Buddur - Posted - 08/10/2012:  17:00:21

I'd take up Timmo 1949's offer.  Check out his Save The Banjos site, he's done alot of restoration, and done just as much to Goodtimes. 

You could even ask for advice regarding clamps and glue and do it yourself, which may be your best route if you want it to travel with you soon.  For what it's worth, it may not be perfect aesthetically, but it'll be fixed AND a great conversation piece.

Edited by - Buddur on 08/10/2012 17:01:25

hektic - Posted - 08/10/2012:  17:21:17

In my initial email I did forward them a link to this topic. So im sure they (or at least someone from Deering) know that this story is being read.

And yes I am a bit disappointed with their decision and agree that If it were my company I would replace the neck just for mere damage control.

Oh well, In my eyes they are still a great company that build great banjos, and although its to my misfortune and I do have a slight bad taste in my mouth I would still buy a Deering banjo if the opportunity presented itself.

My next step is to see how much it will cost me to ship it to and from timmo, and compare it to what it would cost to fix it here. Weigh my options considering my time constraint. I would rather have timmo fix it though, I'll have to see.

I'm also gonna link this thread to Janet's "Deering Discussions" thread because whether she agrees or not about the company's decision she should be aware of it.

Edited by - hektic on 08/10/2012 17:29:05

slou92 - Posted - 08/10/2012:  18:04:41

Looking at the pictures, even if it was dropped that joint should have not failed like that.  I think it reflects poorly on Deering that the joint failed like that and they did not offer to fix that under warranty.

Just my opinion of course, but that's just poor.

Harreec - Posted - 08/10/2012:  18:20:36

Certainly doesn't speak very highly of Deerings skill level if they cannot repair a break of that nature. I have repaired a 12 string guitar broken where the peghead joins the neck as well as a mandoin with a snapped neck. Both of these instruments are still in use three years later. Finger joints have tremendous strength if properly cut and glued.

erikforgod - Posted - 08/11/2012:  13:19:14

Well I am an owner of two Goodtime banjos my Goodtime Crow and my Goodtime scooped neck classic. I could see if this was a break due to misuse, abuse or poor care, but this really seems to be an issue of a fingerjoint that probably wasnt glued/set-up properly and was set to eventually fail. My question is: "Are the glued areas of the fingerjoints on both of my Deerings set to fail at a specific un-benounced timeframe? and if so, will I get the same cold stiff necked "factory" style QC excuse response as this gentlemen? This gets a well deserved at least "D-minus" on my customer satisfaction report card and I think it serves them to do better. Send the man a new Goodtime neck and free of charge. I think this is why luthiers charge more, but treat you better and the quality is no compare. I know we cant compare apples to oranges but I think Deering can do a little better than this. And to charge him U$S 199 for a new neck seems a bit steep.

AND...if the neck they replace it with is another old Gumby stock...that gets an F+ on my customer service report card

Edited by - erikforgod on 08/11/2012 13:21:23

BANJO TONY - Posted - 08/11/2012:  13:57:21

hold on a minute he did buy it used. I can't see him getting the neck for free. I think a hundred dollars would be fair price or whatever it cost them to make it,minus tuners which he could take off the broken neck.

Paulf - Posted - 08/11/2012:  14:46:41

quote:

---

Originally posted by BANJO TONY

hold on a minute he did buy it used. I can't see him getting the neck for free. I think a hundred dollars would be fair price or whatever it cost them to make it,minus tuners which he could take off the broken neck.

---

 Agree, the neck should be sold at cost price only.

Montanarick - Posted - 08/11/2012:  15:12:36

Banjo Tony and Paulf.....Normally I would agree 100% with both of you on this. The thing that bothers me about this one is that I think it was a glue failure, that originated during the building process, and that it was going to fail at some future date, regardless of who owned the banjo. And, if you look at those photos, it can be fixed, which is all hektic wanted from the start. Their QC guy brushed that off and said it couldn't be fixed. In doing remodeling work over the years I've ripped out a lot of cabinets......the "finger" joint usually survives while everything else under the sledge hammer shatters. So, they should fix it or if they don't want to do that.....give him a neck.....they should at least have someone talk to him that knows what they're talking about. Finally, since this darn finger joint is one of the primary things people like to criticize Goodtimes for, I think it would be a great opportunity for Deering to take care of the customer while reafirming that the finger joint is good, failures are extremely rare, but when they do occur.....Deering makes is right.

