page and also their on line catalog.  deeringbanjos.com/

You'll likely find out all you need to know and more.  

Janet Deering - Posted - 12/03/2011:  15:19:23

Janet, are the gauges the same on all Deerings, or are the Goodtimes and Tenbrooks different from the rest? -- Paul W.

Things are in a state of constant improvement around here. So, I did an update check on the gauges we are now using.  

Deering, Vega and Goodtime most banjos are strung with 10, 11, 13, 21W, 10

Tenbrooks banjos are strung with 11, 12, 13, 22W, 11

Terry Baucom banjos are strung with 11, 11, 13, 20W, 11

Drop Kick Murphy Tenor banjos are strung with 30W, 24W, 15, 10 for their special tuning

6-string Banjos have Elixir strings with 10, 14, 23, 30W, 39W, 47W

Plectrum models we string with 10, 12, 16, 24W

Tenor models we string with 10, 16, 24W, 28W

In October we began using Dunlop Strings because they are more resilient.

When a Dunlap string is stretched it returns to the original note better than other strings.

We are always working toward constant improvement.

Edited by - Janet Deering on 12/03/2011 15:21:27

erikforgod - Posted - 12/06/2011:  05:04:03

My new scooped neck Goodtime classic banjo will be ready soon and Cynthia from Elderly has notified me that all of Santas wonderful little helpers over at Deering in Calif have decided to "dropship" my new banjo directly from Deering to mamas house in time for me to fly in from Argentina to claim my new prize this Christmas.

I guess I have been a good boy this year after all!



Thanks to Janet and Greg and everyone over at Deering!!

I would say between finding out that my wife and I will be expecting our first child August of next year and my new banjo...I feel like a very blessed man this Christmas season...lots to be thankful for :)

Edited by - erikforgod on 12/06/2011 05:05:14

bkdraft - Posted - 12/06/2011:  05:10:04

I have decided to by a Sierra, gota  a couple located and working on deals on them.

GrizClaw - Posted - 12/06/2011:  08:24:49

quote:Super congrats Eric..............!

---

Originally posted by erikforgod

My new scooped neck Goodtime classic banjo will be ready soon and Cynthia from Elderly has notified me that all of Santas wonderful little helpers over at Deering in Calif have decided to "dropship" my new banjo directly from Deering to mamas house in time for me to fly in from Argentina to claim my new prize this Christmas.

I guess I have been a good boy this year after all!



Thanks to Janet and Greg and everyone over at Deering!!

I would say between finding out that my wife and I will be expecting our first child August of next year and my new banjo...I feel like a very blessed man this Christmas season...lots to be thankful for :)

---

mudlakesandy - Posted - 12/06/2011:  16:38:47

bk,

You will be very pleased with the Sierra- have the maple version- super in all ways. Quality build, good sound etc etc etc.....................
-S

MoeBanjo - Posted - 12/06/2011:  17:23:24

My wife and I are very happy with the maple Sierra. We, and many others, believe the Sierra is Deering's best bang for the buck.

erikforgod - Posted - 12/07/2011:  03:46:39

Thanks Dexter!! hopefully a future budding fiddle player ( that will like to play alongside daddy ) who knows?

bkdraft - Posted - 12/07/2011:  05:07:59

No banjo dealers anywhere close to me, so I have to rely on the good people here for advice. I stated I had settled on the Sierra, but......when I start looking I have found some older model Deluxe and Maple Blossums that I can buy for about the same as the current production Sierra. Any thoughts about this option? Has there been any major changes from the older models to the newer ones? Sorry to ask so many questions, but want to make sure I get the best for the money.

Thanks for any suggestions.

James

mudlakesandy - Posted - 12/07/2011:  08:40:46

Can't help on the Deluxe or the Maple Blossom. But purchased a 2003 Golden Era from another BHO member and it is super as well, deeper sound than the Sierra- but flawless construction just the same. So am spoiled with a GE, Sierra, Boston- all excellent, and all very different from each other. Deering puts out a consistent quality product regardless of the price point.
-S

dpete210 - Posted - 12/07/2011:  08:40:52

quote:

---

Originally posted by bkdraft

No banjo dealers anywhere close to me, so I have to rely on the good people here for advice. I stated I had settled on the Sierra, but......when I start looking I have found some older model Deluxe and Maple Blossums that I can buy for about the same as the current production Sierra. Any thoughts about this option? Has there been any major changes from the older models to the newer ones? Sorry to ask so many questions, but want to make sure I get the best for the money.

