bkdraft - Posted - 02/20/2013:  19:07:43

My new to me Goodtime will be here tomorrow, picked it up for a travel banjo. It has Maple Blossom inlays, so it will match my Maple Blossom great!. Soon as I get the serial # gona try and find out some information on it. They told me it was a prototype, so would like to know its history.

Janet Deering - Posted - 02/21/2013:  10:46:03

Congrats on getting one of the few Goodtime banjos we made with Maple Blossom inlays.  We only made half a dozen of those banjos and we sold them from our showroom here in San Diego.  The inlays are walnut. You got a prize!

Janet Deering - Posted - 02/21/2013:  10:51:15

Bluegrass 37918,   Your banjo was shown in the California Festivals, Grass Valley or Huck Finn. 

Janet Deering - Posted - 02/21/2013:  10:57:40

Mikeyb2,  The Leaders just arrived at Eagle Music. Sorry for the delay.  I just got word that the shipment is there now.  I'm sure they will take good care of your needs.  Thanks for your patience.

mikeyb2 - Posted - 02/21/2013:  13:52:39

Janet, it's a bit late for me. I couldn't wait any longer so I went and bought a Recording King RK025 which I'm very happy with, in fact I think I've made the right choice. Thanks for your efforts though. M

bkdraft - Posted - 02/21/2013:  16:17:57

quote:

---

Originally posted by Janet Deering

Congrats on getting one of the few Goodtime banjos we made with Maple Blossom inlays.  We only made half a dozen of those banjos and we sold them from our showroom here in San Diego.  The inlays are walnut. You got a prize!

---

Got the banjo today, its in great shape. It also has been signed by you and Greg and also by Caroline. It will be headed to San Diego next Tuesday, we will be there for a week visiting our daughter and SIL.

banjaboy - Posted - 02/21/2013:  16:27:41

I just got rid of my RK 35, just not my sound but this Sierra, man its a refined cannon, i love it!

pickn5 - Posted - 02/22/2013:  08:02:23

I just purchase an 07 Sierra as an upgrade from my Hondo. The payment is in the mail and it will be shipped when the check clears. Oh, the anticipation and excitement.

banjaboy - Posted - 02/22/2013:  08:11:20

Its one cool banjo, you will love it for sure.

BanjayUK - Posted - 02/27/2013:  09:29:32

I'm joining the Deering family, I just ordered the Leader from Eagle music, expecting delivery Friday :)

Marcibb - Posted - 03/01/2013:  16:31:38

Hello I am new to the banjo, learning to play the banjo has been on my bucket list for quite some time so I purchased a regrettably cheep banjo for Christmas on the recommendation of the store clerk.



I have decided to purchase a Deering banjo, everyone tells me I should have done so from the get go, well guess I am not to old or pride stricken to take advice from knowledgeable people. I have narrowed my choice between the Good Time Midnight Special, and the Eagle II.



I visited a few musical instrument store that claim to be Deering distributors none had either on hand, but when I ask what the difference between the the two I get something like well the Midnight Special is the top of the line Good time banjo and the Eagle is the newest professional grade Deering banjo. Ok I know that much, could you contrast the two? I guess my question is what makes the Eagle II banjo professional grade and how/what does the Midnight special lack, I watched the video on your webpage featuring Jen Kruger (I am a big fan) he talks about the sustain the tone ring but when I listen to Mean Marry James playing Black Berry Blossom thy both banjos sound fantastic.

I want to buy a great banjo that will last me for the rest of my life.

Marci

Edited by - Marcibb on 03/01/2013 16:34:04

Bizdoc - Posted - 03/01/2013:  17:03:18

I have both a good time and an eagle II. Eagle II hands down. The good time is a beginner banjo. I use it when I want something really light. Neck is much better on my eagle II. Very noticable difference in tone, If u can afford the Eagle II, it may be the last banjo you buy. If you get a good time, you will want to upgrade later. Not that the good time is a bad banjo, just not in the same category as the Eagle II. I enjoy playing both, but really like the Eagle II over the Goodtime. Better parts and better looks. Eagle has great fretboard inlays.

pjfolino - Posted - 03/01/2013:  18:52:37

Agreed. I also own Goodtime and Eagle 2 (as well as Recording King). The Eagle is amazing and, as stated is a banjo for life, imo. Goodtime really easy to play and light. Get both!! :-)

Janet Deering - Posted - 03/01/2013:  18:55:07

I agree. With the Goodtime Midnight Special you get a steel tone ring. With the Eagle you get a brass tone ring.
While both are great banjos, if you can afford the Eagle you will be glad you did. Better yet, get both, good idea!