Edited by - Montanarick on 08/11/2012 15:14:57

Paulf - Posted - 08/11/2012:  15:39:55

You are right.  Deering should ask for the neck to be sent in so they can determine why it failed and whilst it was there repair it as the cost to them would be minimal but as Banjo Tony stated it is a secondhand purchase and Deering have decided that they need not have to cover it under warranty  which is a shame.  My agreement with the above statement is that since it is not covered by warranty at least Deering should only charge cost price for a neck which I feel would be a lot lower than $199. 

Patrick Hanna - Posted - 08/11/2012:  16:01:32

I can't see evidence of a wood failure ANYWHERE in your photos. This is a glue failure, and that surprises me, but there you have it. I'll bet the manufacturer would want to know about this, and I wouldn't be surprised if they will fix it, regardless of the fact that you are not the original owner.

Montanarick - Posted - 08/11/2012:  16:48:38

quote: Paulf...you're right too......customer service means working with the customer to try and solve a problem.....a discounted neck might have solved this one.....Regards, Rick

---

Originally posted by Paulf

You are right.  Deering should ask for the neck to be sent in so they can determine why it failed and whilst it was there repair it as the cost to them would be minimal but as Banjo Tony stated it is a secondhand purchase and Deering have decided that they need not have to cover it under warranty  which is a shame.  My agreement with the above statement is that since it is not covered by warranty at least Deering should only charge cost price for a neck which I feel would be a lot lower than $199. 

---

erikforgod - Posted - 08/11/2012:  16:53:11

quote:

---

Originally posted by BANJO TONY

hold on a minute he did buy it used. I can't see him getting the neck for free. I think a hundred dollars would be fair price or whatever it cost them to make it,minus tuners which he could take off the broken neck.

---

Ok fair enough...I agree, but at a reduced price maybe no?

Dexter - Finally, since this darn finger joint is one of the primary things people like to criticize Goodtimes for, I think it would be a great opportunity for Deering to take care of the customer while reafirming that the finger joint is good, failures are extremely rare, but when they do occur.....Deering makes is right.

This is a good point Rick I wholeheartedly agree!! It is an excellent opportunity for Deering to come through on this and put to rest this whole fingerjoint controversy..

Edited by - erikforgod on 08/11/2012 16:57:54

jwoods - Posted - 08/11/2012:  17:25:13

quote:

---

Originally posted by hektic

I called Deering  and talked to a rep on the phone, he asked me if it just came unglued or if it was caused by a trauma. Im honest in this situation and Im pretty sure it did not just come unglued, it came apart very cleanly but it does look like it suffered some kind of stress and did not just come unglued.

He told me to take some pictures and send them in anyways for them to examine. I'll post them up here once I get them all set.

---

The OP said in a previous post above that it looked like it suffered some kind of stress, so I don't think that puts Deering on the hook to fix it, or replace it free of charge.

The OP is not the original owner, so no one really knows how this banjo was treated before he bought it.

A brand new neck at $199 is a pretty good deal...

Edited by - jwoods on 08/11/2012 17:30:17

Montanarick - Posted - 08/11/2012:  17:48:46

quote:The stress or trauma most likely occurred from the 30 plus pounds of string pressure pulling the headstock off the neck when the joint failed. That's also probably how the small crack/s happened. Finger joints rarely, if ever fail like this unless there is a glue problem and Deering knows this. The trauma in this case is that the joint failed.

---

Originally posted by jwoods

quote:

---

Originally posted by hektic

I called Deering  and talked to a rep on the phone, he asked me if it just came unglued or if it was caused by a trauma. Im honest in this situation and Im pretty sure it did not just come unglued, it came apart very cleanly but it does look like it suffered some kind of stress and did not just come unglued.

He told me to take some pictures and send them in anyways for them to examine. I'll post them up here once I get them all set.

---

The OP said in a previous post above that it looked like it suffered some kind of stress, so I don't think that puts Deering on the hook to fix it, or replace it free of charge.

The OP is not the original owner, so no one really knows how this banjo was treated before he bought it.

A brand new neck at $199 is a pretty good deal...

