peewee - Posted - 01/17/2012:  12:06:17

Janet, help me out with a technical question.. This concerns the design of the Calico inlay block.   Has the design of the calico script changed over the years? In other words have different designs been used on the calico block?  If so can you tell me around what time period they were changed?  Thanks

peewee - Posted - 01/19/2012:  09:58:03

Another question Janet.  Can you tell me approximately how many blonde calicos have been built total.. Just a round figure.  Thanks

DIV - Posted - 01/20/2012:  18:10:45

Here's a great reason I love Deering banjos.

I can't think of any other major banjo manufacturer around today who is more accommodating (and encouraging!) of custom jobs like this.

ebay.com/itm/Custom-made-Deeri...370bf992f

Stringcritter - Posted - 01/25/2012:  00:04:22

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gomer

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

---

Stringcritter - Posted - 01/25/2012:  00:08:59

WHERE DO I WRITE?

Sorry!....I sent a blank page.....Oh, Well.....Yes, my action is .18 (3/16).....and I hesitate to lower it to .12 (1/8) because it will buzz.....unless I tighten? the truss rod....Right?

I dont know what NECK RELIEF is, and I assume (maybe a mistake) that it is the amount of CONCAVITY created by the TRUSS ROD? 

Fill me in if you could.

Thanks for the tips though!

--John

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

---

Stringcritter - Posted - 01/25/2012:  00:12:35

quote: I dont know where to write here......Thanks for the note!

Thanks for your note......I dont know were to write in here.....

Yes, my tail stock is very low.....almost touches head, but doesnt it clamp to the tension ring to hold it in place.....How can it not touch the tension ring?

---

 

 

 

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.

---

Gomer - Posted - 01/25/2012:  07:53:02

Setup is crucial on ANY Banjo. It is of particular consequence to my Banjos, so that I do it often. You need to start with Bourbon. I cannot overstate the importance of fine quality / Topshelf liquor to an effective Setup. You may have heard the banjo tune: Whiskey Before Breakfast. This song has its roots in banjo setup. It is the plaintiff wail of a minstrel whose spirits are dampened by not having the requisite number of fortifiing shots of libation available to him during a setup. The hapless soul wound up playing clawhammer for the rest of his life; his fingers and hand mangled into a cramped, stiff, useless ball.

Announce to your Sig-other and children who are old enough to hear the news, that you will be doing a setup. Toss everything off of the kitchen table. Lay out a towel and a 4x4 block of wood covered with padding to support the neck. Get some tools, sit down and relax. Pour yourself a shot. Get to the Deering website and print out the section of the maintenance manual on setup. Read and Sip; Sip and Read.

If you don't get to the place where you are ready to proceed, pack everything up and take your banjo to a setup person. Finish the bottle and never let on to your loved ones.

Gomer - Posted - 01/25/2012:  08:55:49

Food for the Challenge  docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&...=CNvJkpYK

dpete210 - Posted - 01/25/2012:  09:02:25

Stringcritter,  welcome to the world of banjo playing and keeping one's banjo in top playing condition.  We all had similar questions to those you have posted at one time or other in our banjo journeys.  To dramatically speed up your expertise in banjo set up I recommend that you get yourself a banjo setup and maintenance DVD that will be of great benefit for you.  If you play guitar, you know that there is little that must be done to keep it sounding good, not so with a banjo.  Proper set up is very important in keeping your banjo sounding its best.  Anyway, there are some excellent DVDs available.  Greg Deering has one that is available through Deering.  Look here deeringbanjos.com/store/cd-dvd/dvd

I have not seen the Deering DVD because before I knew it was available, I had already purchased the one by Steve Huber called Killer Tone and then the one put out by Janet Davis of Janet Davis Music.  Each is excellent.  You can check them out here: janetdavismusic.com/setupdvds.html

This will help to take out the mystery of keeping your banjo in top form.  Good luck!  

