DIV - Posted - 07/01/2010:  10:57:17

I just want to express my enthusiasm for not only my own personal Deering banjo (which impresses me every time I play it), but also for the people behind the company.
thank you to Janet Deering for your increasing presence here at the hangout. thank you to Carolina Bridges for always answering my questions promptly, and of course thank you to Greg Deering and the whole crew for doing what you're doing.

As much as I love the old prewar Gibson's as well as Ome banjos, Deering is doing some exciting things for the banjo world. Deering's production is ALWAYS driven by the customer first. This is why they make a very wide array of different banjos for different tastes, but also they are always supportive of custom orders. They have a friendly and informative online presence in the form of newsletters and emails.

I would extend my invitation to those who are long-time or new Deering enthusiasts to share their thoughts here on this thread.

As many of you know, I have been a big fan for my entire banjo playing "career". Ever since I tried a Sierra for the first time, close to 25 years ago at my local instrument store, I've known that Deerings are wonderful banjos. My 1983 Custom Deluxe which I found used in a local shop shortly after I moved up to the NW gave me years of joy. And recently, my custom Calico is just barely being broken in as my banjo for life.

I'm really happy to see that Deering is gaining in popularity. The fact that the people behind the company are so approachable and knowledgable is HUGE.

So let's hear from some Deering pickers!...

Edited by - DIV on 07/01/2010 11:00:15

Grey Dog - Posted - 07/01/2010:  11:05:12

I shall never part with my Golden Era.
I got a couple others, but that's my workhorse.

00373 - Posted - 07/01/2010:  11:29:49

I have three(3) and am happy. Good banjos.

JohnP - Posted - 07/01/2010:  11:37:33

Anybody wanna buy my Deering Boston with upgraded bridge, planetary tuners, and a hard case? $650

lethegoodtimesroll - Posted - 07/01/2010:  12:07:45

Janet and Greg Deering nice people.Some of the best Banjos being made today. Excellent customer service. What else is there to say?

JohnP - Posted - 07/01/2010:  12:18:49

so...who wants my Boston...? hahah

pinenut - Posted - 07/01/2010:  12:33:57

My Goodtime banjo plays and sounds better than it looks. Finding anything like that in this era is a special boon. Thank you, Deering, for my starter that I chose by accident and keep with good reason.

Edited by - pinenut on 07/01/2010 12:35:21

lucydog - Posted - 07/01/2010:  13:33:03

I'm a huge fan of my Goodtime Special Classic. Being able to buy a quality, American made instrument is amazing. Thanks Deering!

1four5 - Posted - 07/01/2010:  14:48:27

One of the often overlooked blessings of my Deering Goodtime is it's durability. I don't know where Deering gets their wood, but it's some HARD stuff and I have been playing the daylights out of my Goodtime Special for several years. Outdoors in the cold or hot Kansas sun or in a hot car or a smokey place. There is no binding to chip or crack or seperate, no fretboard to lift or crater or twist, no special plated fancy hardware to tarnish or discolor. It takes a swetting and a licking and a beating and just keeps sounding better and better and better. You can't even knock the tailpiece out of place. I bought it to save wear and tear on my heavy "professional" banjo... and it's become my professional banjo.

Max Banjer - Posted - 07/02/2010:  19:45:49

Like Grey Dog, my Golden Era will stay w/ me... forever . Others may come and go, but not the Deering.

GerryH - Posted - 07/03/2010:  15:48:32

I,too, am a Deering fan. I own a Hartford 24. Always a joy to play. I recently had the privilege to tour the Deering factory. What a treat that was!
GerryH

Bigbike4 - Posted - 07/03/2010:  18:15:50

While I may not own a Deering, I am always amazed at the innovative thinking that drives new banjo production. I saw on ebay some Deerings with pickups (much like electric guitar pickups) installed THRU the head. And of course there is the Spitfire which professionals have been using for more than a decade on stages around the world where amplification is needed. The Goodtime banjos enjoy a hugh following for nice entry level banjos, although I personally am not thrilled with not having a seperate fretboard made of ebony, hey if it works for ya and you like it, I am all for it.

Goodtime banjos probably have almost as many new pickers playing them as the imports do. And overall they are better quality (save for the fingerboards) than the bottlecaps that flood the shores.

DIV - Posted - 07/05/2010:  22:13:41

Yeah, those new pick-ups are amazing. Great idea!

What about those of you who have the Golden Era/Wreath models....? How do you like the neck profile? Does the neck shape compare to a Gibson? I know it's a bit narrower at the nut than the standard Deering, but I think it's thicker from front to back...is that right?