 

---

Edited by - Montanarick on 08/11/2012 17:49:35

jwoods - Posted - 08/11/2012:  17:52:50

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dexter

quote:The stress or trauma most likely occurred from the 30 plus pounds of string pressure pulling the headstock off the neck when the joint failed. That's also probably how the small crack/s happened. Finger joints rarely, if ever fail like this unless there is a glue problem and Deering knows this. The trauma in this case is that the joint failed.

---

Originally posted by jwoods

quote:

---

Originally posted by hektic

I called Deering  and talked to a rep on the phone, he asked me if it just came unglued or if it was caused by a trauma. Im honest in this situation and Im pretty sure it did not just come unglued, it came apart very cleanly but it does look like it suffered some kind of stress and did not just come unglued.

He told me to take some pictures and send them in anyways for them to examine. I'll post them up here once I get them all set.

---

The OP said in a previous post above that it looked like it suffered some kind of stress, so I don't think that puts Deering on the hook to fix it, or replace it free of charge.

The OP is not the original owner, so no one really knows how this banjo was treated before he bought it.

A brand new neck at $199 is a pretty good deal...

 

---

 

---

And how do you know this for sure on this banjo?

Edited by - jwoods on 08/11/2012 17:54:20

Mountain Blue - Posted - 08/11/2012:  18:07:49

I learned in wood shop many moons ago that a proper glue joint is supposed to be stronger than the surrounding wood. That doesn't say much for this glue joint.

Joe

jwoods - Posted - 08/11/2012:  20:29:57

quote:

---

Originally posted by Mountain Blue

I learned in wood shop many moons ago that a proper glue joint is supposed to be stronger than the surrounding wood. That doesn't say much for this glue joint.

 

Joe

---

Depends on how the joint is stressed...no one knows for sure why it failed. I'm sure there is more than one possibility...

The neck is not new, and the OP is not the original owner. 

I think Deering is making a fair offer for a brand-new, completely finished, ready to install neck...

Edited by - jwoods on 08/11/2012 20:38:48

Montanarick - Posted - 08/11/2012:  21:04:57

quote: jwoods...I don't know anything for sure....

---

Originally posted by jwoods

quote:jwoods....I didn't say I know for sure....I wasn't there.....That's why I used words like "most likely," "probably"  and that "finger joints rarely, if ever fail like this unless there is a glue problem." I do have quite of lot of experience in  construction and have dealt with a lot of wood issues including scarf and finger glue joints. If you look at the pictures and examine the joint failure, a likely conclusion is that the glue failed. And as a carpenter, I can tell you without a doubt and that I am sure that this joint can be repaired, even though the "QC" person says it cannot. If you read my other entries on this thread and many other posts I have made....you will find that I am a big Deering fan and a constant Goodtime supporter. I also own a Goodtime.....but, this time I think they got it wrong.

---

Originally posted by Dexter

quote:The stress or trauma most likely occurred from the 30 plus pounds of string pressure pulling the headstock off the neck when the joint failed. That's also probably how the small crack/s happened. Finger joints rarely, if ever fail like this unless there is a glue problem and Deering knows this. The trauma in this case is that the joint failed.

---

---

And how do you know this for sure on this banjo?

 

---

jwoods - Posted - 08/11/2012:  21:34:04

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dexter

quote: Paulf...you're right too......customer service means working with the customer to try and solve a problem.....a discounted neck might have solved this one.....Regards, Rick

---

Originally posted by Paulf

You are right.  Deering should ask for the neck to be sent in so they can determine why it failed and whilst it was there repair it as the cost to them would be minimal but as Banjo Tony stated it is a secondhand purchase and Deering have decided that they need not have to cover it under warranty  which is a shame.  My agreement with the above statement is that since it is not covered by warranty at least Deering should only charge cost price for a neck which I feel would be a lot lower than $199. 

---

 

---

Seems like a discounted neck is being offered...

Have you checked prices for finished Rock Maple necks?

Montanarick - Posted - 08/11/2012:  22:14:45

quote: After this reply you're going to have to argue with yourself........Goodtime....which once again as I've said to you before, I am a fan.......keeps their costs of building this banjo down in various ways.....so that they can offer a good American made banjo at a "reasonable" price. One of their cost saving strategies is to make a neck of good quality maple....with a finger joint (resulting in less lumber per X necks than traditional neck design)......also they do not have a truss rod and they do not have an ebony or rosewood fingerboard like most banjo necks. They have no where near $200 dollars in these necks (my opinion) and it's very hard to compare these necks pricewise to other finished necks on the market that include the features that I mentioned.