DeanT - Posted - 01/25/2012:  10:35:13

>Yes, my tail stock is very low.....almost touches head, but doesnt it clamp to the tension ring to hold it in place.....How can it not touch the tension ring?<

You can raise your tailpiece. The string pressure will keep it in place. I like mine high enough, to be able to fit a credit card between the top of the tension hoop, and the bottom of the tailpiece. It's been my experience on three Deering banjo's, that the lower the tailpiece, especially down hard on the tension hoop, the more thin, tinny and metallic the tone.

Gomer - Posted - 01/25/2012:  19:47:22

Well Mr. Dean. . . There you go with the credit card trick again. It is the best I have learned on the hangout or elsewhere. When I give the advice to my friends, I roll it off the tongue as if it were my idea, but we lawyers are not above plagiarism. Whenever I have a buzz that is not caused by liquor and am about at the point where I give up, I always come back to the credit check and it mostly still works.

DeanT - Posted - 01/26/2012:  00:32:13

I actually learned the credit card adjustment on the BHO. I tried the Deering manuel's way of setting up the tailpiece but it only resulted in the more tinny, metallic, thin sound as described previously in this thread. Some of the set-up gurus in the set-up and repair forum taught me how to get the most out of my Calico. Getting the tailpiece up off the top of the tension hoop was one of the issues that made a very big difference.

Gomer - Posted - 01/26/2012:  07:38:35

Honesty will get you nowhere in matters of banjo. you should seize the credit for it. I have since used one or more of the Fults units on my Hartford and Saratoga, I like the mechanical certainty, the sound, and the fact that they can double as a bomb shelter in the event of a nuclear attack. Best regards Dean.

DENNISNDODIE - Posted - 01/28/2012:  11:09:35

What are the nuts on the models,sierra,deluxe and black diamond made of?

SirRight - Posted - 01/29/2012:  15:31:15

Maybe I misunderstood about what adjustment people have been talking about but now my Deering calico sounds ten times better.  I use a Fults 1934 tailpiece and it was always touching the tone ring(?).  I moved the entire assembly down about 2 millimeters so that is is attached to the two J-hooks without touching anything (floating).  I also always have the strings as close to the head as possible (on the clamshell).  Bell-like, crisp, clean, clear, and with a better bass response; and not tinny at all anymore.  Glad I read the last two pages of this newly discovered forum, I'm subscribed to it now.

Gomer - Posted - 01/30/2012:  10:50:43

I float my Fults a credit card off of the rim (2mm) and crank it down to where the strings are a pencil width off the head all assuming about a 91 drumdial indication. I am sure there are more expert ways to describe all of this, but I leave that to the experts.

SirRight - Posted - 01/30/2012:  11:20:20

Thanks Gomer,

Good, I didn`t do anything wrong then.  You know it can almost be a compulsion to constantly tinker with the banjo to get the perfect sound out of it.  I stop by saying to myself that it is good enough for my level!

paulrobertwagner - Posted - 01/30/2012:  18:40:56

What size bracket hex wrench would work to tighten the head on my Eagle II?  Is there a standard bracket size for Deerings, or do they vary by model?

dpete210 - Posted - 01/30/2012:  20:27:57

quote:

---

Originally posted by paulrobertwagner

What size bracket hex wrench would work to tighten the head on my Eagle II?  Is there a standard bracket size for Deerings, or do they vary by model?

---

I'm not certain about the Eagle II, but It most likely will be either a 1/4 inch or 5/16 inch bracket wrench.  Seems like there should have been one that came with the banjo.  You can find the Deering maintenance manual here:  deeringbanjos.com/catalog/cate...view/id/4

Here is what is stated in the Deering maintenance manual:

"TIGHTENING THE HEAD

Your banjo should have a tight head in order to have its clearest tone. It should not be too tight or the bass notes will be stifled.

Tighten the head with a 1/4" or 5/16” bracket wrench.

