Carlaway - Posted - 01/06/2016:  20:52:03

That banjo looks stunning.  Beautiful... Can't wait to see and hear more.  Thanks for the peek Janet.

Janet Deering - Posted - 02/03/2016:  21:24:14

Janet,  I  found  a  Deering  in  a music  store,  its  used,   looks  to  be  in  good  shape,  exept   someone  put  in  7  spikes   and  did  a poor  job  of  it.  I  think  it  is  a  Maple  blossom?  curly maple  neck  and  reso,  with  dark  slightly  purple  colored  maple.   1. 500   does  that  sound  reasonable?  

Hi Lee,  Yes, you got a very good deal on your Maple Blossom banjo. Full price on a new one is about $4299 these days. Enjoy your banjo!  Janet

Janet Deering - Posted - 02/03/2016:  21:33:51

It took me a while to decide, but I finally got a new Sierra from the folks at Promenade Music, Morecambe. It's beautiful to look at, and sounds fabulous.

It's the only thing that gets me away from the ukulele ...



baldy.

I'm glad you finally got a new Sierra from the folks at Promenade Music, they are great folks. I hope you enjoy playing it for years to come.  If you are ever in the San Diego area feel free to come by for a factory tour.  If you have your banjo along we are happy to give it a check up when you come by.

All the best, Janet

Zephrant - Posted - 02/09/2016:  12:42:40

I just bought a used Goodtime from a shop in Florida. I'm very happy with it so far.

When I went to restring it, I noticed that the nut slots looked wider than the strings. Is this original/typical, or has a rabid beaver been working on it?

Janet Deering - Posted - 02/09/2016:  14:21:43

I cannot tell you if a rabid beaver has been working on your nut slots.  But, the nut slots usually are wider than the strings. All the  best!

roadstar75 - Posted - 02/09/2016:  17:45:54

I took a look at my GoodTime Special and the slot is just wide enough for the string to slot through and that is it.  Yours appears to have wider grooves.

Edited by - roadstar75 on 02/09/2016 17:46:54

Zephrant - Posted - 02/10/2016:  09:22:38

Hmm-  I'm wondering if someone opened up the nut slots for nylon strings at some time in the past.  I can actually move the smaller strings horizontally in the slots, and that doesn't seem good.

I'm going to replace the nut-  I don't see one listed on the Deering site, but I'll drop them an email.

Thanks all-

spoonfed - Posted - 02/12/2016:  05:51:14

Zephrant - Posted - 02/16/2016:  11:16:15

Got a quick reply from Deering: You can order a nut blank w/o slots for $5 plus shipping. We cannot pre-slot it for you as that is done when the nut is installed on the neck.

You may use the toll free number below to do that.

The person who sold me the Banjo (long time player/instructor/seller) knows the entire brief (3-6 month) history of the instrument, and is positive the nut was never modified, and could not understand why I was concerned about it having wider-than-strings slots.

But, I like to tinker, so I'm going to replace it anyway.  :)

Janet Deering - Posted - 02/16/2016:  21:46:39

No problem,   It's your banjo so have fun with it.

That's how Greg got started,  he had a Harmony banjo that he bought with his paper route money and he decided to put  binding on the neck.  One thing led to another....

birdmanUK - Posted - 03/31/2016:  13:21:34

I've just bought a nice used Sierra but I'm unsure if it's maple or mahogany.  Is it possible to find out based on the serial number: 11559111p854.  Many thanks

Janet Deering - Posted - 03/31/2016:  13:48:27

Your Sierra banjo is a mahogany banjo according to our serial number book.  You can register it as a secondary owner here:  deeringbanjos.com/pages/banjo-registration   

I hope you enjoy playing it for years to come.

roadstar75 - Posted - 03/31/2016:  13:52:49

BirdmanUK -how about a photo or two and some idea of what you paid if you care to share the info.  Congrats on the purchase, Deering makes great banjos.

birdmanUK - Posted - 03/31/2016:  13:58:56

Thank you very much Janet.  I really appreciate you getting back to me - and so quickly too.  It's a lovely instrument!

Janet Deering - Posted - 03/31/2016:  14:12:51

You are welcome.  I'm glad I could help. 

Janet Deering - Posted - 04/01/2016:  16:12:24

I thought I'd share a sneak preview of what's being released on Monday -

Here it is :deeringbanjos.com/artisan

Let me know what you think of this new banjo.

roadstar75 - Posted - 04/01/2016:  19:21:53

I have a Classic Special and it looks like the new one adds some real class to the neck and top part.  Very nice and only $10 more if I read it right.  That's a lot of upgrade for only $10.

Richard

Janet Deering - Posted - 04/04/2016:  09:52:46

Yes,  we went all out and kept the prices nearly the same.  It's part of celebrating the 20 years of the Goodtime Banjos which began in 1996 with just the Goodtime open back.