---

Originally posted by jwoods

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dexter

quote: Paulf...you're right too......customer service means working with the customer to try and solve a problem.....a discounted neck might have solved this one.....Regards, Rick

---

Originally posted by Paulf

You are right.  Deering should ask for the neck to be sent in so they can determine why it failed and whilst it was there repair it as the cost to them would be minimal but as Banjo Tony stated it is a secondhand purchase and Deering have decided that they need not have to cover it under warranty  which is a shame.  My agreement with the above statement is that since it is not covered by warranty at least Deering should only charge cost price for a neck which I feel would be a lot lower than $199. 

---

 

---

Seems like a discounted neck is being offered...

Have you checked prices for finished Rock Maple necks?

 

---

Paulf - Posted - 08/11/2012:  23:13:26

quote:

---

Originally posted by jwoods

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dexter

quote: Paulf...you're right too......customer service means working with the customer to try and solve a problem.....a discounted neck might have solved this one.....Regards, Rick

---

Originally posted by Paulf

You are right.  Deering should ask for the neck to be sent in so they can determine why it failed and whilst it was there repair it as the cost to them would be minimal but as Banjo Tony stated it is a secondhand purchase and Deering have decided that they need not have to cover it under warranty  which is a shame.  My agreement with the above statement is that since it is not covered by warranty at least Deering should only charge cost price for a neck which I feel would be a lot lower than $199. 

---

 

---

Seems like a discounted neck is being offered...

Have you checked prices for finished Rock Maple necks?

 

---

 I did do a quick search but found nothing on the cost of a new GT neck.  The price of $199 seems to me like a retail price as a lot of retail prices have the figure '99' in the price.  The GT neck might be cheaper than other maple necks as there is no truss rod and the design is quite simple.   Since some shops sell the complete banjo for around $399  Deering must sell to them for a lot less if they still make a profit.   

jwoods - Posted - 08/11/2012:  23:18:02

Dexter,

No argument at all, just a difference of opinion on resolution.

I do know the how and the why of the Deering Goodtime neck construction...thanks.

I also know that Greg Deering is an honest business person who builds quality products.

However, the warranty is clear. Deering at this point has decided not to make an exception.

That is their prerogative.

Edited by - jwoods on 08/11/2012 23:19:57

sampson - Posted - 08/11/2012:  23:21:32

I dunno.  This strikes me as clearly a glue failure.  I have been researching this lately (trying to fix my own broken neck banjo) and everything I read says a properly glued joint is going to be stronger than the wood around it.  So It is very clear that this joint should not have failed.  However!  It is perfectly common practice that if you do not buy something from an authorized dealer, you are not entitled to warranty coverage. 

For instance I bought my banjo off craigslist.  I got a steal on it because it was already broken.  If I were to call up Hohner and ask for a replacement neck on my banjo they wold rightfully tell me to kick rocks, as I have no receipt and no warranty card.  And if I had bought it new in new condition from a dealer at full retail price and brought it back with a neck failure they probably would replace the whole banjo.  I think If I bought a perfect condition used banjo a few years ago and the neck joint failed like this, I would just sand, glue, and clamp it up (or epoxy and clamp) re-install and proceed with life.  after all a clamp or two and epoxy will only set you back less than $20.00

jwoods - Posted - 08/11/2012:  23:22:23

quote:

---

Originally posted by Paulf

quote:

---

Originally posted by jwoods

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dexter

quote: Paulf...you're right too......customer service means working with the customer to try and solve a problem.....a discounted neck might have solved this one.....Regards, Rick

---

Originally posted by Paulf

You are right.  Deering should ask for the neck to be sent in so they can determine why it failed and whilst it was there repair it as the cost to them would be minimal but as Banjo Tony stated it is a secondhand purchase and Deering have decided that they need not have to cover it under warranty  which is a shame.  My agreement with the above statement is that since it is not covered by warranty at least Deering should only charge cost price for a neck which I feel would be a lot lower than $199. 

---

 

---

Seems like a discounted neck is being offered...