Tighten each hex nut just a fraction of a turn, going around the rim several times, keeping the tension hoop level, until they are all tight. You may get to a point where the hex nuts squeak when you tighten them, indicating the head is getting very tight and you should be leery of tightening further, but you can continue some past this point."

Edited by - dpete210 on 01/30/2012 20:33:51

donata5 - Posted - 01/31/2012:  11:10:24

I am considering the purchase of a Deering Banjo.   However I have only been able to find and play a new Sierrra Mahogany.  Deering's website says that the Sierra has the same pot assembly as the rest of their professional line.    Does this mean that the Sierra, the Deluxe, the Maple Blossum, and the Calico will all have about the same sound quality?    I am wondering if the higher priced models give a better sound?   Or is it mostly cosmetic differences?

thanks

Gomer - Posted - 02/02/2012:  08:29:28

I would recommend against purchasing the Calico if you have to support a family or have significant life responsibilities. If you are at all sensitive to  deep haunting luster of honey-tabacco stained maple pulsing off of sumptuous nickel-chrome appointments, your purchase money will have been misplaced. My Instructor ARAU the magnificent brought one home on approval from Deering. After playing it for a few hours, I turned it down. The next day I changed my mind, but I was too late. I have regretted my miscalculation ever since.  In matters of banjo, it is important to follow your heart. 

SirRight - Posted - 02/02/2012:  09:01:03

To add to what Gomer just said, you get what you pay for.  Some on this site will try to tell you that the Calico is just a Sierra with all the fancy stuff added to it, but if one goes to Youtube and listens to people playing each banjo, this will tell you a different story.  I intend on only having one banjo and so I paid more and bought the Calico; there are many here that buy $500 banjos but they have 4 or 5 of them.

Oh and buy used ... a banjo actually improves in sound as it ages.

DIV - Posted - 02/02/2012:  19:51:58

Hello Deering friends and fans!

Just a quick note: I'm collecting the old catalogs.  Please give me a shout if you've got something I might be interested in.

banjohangout.org/classified/26597

thanks!

PS:  Janet, if you're out there...are there any vintage catalogs available at the Deering shop?  Did you guys print new editions every year?  Is there a list of the different editions that were printed?

Thanks again!

Edited by - DIV on 02/02/2012 19:53:19

rubicon - Posted - 02/02/2012:  20:29:01

Hello Janet I have a question did your company ever make a goodtime with a truss rod ? what model goodtime is this man playing ? sounds like it has a tone ring but it does not say it is a special ? It also appears to have a truss rod cover  thnak you youtube.com/watch?v=O_-LFqbfHF...e=related

Bizdoc - Posted - 02/08/2012:  03:59:08

It appears this picker has added a truss rod cover for cosmetic sake. I've considered the same thing.

Janet Deering - Posted - 02/08/2012:  13:51:11

We have not made any Goodtime banjos with truss rods. There have been a few people who have added an engraved truss rod cap with their name on it to their Goodtime banjo. It's is for added artistry and name recognition. To date we have made 55,504 Goodtime banjos.

We have made 82,447 banjos including all the Deering, Vega, Tenbrooks and Goodtime banjos since we began in 1975.


At this point I believe we have made more banjos than any other maker that has ever existed. Who ever would have thunk it!

bkdraft - Posted - 02/08/2012:  13:55:31

quote:

---

Originally posted by Janet Deering

We have made 82,447 banjos including all the Deering, Vega, Tenbrooks and Goodtime banjos since we began in 1975.

---

And I am a happy owner of one of those Maple Blossoms 

Janet Deering - Posted - 02/08/2012:  14:00:17

Yes,  I have a few of the older catalogs we have done.  It's funny you should ask because I just framed one of each of our catalogs and put a display of them on the wall in our sales office.

We have made about 16 different catalogs in the past many years,  plus the World Wide Banjo Directory that I published in 1988. If you come by the factory we do have a few extras of some of them. The oldest two that we printed are like hens teeth. 

