Janet Deering - Posted - 12/12/2011:  15:03:01

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!

I'm glad you are having a blast playing the banjo.  It is fun.  You can bring your banjo in for spikes. The best days are Tuesday or Wednesday. We might be able to do it while you wait, depending on how busy we are at the time, or you may need to leave it so we can fit it in.

We are not retrofitting side dots in Goodtime banjos.  It would be cost prohibitive and you would definitely have to leave it with us to fit it in when we can. There would be the labor of  taking the banjo apart, putting in the dots, and then if any refinish is needed that would add to the cost as well. There have been lots of other great suggestions here on the Hangout.

erikforgod - Posted - 12/12/2011:  15:33:38

quote:

---

Originally posted by Janet Deering

 

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

 

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!

---

Thanks Janet!! you guys are the best. You Greg and all of santas little helpers over at Deering have made one already very satisfied Deering customer just that much more satisfied.  I just hope my Goodtime Crow doesnt get jealous over the new addition to our family this Christmas ( sibling rivalry can be pretty tough!! )

This week I started with Mike Iversons tab version of "SoldiersJoy" in double "C" tuning so I cant wait to give my new scooped neck classic a whirl!!! ( mom said she is putting the banjo under the tree for when my wife and I fly in next week from Argentina ( I am 38 years old but I feel like a kid during christmas again!! I will have to post some pics here when it comes!

By the way Janet.....havent you guys built like 90,000 Goodtimes since the line was launched? I seem to remember your sharing that here with us one day on this thread and saying that.

Edited by - erikforgod on 12/12/2011 15:44:01

erikforgod - Posted - 12/13/2011:  16:41:55

For any of you who are interested in learning a bit about Deering Maple rims...this came in my email today...I love the rims on these banjos!



For many years, it was commonly believed that “the harder the rim, the better the banjo’s tone.” Virtually all banjo makers, including Deering, made rims of the hard, eastern, sugar maple. While virtually every other banjo maker still clings to the “harder is better” philosophy and is still using commercially available rock maple rims, we developed a rim made of the same maple that is used in the sides and backs of the finest violins.



This “violin maple” creates a much fuller, richer tone. The hard maple rims, compared to the violin maple, sound thinner, and a bit nasal… like a singer pinching her nose a little.



Greg Deering liked this new rim so much, he completely re-tooled our Goodtime shop to make three ply “violin maple” rims for our Goodtime banjos. The difference was nothing short of wonderful. While most import banjos have soft aluminum rims, or porous, soft wood rims with maple veneers on the sides, the Goodtime banjo is the only entry level banjo available with a true three ply maple rim. The soft wood, import banjo rims, cannot resonate because the soft wood absorbs vibration. These banjos sound muffled. The soft aluminum rims cannot vibrate with any brilliance because the soft aluminum tends is not hard enough to enhance any higher frequencies.



Many industries have “traditions” and “folklore” that perpetuate ideas that do not fit facts. The “all or nothing” thinking that permeates the banjo world about “harder is better” or “heavier is better” etc, do not explain why banjos work the way they do.



The stiffer, harder rock maple can’t vibrate as freely as the “violin maple”. This makes banjos sound bright, but thinner. The soft imported rims don’t have enough structural rigidity or density to create any brightness or note distinction or clarity. The “violin maple” strikes a beautiful balance of brightness and warmth. It’s density creates a responsive banjo that comes alive under the player’s fingers.