Edited by - Janet Deering on 03/01/2013 18:59:43

Marcibb - Posted - 03/02/2013:  11:58:23

Thanks Bizdoc for your enlightening response,  I am going to follow your advice and purchase the Eagle II , I wonder if it is available with the black head.

Marci

Bizdoc - Posted - 03/02/2013:  15:24:54

I would believe you can have that change made. I had mine changed to a renaissance head. Also changed to walnut. Just because I happen to like the look of walnut.

Janet Deering - Posted - 03/02/2013:  18:18:58

Yes, you can just order it with the ebony head and we will build it that way for you.

Marcibb - Posted - 03/02/2013:  21:12:58

Thanks Janet I will do that.

Marci

BanjayUK - Posted - 03/03/2013:  10:48:36

Well I received my Goodtime Leader from Eagle Music Friday, I'm very happy with it. Sure I'd love to have a more expensive banjo with all the frills, but as a beginner this is more than adequate for me :) It sounds great too.

Bizdoc - Posted - 03/03/2013:  11:01:37

It's a well built instrument that will take you a long way. Congratulations!

banjaboy - Posted - 03/03/2013:  11:30:55

I think you will love it, American made quality. You will always get your money out when you trade.

Thumper47 - Posted - 03/10/2013:  10:35:40

I ordered one of of the new style Deering armrests Janet mentioned on the thread.  I liked the way it attached and it was a great improvement over the Vega style. However, I prefer a wider armrest so I returned it in exchange for a mute.

Then I ordered an OME armrest and found it met my requirements for looks and comfort perfectly. 

To those who are looking for a replacement armrest for a Goodtime 2, I highly recommend the OME armrest. However, if the price ($60) of an OME armrest is cost prohibitive, the new Deering replacement armrest is an adequate and cheaper alternative.

Thumper47

Banjelo - Posted - 07/25/2013:  23:04:14

I love the Deering Goodtime I bought in January. At first I was told it would take 4 weeks. It was a rather curt notification saying basically, "We build them here. We make them when ordered." Then I decided I wanted an armrest and wrote them about that about having that added. No response. Asked several more times about options and still no response. Finally, they responded that it was in stock and was being shipped as ordered.

It was annoying that responses seem to not come and when they do, they are on two or three five word sentences. Kind of like they don't know English very well. I eventually ordered an armrest and installed it myself. I had asked about several armrest
options and no response so I just got whatever was cheapest.

So now I have ordered another much more expensive banjo. I got the same form letter. " We build them here. We make them when ordered. It will take six weeks." That's it? I paid thousands of dollars up front. You'd think they would they would want to keep their customers apprised of the progress of their order. So I finally wrote again saying I understand that they are made
there in Spring Valley and asked if they could update me on the status of my banjo order once in a while. So far nothing.

If I ran a company where most customers are buying on reputation and faith (you don't find them stores where you can test drive them) I would send several emails a week thanking them for the order and apprising them of the progress of the build.
I would be asking my new or former customers if they the wanted to order any assessories or upgrades. Well that's just me.

With Deering it seems you make your order, and from the time you pay them to the time they ship it, they don't want to be bothered.

AndyM - Posted - 07/26/2013:  06:01:52

Do you folks accept visitors to your shop?  My Social Director and me will be visiting relatives in the San Diego area in a month and would stop by and say "Hello" if you do.