 You are welcome to come by and tour the factory any Tues - Friday at 1pm. Ask about the catalogs when you are here and we can show you what we have.

bkdraft - Posted - 02/09/2012:  19:01:17

Headed to San Diego to visit my daughter and SIL during spring break in March. While there we are planning on doing the tour at the Deering factory..

bluegrassjunkie - Posted - 02/09/2012:  19:59:46

quote:

---

Originally posted by Janet Deering

We have not made any Goodtime banjos with truss rods. There have been a few people who have added an engraved truss rod cap with their name on it to their Goodtime banjo. It's is for added artistry and name recognition. To date we have made 55,504 Goodtime banjos.



We have made 82,447 banjos including all the Deering, Vega, Tenbrooks and Goodtime banjos since we began in 1975.





At this point I believe we have made more banjos than any other maker that has ever existed. Who ever would have thunk it!

---

​Janet,

You, Jeff and the entire Deering family have made a huge impact on the banjo community with some of the most innovative, affordable, high quality instruments ever made. It's encouraging to see what you have accomplished in such a short time, and it must be exciting for you what the future holds. Thank you for designing great products that inspire so many people around the world to play the banjo. 

​Doug Campbell

​Little Mountain Music

Edited by - bluegrassjunkie on 02/09/2012 20:11:02

DIV - Posted - 02/11/2012:  10:33:14

quote:

---

Originally posted by Janet Deering

 

PS:  Janet, if you're out there...are there any vintage catalogs available at the Deering shop?  Did you guys print new editions every year?  Is there a list of the different editions that were printed? Thanks again!

Yes,  I have a few of the older catalogs we have done.  It's funny you should ask because I just framed one of each of our catalogs and put a display of them on the wall in our sales office.

We have made about 16 different catalogs in the past many years,  plus the World Wide Banjo Directory that I published in 1988. If you come by the factory we do have a few extras of some of them. The oldest two that we printed are like hens teeth. 

 You are welcome to come by and tour the factory any Tues - Friday at 1pm. Ask about the catalogs when you are here and we can show you what we have.

 

 

---

Hi Janet

I live in Seattle, but I have managed to come down and visit the shop twice now and I always enjoy it (see photos in my album).  You might remember I popped in to your office and I introduced myself....That was in 2008 when I met with Carolina to order my custom Calico.

Next opportunity I have, I'll stop in again and visit

thanks!

Dan

gdoc - Posted - 02/13/2012:  06:56:49

Hi Janet,

I have a basic Goodtime banjo, love it.  It has been through hell and back, and shows no weakness or any other problems.  So my question to you, is if this banjo can stand up to such abuse as I put mine through, and still be a stable perfect banjo with no truss rod, why bother putting a truss rod in any of your banjos?  Is it just the selecton of wood used for the Goodtime only?  Other people have said the same thing, their Goodtime banjos are built like a tank.

banjohangout.org/topic/226956   link to thread about goodtime banjos.

Is the truss rod really necessary in the other banjos?  or are we just so used to it that we expect it, and would be afraid to buy a banjo (other than the Goodtime) without a truss rod?

Edited by - gdoc on 02/13/2012 06:58:46

gdoc - Posted - 02/13/2012:  07:00:03

ps.....  I'm sure I have voided any warranty

erikforgod - Posted - 02/13/2012:  08:13:10

Gdoc the truss rod on the other banjos is needed because the neck has been made unstable by mating gluing two pieces of wood together with different densities...thus the need for re=enforcement. The Goodtime necks are straight cut from quartersawn maple and no piece of Ebony or Rosewood ( which dries much faster than maple ) is being glued to the maple neck. As long as folks keep wanting ebony and rosewood fingerboards I guess the need for truss rods and neck renforcements will remain.

gdoc - Posted - 02/13/2012:  16:53:41

thanks for the reply Erik,

I thought laminating woods made them stronger, like plywood.  Especially if you can reverse the grain.  or does that take several layers?

erikforgod - Posted - 02/13/2012:  17:06:44

With classical guitars laminated heel blocks and scarf/finger joints in the pegheads they say are stronger than solid piece necks..I dunno why it would be any different with banjo necks.