Edited by - erikforgod on 12/13/2011 16:43:13

bkdraft - Posted - 12/14/2011:  16:46:45

My 2000 Maple Blossom arrived today, two days earlier than expected. All I can say is WOW!!! So much easier to play than my old Lotus and sounds so much better. I agree now with what I had read earlier on Banjo Hangout that a good banjo is easier to play. 

mudlakesandy - Posted - 12/15/2011:  22:47:14

Followed Janet's advise on travelling with Boston- put the Boston in a gig bag and packed my clothes in the hard case. Hard case was handled through oversize baggage normally checked and can report at least on Delta A330 and B777 the Boston in gig bag fits fine in the overhead bins without issues. The trip was from Seattle- Tokyo and transfer to Singapore. Ironically the hard shell case came through all looking like new! One can only imagine if the banjo was in it....................................
-S

bkdraft - Posted - 12/16/2011:  19:13:14

My Maple Bossom has what we believe to be a Shubb bridge. I want to try a 11/16" bridge on it. Any suggestions on which one would be the best?

peewee - Posted - 12/16/2011:  19:30:49

quote:

---

Originally posted by bkdraft

My Maple Bossom has what we believe to be a Shubb bridge. I want to try a 11/16" bridge on it. Any suggestions on which one would be the best?

---

My favorite bridges are by KatEyz.  Get the Prowler peg top.  Call Mike the owner and tell him what you want for sound, heght, and string spacing.  If you tell him your not sure of which weight you want, ask if he will send you an assortment to try starting with a 2.0, 2.2, 2.4 ounce bridge.  He will let you try them all out, then pay for the one you want and send the rest back.

I have a Calico and have had a maple blossom in the past.

bkdraft - Posted - 12/16/2011:  19:42:00

I will contact him and see what he says.

Thanks,

James

erikforgod - Posted - 12/24/2011:  04:46:46

Ok guys ( and Janet ) I have my new Goodtime Classic scooped neck open back and I can say the Banjo is spotless and beautiful! The planets tune really great and the stain on the rim and neck is really nice. I have a question just out of curiosity for Janet: "It seems that the tnesion hoop and the bracket hooks are "heavier" on my new classic than on my "Crow" ...is this some changes that are going to be implemented on the Goodtime line now? It just seems like a heavier tension hoop and hooks....just a little bit though...but I noticed the difference...and my classic feels a little bit heavier also. I also believe that this banjo has a fuller tone than my Crow also.....can you shed any light on this Janet? just curious...

Thanks to Santas helpers at Deering...!! and to all a Merry Christmas!

Edited by - erikforgod on 12/24/2011 04:48:28

Grip - Posted - 12/24/2011:  16:33:48

Hi Janet:
I am a newbie who recently purchased you Goodtime 2 Grand Ole Opry Model, the one with the big Opry logo on the resonator's back.
As they are hand-signed by both yourself & Greg (Mine is #0184), I was curious how many of the limited-edition beauties were made.
I truly love my new Deering & I wish you & Greg a bright New Year ahead with continued success!

erikforgod - Posted - 12/25/2011:  04:44:52

Hello Janet and Greg "Merry Christmas"
Janet I have a question about my new Classic Scooped Neck Goodtime. The 4th string ("D") is buzzing really bad on the second third and fourth frets and I am getting a dead or almost a sitar like buzzing sound. I have sighted the neck and I know there is nothing wrong with it. Could the neck angle be a bit to low? Do I need to raise it? You guys shipped it to Florida from Cali and Thursday it has to go to Argentina with me this Thursday?
What do I need to do and should I wait until I get to Argentina before I adjust anything?

Thanks!

Janet Deering - Posted - 12/30/2011:  19:02:15

Yes, wait until you get to Argentina before you make any adjustment other than tightening the head a bit. You can read the instructions for how to adjust your banjo on our website under Support. Have a Happy New Year.

peewee - Posted - 12/31/2011:  06:55:58

Hi Janet, I have asked this question several times here and still no response... Can you please tell me what material was used for Deering Nuts back in 2003 specifically on the Calico?  Also what is the reasoning behind using a RR spike for the 5th string nut vs a bone nut? Thanks

Edited by - peewee on 12/31/2011 06:57:56

RUSTYSTILL - Posted - 12/31/2011:  11:47:55

OK, I love my Calico. That being said, when I brought it home I noticed the interior compartment lid of the Deering case that came with it didn’t close properly. More careful inspection showed that the hinged part under the lining wasn’t glued properly (or at all) resulting in manual adjustment (fidgiting) each time it needed to be opened and closed. OK I thought, it’s a really nice looking case otherwise so I’ve put up with this little inconvenience.