SirRight - Posted - 07/26/2013:  10:20:56

Hi Janet,

If you have some time, please visit this thread for a question on the fret board touching the tension hoop on my Calico:

banjohangout.org/topic/266641

paulrobertwagner - Posted - 09/06/2013:  18:09:56

Hi, Janet!  Two years ago this month I bought my Eagle II open back (#0024) from Al Worthen at Mountain Music. I still love it, and happily play it all the time (you can see it in my profile picture, where even the dog is happy!).  Here are a couple of related questions: was there an Eagle I prototype, and will there ever be an Eagle III?

bkdraft - Posted - 09/06/2013:  18:34:44

quote:

---

Originally posted by AndyM

 

Do you folks accept visitors to your shop?  My Social Director and me will be visiting relatives in the San Diego area in a month and would stop by and say "Hello" if you do.

---

I have been there twice, they do tours almost everyday. Call them and they will let you knife the schedule for the time period you will be there. Definitely do the tour, you will really enjoy it. Show room is full of banjos you can play on. 

Janet Deering - Posted - 09/07/2013:  10:28:35

When Greg named the Eagle Two we asked the same Questions. He has plans to do more models at some time in the future. I have not heard when that might be. Greg is full of surprises even for me inspite if having been married for almost forty years! I cannot guess what will come next.

I never could have predicted the Zombie Killer banjo, not in a million years!

Edited by - Janet Deering on 09/07/2013 10:32:17

Janet Deering - Posted - 09/09/2013:  18:21:58

Carl, I apologize for the brief response to your order. I understand that we could be much more communicative. I will address that with Carolina and Kim to follow up on your order with updates. What did you order? Have you already received it?

DIV - Posted - 09/09/2013:  20:58:18

If you guys haven't seen this yet...this is gorgeous and I tried to get it in a trade for mine....But it just didn't work out and I ended up selling my Rosewood Calico anyway (someone is super happy) and moved on to other things.

Still...an amazingly gorgeous Brazilian Rosewood GDL...the banjo of my dreams..

ebay.com/itm/DEERING-GDL-CUSTO...ac8c6b88d

Edited by - DIV on 09/09/2013 20:59:36

Janet Deering - Posted - 09/10/2013:  07:16:59

Yes, I remember buffing that banjo in 1991! It is a one of a kind banjo, very special.

With the rarity of Brazillian Rosewood and the beauty of that banjo, the owner knows its value.

country frank - Posted - 09/13/2013:  04:08:04

banjohangout.org/global/ckedit.../icon.png) center no-repeat #ff0000;cursor:pointer;top:-8px;-moz-border-radius:2px;border-radius:2px" title="Insert paragraph here">↵

quote

:

---

Originally posted by Janet Deering

 

Yes, I remember buffing that banjo in 1991! It is a one of a kind banjo, very special.

Janet, now that's what i call a family business!

RKArtisan - Posted - 09/14/2013:  14:23:27

Hey Janet,

I wanted to write and let you know how pleased I am with my new Golden Era. I work for Larsen Music in Oklahoma City and we are one of your newest dealers. I emailed and called Carolina in your office and she was very helpful in getting me the banjo. I met you back in the early 80's when you made your cross country trip. I remember the banjos you showed me, but at the time I just couldn't get one. I must say I made a great choice in getting a new Deering banjo. I have several prewar banjos, as well as some newer ones. This Golden Era has quickly become my favorite new banjo. The workmanship and tone are just awesome! I hope to meet you again someday and have some time to visit. I also hope to make it out there to tour the factory. Carolina has informed me that she can help to make that happen for me. I'm hoping to get a Golden Classic before too long to add to my Deering players!

Thanks again.

Mickey Flatt

h - Posted - 09/15/2013:  21:21:54

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  One of the least helpful bits of advice given by experienced banjoists to newbies is to tell them to immediately buy an expensive instrument upon first impulse to learn.  The reason this is bad advice is that if the beginner decides against playing banjo, he or she will take a BIG monetary hit when they get rid of their instrument.   If you buy a $3000 new instrument, you could easily lose one thousand on resale. An expensive experiment!

 It makes more sense to buy a cheap student-grade instrument and lose at most a hundred dollars or so.  Because many people try to learn the banjo and decide it's not for them.  This is why the cheap aluminum banjos outsell Mastertone-level banjos almost ten to one.