Paulf - Posted - 02/16/2012:  03:57:31

Hi Janet.

                  Looking at buying a Goodtime in hopefully a few more weeks and will be getting it shipped to Australia but noticed on your site that the only hard case available is the $268 which I would not buy for a $500 banjo but I would feel better if the banjo was shipped in a case.  A few companies and shops offer a budget hard case when buying a banjo and was wondering if Deering would ever consider that for the Goodtime banjos.  I realize that you have sent so many banjos out in just the cardboard box and not had any problems but I would feel more relaxed if I knew it was better protected.

Cheers,  Paul

gdoc - Posted - 02/16/2012:  04:52:31

Paulf,

That's a good quesiton, perhaps a reinforced cardbpard / light plywood box.

I have flown with my banjo in a canvas carry bag, told it would be carry on, only to find out (on 3 flights) nope, it had to be checked.  It arrived safe and sound.

But I think that a simple, non expensive plywood crate could be made rather cheaply, maybe upon personal request like yours. How bout it Janet?

erikforgod - Posted - 02/16/2012:  05:12:11

Never had to check my banjos...they always allowed me to store it in the galley closet with the coats and jackets the flight attendents bring. I have flown on Aerolineas Argentinas ( Airbus A340-313X ) and American Airlines ( Boeing 777-200ER ) ..both airlines very courteous and accomodating to my banjos.

I had both my Goodtimes shipped stateside to my moms house in Fla before I brought them to Argentina. They were sealed in a foam bag in the inside of  the box. The outside of the box was marked fragile...everything came intact. Write to Carolina and ask them to lay the bridge down and tape it to the head if they are shipping it. Good luck by the way Paul youll have a great time with your Goodtime...they are excellent little banjos!

Edited by - erikforgod on 02/16/2012 05:13:46

Paulf - Posted - 02/16/2012:  05:15:15

Thank you, I am really looking forward to this purchase.

Paul

erikforgod - Posted - 02/16/2012:  05:15:28

The only problem with plywood is that it warps really easily when it gets humid. I have sen wood/plywood bozes here in Arg for guitars etc...they are unsightly lookin things and these seem like they would be hard on a banjo.

mudlakesandy - Posted - 02/16/2012:  05:57:55

See Janet's response on this earlier- in December took my Boston to Singapore via Delta A330 and 777. Gig bag was the trick- went in the overhead lockers without issues. The gig bag takes up the minimum space and maximum protection- and as it happens the Deering gig bag is good looking and well made.
-S

erikforgod - Posted - 02/16/2012:  07:17:41

quote:

---

Originally posted by mudlakesandy

See Janet's response on this earlier- in December took my Boston to Singapore via Delta A330 and 777. Gig bag was the trick- went in the overhead lockers without issues. The gig bag takes up the minimum space and maximum protection- and as it happens the Deering gig bag is good looking and well made.

-S

---

Did the same between the US and Argentina...there is no excuse for an airline to force a musician with an instrument in a gig-bag to check it below...I have never had problems with mine...so far, but if they tried to give me a hassle Id fight em on it till the bitter end!

bkdraft - Posted - 02/16/2012:  07:57:00

New law past by Congress earlier this week requires airlines to allow all musical instruments to be allowed carry on. Only thing is if it will not fit in overhead or under seat you have to buy a ticket for it to sit in a seat. Banjo should be no problems.