Have you checked prices for finished Rock Maple necks?

 

---

 I did do a quick search but found nothing on the cost of a new GT neck.  The price of $199 seems to me like a retail price as a lot of retail prices have the figure '99' in the price.  The GT neck might be cheaper than other maple necks as there is no truss rod and the design is quite simple.   Since some shops sell the complete banjo for around $399  Deering must sell to them for a lot less if they still make a profit.   

---

The price for a new GT on the Deering website is $499 w/o case.

jwoods - Posted - 08/11/2012:  23:30:44

quote:

---

Originally posted by sampson

I dunno.  This strikes me as clearly a glue failure.  I have been researching this lately (trying to fix my own broken neck banjo) and everything I read says a properly glued joint is going to be stronger than the wood around it.  So It is very clear that this joint should not have failed.  However!  It is perfectly common practice that if you do not buy something from an authorized dealer, you are not entitled to warranty coverage. 

For instance I bought my banjo off craigslist.  I got a steal on it because it was already broken.  If I were to call up Hohner and ask for a replacement neck on my banjo they wold rightfully tell me to kick rocks, as I have no receipt and no warranty card.  And if I had bought it new in new condition from a dealer at full retail price and brought it back with a neck failure they probably would replace the whole banjo.  I think If I bought a perfect condition used banjo a few years ago and the neck joint failed like this, I would just sand, glue, and clamp it up (or epoxy and clamp) re-install and proceed with life.  after all a clamp or two and epoxy will only set you back less than $20.00

---

It's clear the glue joint failed, but no one can really say why.

Agree totally with your second paragraph...

Even though it sucks to have a broken banjo neck, I don't think it warrants a campaign on BHO to get Deering to "do the right thing".

Paulf - Posted - 08/11/2012:  23:33:50

Read my post again.  Some shops sell the GT for $399, not talking about how much Deering sells them for as most people know that they don't sell them cheaper than the retailers they sell to, Gold Tone are the same.  Check Elderlys  or Banjo.com for starters, both have them for $399

jwoods - Posted - 08/11/2012:  23:41:04

quote:

---

Originally posted by Paulf

Read my post again.  Some shops sell the GT for $399, not talking about how much Deering sells them for as most people know that they don't sell them cheaper than the retailers they sell to, Gold Tone are the same.  Check Elderlys  or Banjo.com for starters, both have them for $399

---

I saw it the first time Paulf...thanks.

Montanarick - Posted - 08/12/2012:  08:10:06

quote: jwoods......fair enough.......differences of opinion and/or friendly arguments are a good thing.....forum would be boring without them. It was just past my bedtime last night. I'm not on a BHO campaign against Deering.....I think they are great....I'm just hung up on the fact that I think it was some type of a glue failure and it is extremely rare.....The neck on my Goodtime is as strong as concrete and it goes camping, hunting, boating and everywhere else with me. My thinking was that Deering could reinforce the fact that the overall process is very good and that failures are so rare that they will repair or replace when they believe there is a quality issue.....but you're right, it is their company and this banjo is not under warranty.....so they have a right to call it as they see it....was just looking for a happy ending, win/win for hektic and Deering......Rick

---

Originally posted by jwoods

Dexter,

No argument at all, just a difference of opinion on resolution.

I do know the how and the why of the Deering Goodtime neck construction...thanks.

I also know that Greg Deering is an honest business person who builds quality products.

However, the warranty is clear. Deering at this point has decided not to make an exception.

That is their prerogative.

 

---

Edited by - Montanarick on 08/12/2012 08:11:27

erikforgod - Posted - 08/12/2012:  08:48:52

I agree and think it is an opportunity for Deering to back up what many see as a controversy revolving around these necks as not having fingerboards or truss rods etc...

Montanarick - Posted - 08/12/2012:  11:37:08

hektic.....your duo and the Goodtime sounds great.....one way or another, I hope you get it back in shape soon....Rick

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="youtube.com/embed/HGKDMhMPFUM?..._embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> 

Grinnin&Pickin - Posted - 08/12/2012:  12:32:59

I hope Deering reconsiders its decision. As a Deering owner and long time supporter, I think they have made a BIG mistake on this one!

hektic - Posted - 08/12/2012:  12:55:02

Thanks Dexter,

We actually have our second show coming up this weekend, and have gotten quite tighter, and working on harmonies which was a difficult task for me, but really fun.