Originally posted by Marcibb

 

Hello I am new to the banjo, learning to play the banjo has been on my bucket list for quite some time so I purchased a regrettably cheep banjo for Christmas on the recommendation of the store clerk.

 

I want to buy a great banjo that will last me for the rest of my life.

Marci

---

roadstar75 - Posted - 09/16/2013:  21:46:05

quote:

---

Originally posted by h

 

banjohangout.org/global/ckedit...png") no-repeat center rgb(255, 0, 0); margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-radius: 0px 0px 2px 2px; top: -1px; width: 17px; height: 17px; right: 17px; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 0px; font-size: 0px; display: block; position: absolute; z-index: 9999; cursor: pointer; -webkit-border-radius: 0px 0px 2px 2px;" title="Insert paragraph here">↵

  One of the least helpful bits of advice given by experienced banjoists to newbies is to tell them to immediately buy an expensive instrument upon first impulse to learn.  The reason this is bad advice is that if the beginner decides against playing banjo, he or she will take a BIG monetary hit when they get rid of their instrument.   If you buy a $3000 new instrument, you could easily lose one thousand on resale. An expensive experiment!

 It makes more sense to buy a cheap student-grade instrument and lose at most a hundred dollars or so.  Because many people try to learn the banjo and decide it's not for them.  This is why the cheap aluminum banjos outsell Mastertone-level banjos almost ten to one.

 

This is a lot like buying a motorcycle, you don't learn on a brand new $22,000 machine then drop it due to inexperience.  Same with Banjos.  Somehow I figured out that a Deering was the brand to buy and lucked out on a virtually unused Goodtime Classic II with low miles that had never been dropped (motorcycle humor) for 1/2 the list price including a case.  Now looking at maybe bidding on a professional level model either on E-Bay or Craigslist.  This has been a very interesting and helpful topic for sure...I'm totally new here.

 

SirRight - Posted - 09/16/2013:  21:59:59

I guess i was different then. I got the bug bad and even after half a year, I knew that I wanted to play the Banjo (it called to me). I spent hours and hours, checking this site and Youtube, researching videos and listening to the different brands. I found that the deering models better suited a person with smaller hands (easy to fret) and I narrowed down the choice between two banjos. I then decided to buy one banjo that would last be for the rest of my life, but I had to get a good deal. I got a great deal and am glad I will never have to upgrade.

If you absolutely know you want to invest your time and money in the banjo then buy the best you can easily afford, otherwise take the above poster's advice (it's good too).

Marcibb - Posted - 09/17/2013:  06:33:17

Thanks everyone for your insightful comments. Yet I can not but wonder how many have purchased a "below par banjo" (trying to be politically correct)  on the recommendation of a sales clerk trusting that he/she actually had some knowledge of what thy where thy where selling.  Just to give up later not because of lack of will, interest, or talent but because the instrument is so poorly constructed that it can not be played with out falling apart.

In a 6 month period

1 Right off the bat the banjo was stringed incorrectly

2 The neck came loose (the rod was stripped from over tightening) thy added a bunch of washers to fix that.

3 The head developed a hole by the bridge

4 The bridge came apart

5 2 of the tuning pegs came off

6 The 5th string tuning peg came off (thy supper glued it back in the hole) I have since epoxied it.

7 The nut had to be replaced twice to keep the thing from buzzing

8 One of the frets near the pot came off.

This instrument (and I use the term loosely) has been in the broken more than playable. Currently my 5 year old my grandson is having lots of fun with it and my  instructor is lending me a Good Time until my Eagle II comes in some time around Christmas.

Yet there is one good thing about all this I am learning quite a bit about how a banjo should be put together.

I hope I am not coming off to strongly or b****y. If so I apologize I do not mean to be putting anyone down here I guess I am still a bit more upset about this than I thought anyway thanks again for taking the time to comment.