Thanks for any suggestions.

James

 

---

James,  I have older models of the Deluxe (1981) and a Maple Blossom (1988) and while both banjos sound great when properly set up, there is no question that my preference is the Maple Blossom.  To me the Deluxe and Sierra are very close to the same banjo  (assuming they are both of the same wood, for example  mahogany) except that the Deluxe used to have a little more embellishment in the inlay, etc.  Whether or not that can be said for the recent changes to those models, I do not know.   The Maple Blossom is just one very fine banjo.  While I can not tell you what your ears will like best, based on the Deluxe and Maple Blossom I have, if I were to choose between the two, I'd definitely go with the Maple Blossom.   Having said that, I do not mean to infer that the Deluxe or Sierra are inferior.  They are different and my ears prefer the Maple Blossom.  If I only had the Deluxe, I would be happy playing it because it is a good sounding banjo.  My preference also comes after having played a good deal of banjos since I started to learn the banjo a few years ago. Keep in mind I am stating my preference, and that may not turn out to be yours.

With regard to recent model changes, both the Sierra and Deluxe inlays are different from their older counterpart, and in my opinion a major improvement in the looks category. They would also have the 06 tone ring that the older models would not have.  I have not yet  had a chance to play the new tone ring in any of the 3 models:  Sierra, Deluxe, Maple Blossom.   While I've never read where anyone has said the 06 tone ring was a step backward, I have read where some prefer the old ring.  It just boils down to what one's ears prefer.  I think the old ring is a very good ring.  The only way you will know what you prefer is to play them or listen to sound samples.  You can find samples of various Deering models on youtube.   youtube.com     Do a search for the model you'd like to listen to and you'll find examples.  Try to distinguish whether the clip is of the previous tone ring or the 06 ring.  In some instances this will be mentioned.  If not, a big clue for the Sierra and Deluxe would be the inlay.  The old Sierra had dot inlays and the old Deluxe had diamond inlays.     

Personally, choosing between a new 06 ring Sierra and a old ring Maple Blossom without playing each would be a challenge for me, especially since I've not played an 06 ring.  But the good news is you win despite which you choose. The hard part is finding out which sound you like best, and that will only come from having the different banjos in your hands and listening and feeling how they play.   Have fun and good luck deciding!

Pete 

bkdraft - Posted - 12/07/2011:  09:30:09

Pete, thanks for the reply. I will most likely go with the best deal I can find and be happy with that. I dont think I could go wrong with the Sierra, Deluxe or Maple Blossum, whichever one I end up with.

James

DeanT - Posted - 12/07/2011:  09:53:07

I've only played the 06 ring in the music shop with the music shop set-up, but so far I haven't played one I would trade my pre-06 ring for.

erikforgod - Posted - 12/08/2011:  11:08:11

Ok another shout out to Janet and Greg and all of santas helpers over at DEERING BANJO COMPANY!



I just made the final payment on the balance on my new Classic Goodtime Scooped neck banjo, and in order to have it in time for Christmas ( my wife and I are flying in from Argentina to spend christmas with mom ) Deering has offered to drop ship my banjo directly to my moms house to have it in time for Christmas!

Cynthia explained to me a little bit regarding some of the setbacks that Deering had experienced this fall with the classic goodtime line in particular ( vendor issues etc... but still Deering rose to the challenge and have once again made another very happy former ( and now returning ) customer very happy!



Kudos to a great american banjo maker, company and business model...keep up the good work Janet and crew...!!

Edited by - erikforgod on 12/08/2011 11:09:59

yumagah - Posted - 12/08/2011:  11:14:29

I would guess this question has been asked before, but I'm not having luck querying the archives for it. Can someone, maybe Janet, tell me the year that the original Goodtime banjo first came to market? If anyone knows the years for the II, Classic and Special introduced I'm curious about those also.