About a year later, one day when closing the case and fastening up the clasps, one of the clasps just came apart. The fastening loop part of the clasp is just held on by 4 little tabs. If they weren’t factory bent at the proper angle to hold the clasp together prior to assembly on the case and/or because these tabs are fairly flimsy thin metal, even minor normal use stress could result in these coming apart. To fix this you must separate the lining from case body to access backside of the clasp to remove it to fix or replace it. OK (I though again), I can do this and can live with this until I have time to fix it (I haven’t yet).



Last night after a rehearsal I was bringing my calico from my vehicle to the house when the neck part of the case suddenly dropped down almost hitting the ground. Luckily nothing did hit the ground and immediately I noticed that one side of the handle had given away. This happened right before my back door so I set the case down, opened the door and picked up on the still attached part of the handle to inspect it. That other side just came off in my hands. There was a metal band inside the handle which had broken and that the stitching on the ends of the handle had given way. Wow, I thought, lucky it happened here and that the banjo case didn’t fall on the ground (which it certainly could have had this happened under other circumstances) damaging my beautiful Calico.



I’ve had lots of cases over the years on many different instruments and have only had two other problems. The original hard-shell case that came with my 1973 Martin D28 when I bought it new, after 10 YEARS of hauling it through all kinds of conditions finally warped beyond function. Never had a clasp problem. It’s replacement, now outfitted with duct tape over worn finish portions had an older style keyed main clasp with a spring loaded slide tab that fit into a spring loaded tab with a loop on one face. The loop eventually broke from about 15 years of repeated openings and closings so I opened the lining and riveted a new clasp in it’s place. That case is still going strong after 20 years. Other cases I've had have also been transported many times to jams, rehearsals and gigs without problems.



So what’s with my Calico case? The Calico is a heavy banjo and when I first brought it home I thought the handle a pretty flimsy looking design to stand up to the stress of this weight over time. I suspected it would fail, and it did. OK, if this were the only problem I might be able to live with it but this case has not had comparatively much travel time and I’ve had it for only 2 years. This is strike 3 for this case. Is mine just an accidentally poor piece of craftsmanship,perhaps a poor run, or have others experienced similar problems? Is there any possibility of this being covered under warranty?



Jim

 

Edited by - RUSTYSTILL on 12/31/2011 11:51:38

peewee - Posted - 12/31/2011:  12:03:09

Hi Jim, your not the only one with a bad handle on a Deering case.. I had a Maple Blossom a few yrs ago and when the handle let go and the front of my case hit the ground the neck went Crack.. Yes cracked neck damage, but alas since I purchased it used no warranty coverage.  I fixed the case with a new handle, sold it, and got a Price case.

RUSTYSTILL - Posted - 12/31/2011:  14:44:34

Hi Peewee,
I checked out the Price cases but $650 seems a tad proud for a case, especially when I can get a nice long lasting guitar case for a couple hundred. I did like the picture of the 10 40lb bags of salt pellets on top of the case but when my spouse saw the picture, she (in all her practical wisdom) asked,"yes, but can they hang that salt from the handle and if that one drops will it protect the neck or resonator inside from the shock?" Jim

DeanT - Posted - 12/31/2011:  14:45:57

The handle on my Calico's case broke too. I was lucky and it happened as I picked it up, so it only slammed down a couple inches. I jerry rigged mine with metal rod, safety wire, and covered with duct tape. One of these day's I need to get a new handle.

Gomer - Posted - 12/31/2011:  17:05:44

Actually, the dissolving handle attachment has been in use for quite some time except that it was normally used only on left-handed cases. It was said that it kept you on your toes and always remembering the great moment of owning a Calico. It was considered a metaphor, reminding the owner to always appreciate the privilege and obligation of owning one. I guess the feature grew into and fell out of favor over the years only to be suddenly revived without any publicity. I know that the Calico case is set up on the front loop whereas the Tenbrooks is set up on the rear loop. I paid much extra for the feature and sometimes cradle it in my arms rather than have the case "report" as it is called.