Marci

dpete210 - Posted - 09/17/2013:  09:57:53

Marcibb, I believe you have chosen very wisely with the Eagle II.  It is on my short list of banjos I would buy if I were looking for one.  Your experience buying a cheap banjo isn't unusual when it comes to purchasing banjos.  It seems to me many have bought a "below par banjo" based on a salesperson's advice.  Unfortunately many music store owners don't have much banjo knowledge and it is not very easy to tell a good one from a not so good one just by looking at them.  It really takes a good deal of playing different banjos to feel the difference in quality and to find a sound one likes.  I look at it as part of a banjo education curve.  

I believe it is also true that folks buy a very good banjo and due to a poor set up out of the box or as time goes on the set up deteriorates, which can result in a very good banjo getting a bad rap due to set up/maintenance ignorance or laxity on the part of the owner.  

I started out with a banjo that I thought would be a good one (brand name wise), but found myself  spending more time than I ever wanted trying to get it to sound good and stay in one piece. I eventually realized that the banjo was not a quality banjo, but I did learn to get it to sound good and eventually solved the issues that were causing problems (loose neck due to faulty set up, junky tailpiece & bridge, among other things).   The good thing about that banjo was it forced me to learn about set up and taught me what never to buy again when looking for a another banjo.  So in a sense I got a good education, but had to seek it, and that is how I found this site.  I followed threads dealing with banjo set up, banjos to consider when looking for a good banjo, sought advice from experienced folks here, and tried to sort out the brand bias and opinion that pops up in so many threads.   I've come to understand that it is equally important to learn how to set up and maintain a banjo as it is to learn how to play it.    

You are wise to learn about how a banjo is put together.  A good banjo maintenance and set up video is worth every penny, and will save you money in the long run.  There are also some excellent youtube videos on the topic.  

Good luck with your Eagle II!   

Pete

Edited by - dpete210 on 09/17/2013 10:06:44

paulrobertwagner - Posted - 09/22/2013:  17:48:01

Marci, I love my Eagle II.  It is a wonderful instrument. I'm sure you will love it, too.

Janet Deering - Posted - 09/23/2013:  18:15:20

There is a Deering Banjo Maintenance and Adjustment video that was recorded be Eagle Music when Greg did a workshop at Steve Noon's store in Huddersfield, England a few years ago. Greg demonstrates all the ways to adjust a banjo for best sound. You can order it from our website. We also offer our written Banjo Maintenance Manuals on our website in the Support tab. You can download the manual for free. It is important info every banjoist should know. 

roadstar75 - Posted - 09/26/2013:  23:16:38

Reading through some earlier comments it seems like I can upgrade my Good Time II Classic to the special metal GT tone ring. The basic question is will I experience a better sounding banjo as a result? What is the current cost to do that?

Janet Deering - Posted - 09/27/2013:  08:07:10

The Special Goodtime models have a tone ring that makes them louder and increases the sustain. The best thing to do is go to your nearest Deering Dealer and trade your Goodtime 2 in for a Goodtime Special. We don't do conversions at the factory so it is best to order the model you want and make a switch.

Bizdoc - Posted - 09/27/2013:  09:49:56

Road star:

The rim is not shaped to receive a tone ring. So the first thing that would have to be done is to have the rim reshaped. Then there's the issue of the added height of the rim, due to the tone ring, that could cause a problem with the neck and rim fit and string height. Your right it has been done. But why. If you really need more volume to play with others then I agree with Mrs. Deering, sell your old unit and upgrade. Many things can go wrong with an aftermarket refit.

penates - Posted - 10/13/2013:  01:55:36

Can a 5 string Goodtime be converted to a left hand 19 fret Tenor?

Jack Russel - Posted - 10/13/2013:  07:07:50

no

Jack Russel - Posted - 10/13/2013:  07:08:40

unless it's a 19 fret parlour model

Jack Russel - Posted - 10/13/2013:  07:13:11

but the 5th string peg will get in the way. It would be a lot less trouble just to save up and buy a proper tenor. You can string any banjo for tuning in fifths, but to be a tenor (and to play like a tenor) it's got to have a scale length between 20 and 23 inches

penates - Posted - 10/13/2013:  11:04:40

I meant to ask, could it be sent to Deering and have the neck swapped?

Vapor - Posted - 10/14/2013:  12:47:39

I would just call Deering banjo, and they can answer it, as well and tell you how much cost is involved.