After five years and 23 short-term extensions, Congress has passed legislation reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the next four years. Included in the bill are provisions that create a uniform national policy regarding musical instruments on airplanes. Any instrument that can be safely stored in the overhead compartment or underneath the seat may be brought on board as carry-on luggage. Additionally, the bill sets standard weight and size requirements for checked instruments, and permits musicians to purchase a seat for oversized instruments, such as cellos, that are too delicate to be checked. Existing law allowed each airline to set their own policy regarding musical instruments, and size requirements varied widely for both carry-on and checked baggage. The American Federation of Musicians (AFM) has been lobbying Congress to enact such a policy for nearly a decade.

"This is great news for professional musicians throughout the U.S. and Canada who carry the tools of our trade – our instruments – aboard commercial aircraft," said AFM President Ray Hair. "Ending the confusion over musical instruments as carry-on baggage has been a top legislative priority for nearly a decade. I am proud of our Government Relations Director, Hal Ponder and his assistant Laura Brigandi in our Washington legislative office for seeing the effort through. Musicians can now fly in friendlier skies."

The FAA reauthorization was passed by the House of Representatives on Friday, February 3 by a 248-169 vote. It subsequently passed the Senate on Monday, February 6, 75-20. The President is expected to sign the bill into law.

Grip - Posted - 02/16/2012:  09:43:19

quote:

---

Originally posted by Janet Deering



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.

---

I know it's been a little over a week since I posted this, Janet, but I'm still kinda curious how many were made :

The sarcasm is all in fun, believe me. I think it's great that you are answering so many folks questions & helping them the way you do. I love my Deering!

Paulf - Posted - 02/16/2012:  13:08:18

quote:

---

Originally posted by gdoc

Paulf,

That's a good quesiton, perhaps a reinforced cardbpard / light plywood box.

I have flown with my banjo in a canvas carry bag, told it would be carry on, only to find out (on 3 flights) nope, it had to be checked.  It arrived safe and sound.

But I think that a simple, non expensive plywood crate could be made rather cheaply, maybe upon personal request like yours. How bout it Janet?

---

 Why I am worried about getting a banjo sent from overseas in just a cardboard box is that the cheapy I have now only came interstate and although the banjo was fine there was a bit of damage to the box.

Paul

professir - Posted - 02/16/2012:  14:59:35

I am SOOOO excited to be looking to order a Goodtime banjo mid next month! After 4 years of not being able to play due to open heart surgery, I will be ordering either a standard goodtime open back, a parlor or maybe a standard scooped! (depends on what is in stock when I go to order!) Cant wait! Now I just have to decide what will work best for me. I had to give up guitar for weight, and body size caused my right arm to be at a painful angle. I do not play bluegrass but more old time, and alone. Any suggestions?

Thank you Greg and Janet for making these marvels!

Gomer - Posted - 02/22/2012:  18:59:32

It's my opinion that anybody who has just been through successful heart surgery is taking far too modest of a leap by jumping over to the good time. I think you need something with some oooomph, some mojo, something that says " joie de vivre" al over it. Let's face it; there is no joie without inlays and a strong tone ring that lets people know that you have arrived. It sounds to me like you want a Hartford. That'll give some joie. If the Mrs has doubts, have her look at the hospital bills for the surgery. That will throw her for a loop.

kc8tby - Posted - 02/23/2012:  06:52:14

Hello Janet!
I have been an owner of a Goodtime (Openback) banjo for the past few years and I have been very pleased with the quality, playability and overall craftsmanship of this banjo. Kudos for making such a fine instrument.
OK. Here is my quandary.
I am making the transition from a clawhammer style to a bluegrass style of playing. Although I am drawn (from past experience) to the Goodtime II Special model in order to upgrade to a resonator/bluegrass banjo, I am a bit put off by the price. I am thinking about a Gold Tone CC 100+ as well. Please, oh please, talk me into paying just a little more for your Special!!! Please explain to me the difference in build quality, etc. I am a bit concerned that the Goodtime Special has no reinforcement rod through the head....am I wrong?
PS: I LOVE the customer support from Deering and LOVE the idea of buying a banjo made in the USA!!! It is a matter of dollars, however.
Talk me into it!!!
Tom