Janet Deering - Posted - 12/31/2011:  17:48:10

We did have a run of cases a few years ago that had quality problems show up with the handle attachment later. Give us a call and we will take care of it. Call Carolina at 800 845-7791 and explain what happened. Tell her I told you to call and we will help you out with this problem under warranty. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Janet Deering - Posted - 12/31/2011:  18:04:34

I have no idea how many Grand Ole Opry Goodtime banjos we made but I will look it up and let you know next week.

In 2003 we were installing bone nuts, as we still do today on our Calico banjos. We install the fifth string spike instead of a nut because it uses the fifth fret this way to provide a more accurate length for the string to maintain the accuracy of the notes.

Janet Deering - Posted - 12/31/2011:  18:08:46

Gomer,
Maybe if I sleep on what you wrote about your case handles I might figure it out next year!

I love your sense of humor!

Edited by - Janet Deering on 12/31/2011 18:12:46

paulrobertwagner - Posted - 12/31/2011:  19:53:14

The cherry topping on my Christmas week is the new personalized and embossed Deering gold card I just received in the mail.  Thank you, Janet -- and Happy New Year!

erikforgod - Posted - 01/01/2012:  05:53:16

Happy New Years to you too Janet. Janet I am in Argentina now and have my new classic Godotime scooped neck banjo outside of the case letting it climatize a bit. I noticed before I left sighting down the neck a bit from the tailpiece that the neck looks like gravy but I saw the bridge sagging a bit on the side where the "D" string is buzzing. It could be that I need to give just a quarter turn on the tension hooks on that side and that would bring the bridge up to level probably right? I saw the maintenance manual...dont want to mess with the co-rods if I dont have too....the head already feels pretty tight though...its tighter than the head on my Crow.
I also noticed this banjo has a heavier tension hoop as well than on my Crow.

RUSTYSTILL - Posted - 01/01/2012:  21:14:08

Thanks, Janet and Happy New Year.  You guys make great banjos and have a great company.

Jim

erikforgod - Posted - 01/02/2012:  04:38:01

Hello Janet - I have had the scooped neck classic here with me in Argentina for 3 days now. Its full blown summer and in the upper 80s low 90s and humid. I have strung up the banjo with D Addarios J-60+ ( 9.5/ .011 / .013 / .020 / 9.5 and it seems like maybe its a tad better but still buzzing quite a bit on the inside 3rd ( G string ) and 4th ( bass D string ) the buzzing is worse from about the 4th or 5th fret to the 7th. It mainly is when I hammer on or slide...I get a flat dead sound or a sitar like sound when I slide...especially on the 4th string....other than that the banjo sounds great. The action to my eyes looks lower than my Crow ( which has absolutely no buzzing )

I have inquired about turning the nut in the co-rod maybe a quarter of a turn but many of my banjo peers here ( and Deering owners ) are discouraging me against fooling with the co-rod. They are instead recommending that I tighten the head first and if that fails go for a slightly taller bridge. I have tightened the head slightly just a few days ago, giving a quarter turn all the way around the head and the head seems pretty tight but the problem remains. The guys are telling me I risk distorting or egging the rim with the added stress and recommend I go with a taller bridge. I have been reading the maintenance manuals regarding co-rod adjustments. You guys build these banjos...what can you recommend for me? I am new at the whole banjo adjustment thing...and their are no luthiers in this area where I live....and definately none that have experience with banjos. I would appreciate any feedback and advice.



Thanks!

Edited by - erikforgod on 01/02/2012 04:42:51

erikforgod - Posted - 01/02/2012:  17:11:29

My new Goodtime...you can hear some of the buzzing in the video.

VIDEO: New Goodtime Classic Scooped Neck Banjo (click to view)

Janet Deering - Posted - 01/02/2012:  19:33:42

Go ahead and adjust the coordinator rod as long as the head is as tight as you want it. If you change your mind you can always put it back the way it was. You have nothing to loose.