Thanks

peewee - Posted - 12/08/2011:  16:09:53

Hey Janet can you tell me what material your company uses for Nut material and why its used vs others? Also can you tell me why a RR spike is used for the nut on the 5th string instead of a bone nut? thanks

Banjo Studio - Posted - 12/08/2011:  20:09:50

There's a new Deering Premier Dealer in town.... the Banjo Studio

Contact us info@banjostudio.com



banjostudio.com

RN Mike - Posted - 12/09/2011:  03:52:26

Hi Janet, just a quick question. I have a Goodtime Special, and needless to say, it doesn't have the side dots on the neck. I just can't bring myself to take a permanent marker to my own little pride and joy, so if I brought it down to the factory, can your guys do it the right way for me? Yes I am lucky enough to live in San Diego, so stopping by would be easy and fun. I'd probably have you install some railroad spikes for me at the same time.
Thanks in advance for your time, and thanks for such a great banjo. I'm a newbie, and I'm having a blast!

peewee - Posted - 12/09/2011:  06:14:30

quote:

---

Originally posted by RN Mike

Hi Janet, just a quick question. I have a Goodtime Special, and needless to say, it doesn't have the side dots on the neck. I just can't bring myself to take a permanent marker to my own little pride and joy, so if I brought it down to the factory, can your guys do it the right way for me? Yes I am lucky enough to live in San Diego, so stopping by would be easy and fun. I'd probably have you install some railroad spikes for me at the same time.

Thanks in advance for your time, and thanks for such a great banjo. I'm a newbie, and I'm having a blast!

---

Seriously? Why waste the money on a Goodtime? Great starter banjo, easy to work on yourself, good banjo to learn Luthier skills on. Order the material for 5 bucks at StewMac, drill a few small holes, insert material, glue, cut off excess with razor blade, Done!  Really easy, takes maybe an hour of your time, and looks professional.  Many have used this method before you with their Goodtimes. Having Deering do it will cost more than the Banjo is worth.  Labor is high in Cali.

Searching YouTube will find you Many videos on how to do Dots & Spikes.. Its really easy.

On the other hand if your looking for an excuse to visit the Deering Factory, then go for it, as the tour is pretty cool

Edited by - peewee on 12/09/2011 06:20:20

MoeBanjo - Posted - 12/09/2011:  07:23:44

You can also do the tuners yourself for a lot less.

ebay.com/itm/Banjo-Tuners-Nick...807948240

Unless Deering puts the 1/4" guitar tuners in with 3/8" bushings, you'll need to drill the holes out.

Edited by - MoeBanjo on 12/09/2011 07:26:58

bkdraft - Posted - 12/10/2011:  06:23:53

Whoo Hoo, just bought a 2000 Maple Blossom, looks to be very good condition on one owner. Cant wait to get it here. 

yumagah - Posted - 12/10/2011:  12:16:30

After a little online research, it looks like the Goodtime first came out in 1997, and the Goodtime II in '99 or 2000. Someone elsewhere on BHO had suggested 1985, which sounded way too early to me. I think the Classic and Special varieties came out around 2005 or so?

erikforgod - Posted - 12/10/2011:  13:45:41

quote:

---

Originally posted by MoeBanjo

You can also do the tuners yourself for a lot less.

ebay.com/itm/Banjo-Tuners-Nick...807948240

 

Unless Deering puts the 1/4" guitar tuners in with 3/8" bushings, you'll need to drill the holes out.

---

Unless if its a "gumby" goodtime you wont need to drill out the holes...Carolina already told me that the holes are drilled already to acomodate a 3/8 size so Waverlys or 5-stars planetary tuners are good to go...no alterations or drilling necessary.

MoeBanjo - Posted - 12/10/2011:  14:35:09

It makes sense on the new headstocks they'd drill them all to 3/8" and bush the ones getting the guitar tuners. I think we're going to get my wife  a Goodtime Parlor Open Back as a backup and do these upgrades to it.

DeanT - Posted - 12/10/2011:  18:59:43

The guitar tuners Deering uses now are 3/8"

MoeBanjo - Posted - 12/10/2011:  19:28:40

Continuous product improvement!  

erikforgod - Posted - 12/10/2011:  21:15:52

quote:

---

Originally posted by MoeBanjo

Continuous product improvement!  

---

Janet Deering - Posted - 12/12/2011:  14:00:19

Thanks, Eric.  Your Goodtime Classic banjo with the scooped fingerboard is shipping to your mom's house today.  We wish you safe travels and a very Merry Christmas!