Grey Dog - Posted - 07/06/2010:  05:06:24

I love the neck profile, it's what makes it such a keeper.

I find it to be a *hair* thinner width than a gibson up at the nut, and yet also a bit deeper and more round-backed. The extra roundness let's me feel the tone with my left hand: Some people like resonators that feel warm against the belly, but the whole neck is rich with the low-D note.

Regarding neck taper, I cannot say.
Additionally, I cannot verify how it compares to the typical 'Deering' neck. Never had one, just the GE.

I heard that mine is a pre-automated neck, before they got some consistency machinery in place. Which explains why I've played others and found them...different. Not for me. Guess I got lucky.

Gold Star GF-85 - Posted - 07/06/2010:  07:20:34

I picked up a Classic Deering Open Back because of it's weight of only 4 pounds, I use it at night time when the wife has gone to bed, and mostly after my surgery when I couldn't pick up my other Banjos for a few months and needed to be able to play and also I take it camping, and the one big thing I liked about it - It's Born in the USA.

JohnP - Posted - 07/08/2010:  13:12:01

I sold the Deering Boston for $650 and picked up a Deering Midnight Special for a 'beater'/lightweight/practice banjo. What a great banjo for the price!

bnjojo62 - Posted - 07/09/2010:  05:08:48

I have a 1981 deering deluxe and it is one FINE banjo. I played it last night at a jam and man did it ring out. Thid banjo is built to last and every time I play it I'm very happy with the sound. It has the best looking grain pattern on the resonator I've ever seen, just beautiful. This banjo stays with me.

feldspar1333 - Posted - 07/09/2010:  06:14:30

Got to play a Deering Calico about a month ago.... oh my god. It is just an incredibly beautiful instrument. The wood grain, the finish, the binding, and most importantly.... the playability and sound!!!!
I have a new banjo to obsess about!

psikes - Posted - 07/09/2010:  08:36:40

I have to add my 2 cents here also. I am absolutely crazy about my Golden Era. What a great sound! This banjo has some pretty serious pop when it is picked on. This is my second Deering banjo and if I ever buy another (like the John Hartford model) it will also be a Deering. Great banjo, great people, what more can one ask for.

Phil

dustinTN - Posted - 07/10/2010:  08:31:40

I recently purchased a Deering Intermediate from '88 and I absolutely love it. The neck is fantastic, and I personally like the tone with the steel rim. The neck adjustments take about 60 seconds, too! It's LOUD, too, despite it's light weight. This is an awesome banjo for my purposes. If I get to the point where I can afford/justify a banjo costing thousands of dollars (and the John Harford is on the wish list), then the Intermediate will be a great travel banjo. Until then, it's my main sweetheart.

Edited by - dustinTN on 07/10/2010 08:32:17

Grey Dog - Posted - 07/10/2010:  11:42:32

quote:

---

Originally posted by psikes

I am absolutely crazy about my Golden Era. What a great sound! This banjo has some pretty serious pop when it is picked on. This is my second Deering banjo and if I ever buy another (like the John Hartford model) it will also be a Deering.

---

banjodr - Posted - 07/10/2010:  18:41:50

Dan isn't it weird we can't get that excited about a handpiece? ha good posts

mullie1 - Posted - 07/10/2010:  20:47:46

Gotta love Deering! I started playing (and loving) the banjo about 20 years ago with an Earl Scruggs Mastertone......but due to many factors had drifted away from it for quite a while. Recently I bought a Goodtime 2 and got hooked again. Then I jumped in head-first and bought a Sierra and I have never been happier. The sleek neck, the great sound, the quality workmanship, and the fantastic customer follow up from Deering has made me a lifetime fan and brought the joy of the banjo back to my life. Janet Deering's presence on this board; Carolina's nice customer service; and the top notch quality of Deering banjos cannot be understated. I also received 3 months free on Tony Trischka's site from Deering and my enjoyment - and banjo skills - have never been better. Thanks Deering!

DIV - Posted - 07/22/2010:  10:08:54

Just a little update here. I just added a 2001 Deering GDL to the family and I'm really impressed. This is a model I've always had my eyes on and now I own one...it's a great feeling.
I was blown away by the tone. Classic! Very responsive! I wish I could be home playing it instead of being at work writing about it!

I was planning to send it to Deering to have it upgraded with one of the new violin maple rims and 06 tone rings, but now I'm having second thoughts. It's GREAT just like it is!!!