And I'm gonna have to use my Rickard Dobson this time around, which gives the music a nice, mellow and pleasing sound.

--------------

I dont really expect anything further to come out of this, I couldnt wait on Deering any longer and they already gave me thier answer, so I brought it to a Luthier who said he would fix it for 60-80$ and have it ready for me by the 24th (when I'm travelling). He actually told me that this is the second time he's seen a break of this nature on a Goodtime. This coming from a small shop, and there aren't THAT many banjo players in our city.

Like some other posters mentioned, I do not fault or blame Deering 100% as Im not the original owner of the banjo and I cannot say for certain if it suffered a trauma while in the case to separate at the joint. On the other hand, I still believed that the banjo shouldn't have separated at the joint that cleanly.

I'll post pictures of the repaired neck once i get it back.

Once again I'd just like to clarify that the intentions of this thread was not to bad mouth or slander Deering. I was just sharing what happened to me and working on the feedback I received from the community.

BANJO TONY - Posted - 08/12/2012:  19:34:38

but you would think if this is that rare that Deering would want to see it ?.maybe they know about it and it ain't that rare & thats why they don't give a life time warranty on the goodtime banjos.an were is Janet you would think she would jump in to defend there goodtime line of banjo. with so many other banjos that cost less & are better made like the RK banjos.

JMalmsteen - Posted - 08/12/2012:  22:30:21

Tony I agree with you but I think Deering wins hands down in the sound department.

erikforgod - Posted - 08/13/2012:  05:20:04

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dexter

hektic.....your duo and the Goodtime sounds great.....one way or another, I hope you get it back in shape soon....Rick

 

 

 

---

Does sound really great enjoyed this recording!!

BANJO TONY - Posted - 08/13/2012:  06:30:55

Jen at frist I thought you were the old guy with the hat,but your not.your the young good looking lady,we need more good looking banjo players like you.I love my Goodtime banjos I have 4 of them,but they should have did something for him.

banjoy - Posted - 08/13/2012:  06:41:51

quote:

---

Originally posted by hektic

I did buy this banjo used off the BHO so I am not the original owner and therefore the warranty technically does not apply to me.

Im about to call them, but here is what It sais on their site regarding the warranty.

Goodtime Warranty Information

All new Goodtime banjos carry a six year limited warranty when you send in the warranty card.

The warranty covers defective materials or workmanship. The warranty does not cover normal wear and tear, the frets, finish, or accidental damage and is not transferable to subsequent owners. Incidental and consequential damages are excluded from this warranty and we assume no liability other than for the actual repair of the instrument. Return this card to validate your warranty and receive your Banjo Maintenance Manual.

---

No matter what Deering requires to activate a warranty, pursuant to federal law, known as the Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act, you are NOT required to complete any registration for a warranty to be valid and activated. I suspect the reason your claim was denied, is because you are not the original owner. But registration can never be required as per Deering's Goodtime Warranty Information. That is contrary to federal law.

DeanT - Posted - 08/13/2012:  07:02:52

I don't think this is about warrantee. It's damage control. If I was driving in my perfectly normal late model used Ford, and for no apparent reason, the steering wheel fell off into my lap. I betchya Ford would want to know. And I bet they would do something about it before I took it to Fox news... especially if it's happened a few times and they knew about it. On a much larger scale, making it to the news could loose the company a lot of sales. I've owned a Goodtime and loved it, but because of this thread, I have more to think about before owning and trusting one again. Who knows, the glue could have a life span... and necks might be popping all over the place in the coming years?

Tim13 - Posted - 08/13/2012:  11:15:49

It's kind of funny how GRich from Recording King goes out of his way to get a new neck for a dude who's "luthier" damaged it, yet a glued finger joint coming apart gets poo poo'ed by Deering. 

Not much you can do at this point.  I'm glad you're getting it fixed.  I hope you post pictures of the repair when it's done.

Tim

banjoy - Posted - 08/13/2012:  12:07:21

I suppose I can understand Deerin'g position, more or less, but only in that the warranty does not extend past the original owner. Okay, I got that part. Understood.