Usually I tighten heads a full turn after they arrive following shipment. So be sure the head is properly tight and then adjust the rod.

Forrest - Posted - 01/02/2012:  20:05:51

Does anyone own a Deering Golden Wreath?  I'm interested in opinions.  They are exceptionally good sounding banjos judging from the videos I've recently watched.

erikforgod - Posted - 01/03/2012:  03:56:07

Ok thanks!

erikforgod - Posted - 01/03/2012:  12:01:13

Just for the record: I ABSOLUTELY LOVE this new banjo and I really enjoy the scoop! I also think it has a bit more "oomph" than my Crow...even though I love my Crow as well! The brown stain is really attractive and I think I really like the planetarys too. I am thinking about customizing this one a bit as well with a renaissance head and a custom bridge :)

erikforgod - Posted - 01/04/2012:  04:56:26

Ok this Saturday I am taking my new Goodtime to my father-in-laws house to tighten the nut inside the rim tailpiece end 1/2 turn and see if that lifts the neck up just enough to take care of that buzzing. I have gotten some great help from you Janet and some of the other Deering friends here on the BHO....its like being part of a "click" or a family here..... I have a running thread on this for anyone else in the future that comes across this will know how to quickly adjust this if it comes up. The strings just need to come up a hair...not much so I am thinking a quarter or a half a turn. The head is nice and tight and everything else seems a go.

I have already made several recordings with this banjo and even with the minor buzzes its turning some heads with its looks and sound by some of the comments I am getting. I really like the scooped feature too...its real comfortable and I like the way it sounds and feels.



Janet I had another minor question: "It seems the tension hoop on my classic is a little thicker and heavier than the one on my Crow. Is this a new hoop you guys are making for these banjos or is it because I have a classic model now and not another regular Goodtime? Just curious...

Here is another brief clip with my new scooped classic Goodtime playing "Old Joe Clarke" I think a scooped Goodtime is the way to go now...an already awesome banjo just sounding even better scooped!

Edited by - erikforgod on 01/04/2012 05:09:57

VIDEO: old joe clarke II (click to view)

Janet Deering - Posted - 01/04/2012:  08:38:05

You have the new thicker tension hoop available on all the new Classic Goodtime banjos.

erikforgod - Posted - 01/04/2012:  08:45:45

very cool....its really nice...adds just a tad bit of weight to the banjo but not too much....the arm rest is starting to grow on me too. When I play my Crow I have to use a wrist band... I like the planetaries also they stay in tune and work really well.....really a very nice banjo and well worth the price :)

Are you guys getting alot of requests for scooped Goodtimes right now?

Edited by - erikforgod on 01/04/2012 08:50:52

Debbiej - Posted - 01/08/2012:  16:35:33

I just got a deering Terry Baucom banjo a month ago, I'm wondering what kind of bridge is it that Deering puts on that banjo?

thanks,

Debbie

Bob Murphy - Posted - 01/09/2012:  12:41:38

Hi Janet,

Which tone ring does Eddie Adcock use in his GE? He made some nice remarks about it in the last BNL.

Bob

Janet Deering - Posted - 01/09/2012:  13:52:55

Eddie Adcock has the '06 tone ring in his Golden Era banjo.

Janet Deering - Posted - 01/09/2012:  13:56:21

We make all our own bridges in house now. So your Terry Baucom has a Deering bridge on it.

JLB - Posted - 01/09/2012:  16:05:35

I'm very disappointed with the TV show American Pickers. I thought it was about pickin' music and the closest they get to music is that this gal working at an antique store is wearing a Deering tee shirt. Sheesh!

Banjo Studio - Posted - 01/10/2012:  00:24:47

Janet,

Whose the newest Deering premier dealer?

banjostudio.com

Gomer - Posted - 01/10/2012:  20:42:14

I think you may have meant: Who's the newest Deering Premier Dealer. Let me guess!

Stringcritter - Posted - 01/11/2012:  00:00:49

Hi, Janet!