 Thanks to all the players who have chosen a Deering Goodtime banjo and recommended them to others.  We really appreciate it.

We are thankful that we have been able to make them here in the USA with American workers and make them efficiently enough to keep the prices very affordable while keeping the quality high. We are blessed to be able to do what we love and make a living at it.

Thanks for your support.

Rawhide Creek - Posted - 04/04/2016:  12:06:49

Janet, will the Artisan include the Midnight Special and the Parlor versions?

Bill Rogers - Posted - 04/05/2016:  15:52:18

The new "Artisan" banjos look to be nice instruments with a more traditional appearance.  Whether the moniker "Artisan" implies too much will be for each player to decide, as will whether the price point is within the "first banjo" category.  I continue to think that dropping an "Electric" style tone ring on that shell would make a great banjo that emulated the originals at a reasonable price.

Janet Deering - Posted - 04/06/2016:  10:42:40

Yes, the Artisan will include the midnight special and Parlor versions soon.  They will be available to ship within the next six to eight weeks.

As far as an "Electric" style tone ring, are you referring to a round brass or steel hoop?

Old Hickory - Posted - 04/06/2016:  17:02:47

quote:

---

Originally posted by Bill Rogers

Whether the moniker "Artisan" implies too much will be for each player to decide, as will whether the price point is within the "first banjo" category.

---

According to the intro videos I've watched, the Artisan banjos are replacing the "Classic" series, which are the banjos that are stained brown and feature planetary tuners.  With street prices ranging around $529 the lowest priced Classic series instruments were in the first banjo category. With prices nearly $1,000 at the high end, it depends on what type of first-time buyer you are.  Point is, the Classic series banjos already cost more than standard Goodtimes.

I think the addition of a real fingerboard and attractive inlay makes the Artisan banjos instruments you might spend the extra price to own because you'd be happy to keep them longer.

Janet Deering - Posted - 04/07/2016:  17:48:12

I'm glad you like the design of the new Artisan Goodtime banjos. It is great to hear your thoughts. 

Recently we added a new feature to our website where you can find who has each model in stock.  It is our intention to make it easier for anyone wanting to play a model to find which stores have recently received one. This video explains how to use this new feature.

Video : youtube.com/watch?v=jG7fvr1Xta0

ceemonster - Posted - 04/17/2016:  02:27:16

Regarding an "Electric" style tone ring, I believe the poster meant what most of us would say was a Whyte Laydie tone ring. Purists say "Electric." But I'm with Mr. Rogers---great idea. A scalloped WL ring would be great in these banjos.



Here is a question--Difference in tone/sustain/lung power/highs/mids/lows, or any other differences, in the 40th Anniversary White Oak versus the Hartford? Congratulations on all these new projects!

Edited by - ceemonster on 04/17/2016 02:27:38

banjodad1 - Posted - 04/17/2016:  17:29:32

I recently got a Goodtime parlor banjo with the tuner upgrade and I love it. I've played it exclusively for the past two weeks; it sounds great and has a lot of punch. I'm looking forward to traveling with it and playing it on my lunch break.

Janet Deering - Posted - 04/19/2016:  17:32:48

That's great, Allan.  I'm glad you are enjoying your Goodtime parlor banjo.  It sure is easy to travel with being shorter than the normal neck. I think I'll take one along when we drive our RV up to the Grass Valley Father's Day Bluegrass Festival in June.

Janet Deering - Posted - 04/19/2016:  17:38:50

Thanks for the clarification.  Greg has talked about coming out with a Whyte Laydie tone ring at some point.  It's not yet on the front burner of all the projects he is working on.

The differences between the Hartford and the White Oak banjo,  I really couldn't say.  I have not yet compared the two directly against each other.  Usually I get that opportunity when I am at festivals with a display of many banjos.  The White Oak banjo is very new,  I will have one with me at Merlefest this month so after that I may be able to put an answer into words.  I will have a Hartford banjo there as well so this will be my first opportunity to compare them directly.  

We have so much going on at the shop every day it's fun to get away to a festival and have time to really hear how the banjos sound when many different people play therm.  That's my favorite part of the job.

challford724 - Posted - 04/24/2016:  13:50:22

I'm really hoping to get a good time for my very first banjo! Trying to convince my wife on an army salary is challenging! But I'm not giving up hope!

PapaFrank - Posted - 04/24/2016:  14:03:43

Chris , tell her all about how you'll be able to serenade the baby to sleep at night with your new goodtime banjo! My kids are now grownup but I'm sure it will work! Good luck.

challford724 - Posted - 04/24/2016:  14:34:12

Haha they need to be serenaded because I have two youngins and they are always bouncing off the walls.