What alarms me more, is Deering saying the repaid can't be done. There are plenty of competent, experienced luthiers who have already stated in this thread that it is a simple repair. This, to me, makes Deering stand alone in their opinion, which seems contrary to common sense. That is a simple repair, in my opinion as a novice (deferring to the opinions of experienced repairmen), I am unclear why Deering thinks otherwise.

Edited by - banjoy on 08/13/2012 12:08:49

OldPappy - Posted - 08/13/2012:  13:15:09

It looked lke a simple repair to me.

Deering said they couldn't repair it, so I'll keep that in mind if I am ever temped to buy a Deering banjo.

These things might sound okay, and some people sure seem to love them, but when you get down to it, there just ain't much to them.

Most people caution not to use steel strings on vintage banjos, because they don't usually have reinforced necks, but many of them at least had a center lamination for stability.

I wouldn't give $199 for the whole banjo.

Even the old Harmony's and Kays had more going for them.

BANJO TONY - Posted - 08/13/2012:  15:12:34

makes you think once they got your money its been nice kowning you,but lets remember it was bought used.also makes you wonder how they would have handle it if he bought it new & it was no longer under warranty.

Deaf Lester Crawdad - Posted - 08/13/2012:  16:17:40

quote:

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Originally posted by banjoy

I suppose I can understand Deerin'g position, more or less, but only in that the warranty does not extend past the original owner. Okay, I got that part. Understood.

What alarms me more, is Deering saying the repaid can't be done. There are plenty of competent, experienced luthiers who have already stated in this thread that it is a simple repair. This, to me, makes Deering stand alone in their opinion, which seems contrary to common sense. That is a simple repair, in my opinion as a novice (deferring to the opinions of experienced repairmen), I am unclear why Deering thinks otherwise.

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 They don't.

But they don't want to have to warrantee the repair job, either.

vernh - Posted - 08/13/2012:  21:19:38

Maybe Deering would just replace the neck instead of trying to repair it, therefore, they don't recommend repairing it. The GT was bought used and the OP said it had been stressed. I don't see how Deering is at fault here. If you buy something used and it breaks out of warranty you get to fix it. IF the manufacturer wants to make a repair out of warranty that's up to them and it doesn't reflect poorly on them if they don't IMHO.
I have a Deering now and my next will probably be a Deering.

Just my .02 cents.

erikforgod - Posted - 08/14/2012:  05:53:34

quote:

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Originally posted by Tim13

It's kind of funny how GRich from Recording King goes out of his way to get a new neck for a dude who's "luthier" damaged it, yet a glued finger joint coming apart gets poo poo'ed by Deering. 

Not much you can do at this point.  I'm glad you're getting it fixed.  I hope you post pictures of the repair when it's done.

 

Tim

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Good point!!

hektic - Posted - 08/21/2012:  12:19:33

Well, I just got her back and strung her up. She's back up and runnning and she sounds good.

They did a pretty decent repair job. I'll post some pictures later on tonight

Montanarick - Posted - 08/21/2012:  12:22:07

quote: That's great hektic.....been anxious to hear how it turned out.....Rick

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Originally posted by hektic

Well, I just got her back and strung her up. She's back up and runnning and she sounds good.

 

They did a pretty decent repair job. I'll post some pictures later on tonight

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BANJO TONY - Posted - 08/21/2012:  15:19:29

I have 4 goodtime banjos, a Special,a LTD open back only 300 made,a flat black open back & a shinny blue open back.I hope the necks out live me,by a long time I'am 57.

JMalmsteen - Posted - 08/21/2012:  16:03:16

quote:

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Originally posted by BANJO TONY

Jen at frist I thought you were the old guy with the hat,but your not.your the young good looking lady,we need more good looking banjo players like you.I love my Goodtime banjos I have 4 of them,but they should have did something for him.

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Really?!??! Hah. I love Doyle.  He's an icon. 

Well, let's just say that my new super fancy good quality Ome Magician doesn't have perfect action and I have been messing with it for days now and I never had a problem with the Goodtime. The Goodtime has been camping with us, has endured more than it should have, and just keeps on going problem free.

As far as the neck situation, from everything I know in life about business, Deering is making a really expensive two hundred dollar mistake. You need to stand behind your product, especially if you are using something that some people will question immediately after seeing it (the finger joint decision).

Edited by - JMalmsteen on 08/21/2012 16:06:25