I'm new to Banjo Hangout. I have a bunch of banjos. One is a DEERING GOLDEN WREATH which I saw hanging in a music store in San Luis Obispo for $2000! I had to buy it because I knew it was a bargain! it was new and still is beautiful! The tone ring is built well and the holes are properly spaced. the concentricity and fit look nice and precise! It sounds strong but when compared to the Gibson Mastertone sound, it has a "metallic" sound. The action is about  3/16".  Can you tell me why this banjo sounds a little too metallic?

I dont mean to be "picky"!

--John

Solvang, CA

Gomer - Posted - 01/14/2012:  16:48:09

The metallic sound that you refer is, well, from metal. Most of the banjo makers in this country place the finished banjos between two very powerful electomagnets for the purpose of depolarizing the instrument. Everything from the tuners to the tailpiece gets the treatment.  That having been said, there are occasions where the banjo is not in the magnetic vault for a long enough period of time to depolarize the truss rod which runs through the wooden neck. The older Deering neck profiles were a bit thicker some time back and many of them were sold with the un-polarized ( or more correctly, non-demagnified ) truss rods. In order to remedy this the Deerings designed a thinner neck profile. This solved the Metallic issue and by the way, is said to make a much more playable neck.  I am not sure about what to do with your metallic issue now that the banjo has left the factory.

The 3/16 action height is high enough for a troupe of Cirque du Soleil performers to do an hour long high wire act. I like about .018 of neck relief with just a smidge over 1/8 string height at the 22 fret. Deering has an online setup manual which will take you through the drill. a new set of strings and a general inspection for little things like a wrist rest which ever so annoyingly buzzes might even lessen you magnetic resonance matter

DeanT - Posted - 01/15/2012:  00:13:16

Can you tell me why this banjo sounds a little too metallic?

I'm betting the tailpiece is down and touching the top of the tension hoop.

Helix - Posted - 01/15/2012:  06:52:27

I gettin' a electo mag, magnut. What?

Welcome to the hangout, I jam every week with all the major brands and their models.

If there are voices from each brand or limitations, it shows immediately in amongst other banjos, some punch, some don't. Some are tinny. What is interesting to me is the variance.

Jamming helped me listen.

Helix Hurricane #001

Gomer - Posted - 01/15/2012:  20:46:51

quote:

---

Originally posted by 1four5

Can you tell me why this banjo sounds a little too metallic?



I'm betting the tailpiece is down and touching the top of the tension hoop.

---

 Dean, I had a strange emanation that was making me crazy until I raised the wrist rest a scosch.  Of course, I would take a piece of your bet on the tailpiece.

DeanT - Posted - 01/16/2012:  00:47:14

When I got my Calico, it sounded horridly tinny and metallic, not much better than a bottle cap banjo. Someone had attempted to adjust the action with the co-rods, the head was insanely tight, and the tailpiece was adjusted down against the top of the tension hoop. The poor banjo, in all it's beauty, was being choked to death and couldn't breathe.

country frank - Posted - 01/16/2012:  03:43:49

Hi janet, thanks for fielding all these quiestions.

I am really interested in the new electro acoustic pick-up you are using in the goodtime. My question is;

If [and when] the head breaks, how does one refit that style of pick-up in a replacement head, or do you have to buy a whole new pick-up and head assembly from Deering?

If you have to replace the pick up and the head together could you give me a ball park [current] cost of such a replacement?

Many thanks for my maple blossom and my goodtime.

erikforgod - Posted - 01/16/2012:  04:38:39

Frank it seems that the head is secially made...I would assume you would have to get one from Deering...either way banjo heads can last years if cared for properly.

country frank - Posted - 01/16/2012:  05:10:18

Erik, thanks, i am aware that i have changed heads numerous times on my [many] banjos for various reasons. Last year the head on my 03 maple blossom split with what i would regard as normal use. I am interested to know how one would remove the clearly expensive pick-up from a busted head. If you can not do that, i would fear an overtly expensive head switch would be in order.