hoodoo - Posted - 10/14/2017:  07:40:55

Its an attractive looking banjo, but is it worth the hundred extra dollars or so, compared to the original americana?

deeringbanjos.com/products/goo...americana

bluegrassbanjopicker - Posted - 10/14/2017:  08:40:57

No, it's not.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but you most likely want a banjo which you won't be disappointed with. Don't invest in anything less than what you really need. 

I honestly believe Deering has ridiculously jacked-up prices for banjos which should, in that price range, come with a flathead tone ring of some sort. They have hyped up the Goodtime line (and their other banjos) with a lot of fancy talk. "Artisan" is one example. 

 You can find a nice, old flathead banjo (Fender, Recording King, Gold Tone) for less than $889 if you're patient and look in the right places. Reverb has a good selection of these. I highly encourage you to pass on the Goodtime for later and purchase a used, full-fledged bluegrass banjo instead. You will not regret the decision.  I'm speaking from my own experience here. I personally would never suggest a Goodtime for a new, prospective banjo player. That may sound harsh, but that's just me. 

Edited by - bluegrassbanjopicker on 10/14/2017 08:51:44

hoodoo - Posted - 10/14/2017:  09:17:47

I like the normal Americana and even think its sharp looking, I was just curious to know if there was a difference, besides esthetic, between the two.

mparker762 - Posted - 10/14/2017:  09:22:41

Did you bother reading OP's post, or are you just retarded? Why would you assume OP wants a bluegrass banjo or a flathead ring when his post talks only about non-resonator open-back models - even though Deering makes several goodtime models with (including an open-back) with flathead tone rings?

OP, the main difference besides the stain color, is that the artisan americana has a separate fingerboard with their "midnight maple" whereas the standard goodtime has an integral fingerboard (i.e. the frets are just inserted into the neck).  the main advantage to this the fingerboard can be replaced if it gets worn or damaged.  the "midnight maple" fingerboard is maple that has been pressure-stained so the stain goes all the way through.  it also look pretty killer, if the Lotus Blossom I've played with was at all representative.

Edited by - mparker762 on 10/14/2017 09:26:22

bluegrassbanjopicker - Posted - 10/14/2017:  09:28:41

I'm not retarded. Far from it. 

I apologize for thinking the OP wanted a bluegrass banjo. 

If the OP wishes, he can by all means purchase the Americana. 

hoodoo - Posted - 10/14/2017:  11:20:05

Hey, no need to start bickerin' here! But thank you both for your input

DC5 - Posted - 10/14/2017:  12:18:52

quote:

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Originally posted by mparker762

OP, the main difference besides the stain color, is that the artisan americana has a separate fingerboard with their "midnight maple" whereas the standard goodtime has an integral fingerboard (i.e. the frets are just inserted into the neck).  the main advantage to this the fingerboard can be replaced if it gets worn or damaged.  the "midnight maple" fingerboard is maple that has been pressure-stained so the stain goes all the way through.  it also look pretty killer, if the Lotus Blossom I've played with was at all representative.

 

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Another difference is the tuning pegs, the Americana uses planetary tuners, and the original gootime uses geared guitar tuners.

mparker762 - Posted - 10/14/2017:  13:17:54

also, the original goodtime had a different shaped peghead, often called the "gumby peghead", the newer models have the usual deering peghead shape.  Also, the americana has a 12" pot, whereas the other goodtimes have an 11" pot. This is actually the most important difference because it affects the sound - the bigger pot is fuller, bassier, plunkier.  Whether this is what you want is another question.  some people prefer the more balanced tone from a 11" pot, some people prefer more plunk.  but that 12" pot is part of why its more expensive.

 

Edited by - mparker762 on 10/14/2017 13:22:21

hoodoo - Posted - 10/14/2017:  14:03:18

I like the look and sound of the first Americana (based on multiple YouTube videos), I just think that the Artisan Americana is sharp looking. I only play as a hobby, so I'm just looking for something fun, good looking and durable that will last me a while and an instrument that I can continue to develop and work on my modest skills. I'm tempted by other more expensive custom made models, by small time luthiers, but that will have to wait

Bill Rogers - Posted - 10/14/2017:  19:24:50

I'm letting it slide to keep the important stuff in the posts, but surely we don't have to hurl insults at posters when we think they made a mistake.

rcc56 - Posted - 10/14/2017:  23:36:28

Zach Hoyt can build you a 12" open back in this same price range.

starhopper - Posted - 10/15/2017:  08:14:15

FWIW, I have yet to be disappointed with ANY Deering Banjo I have owned, from the basic Goodtime open back, Goodtime Americana, Sierra, Eagle II, and the John Hartford models. They were all made with superb attention to detail and all made in the USA by Greg Deering and his great folks in California. They know what to focus on when it comes to value in a serious instrument.

loonsailor - Posted - 10/15/2017:  08:25:04

I still like my original Goodtime II very much, though I do own much more expensive instruments now as well. Not sure about the differences, but I will say that the guitar tuners on the original are just fine - better, in fact, than many planetary tuners that I've tried, even if they don't look "banjo-y". It plays great, and the no-tone-ring tone is great for when I want to play quietly. I also use it as a lightweight travel instrument.

I've added side dots, spikes, and a Bart Veerman teak bridge, all of which have been great upgrades.

John Gribble - Posted - 10/15/2017:  19:12:13

quote:

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Originally posted by hoodoo

Its an attractive looking banjo, but is it worth the hundred extra dollars or so, compared to the original americana?



deeringbanjos.com/products/goo...americana

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That's a very personal decision. The three apparent differences between the two models are the finish, the planatary pegs rather than the guitar-style, and the seperate fingerboard (the standard Goodtimes don't have a second piece of wood for the fingerboard/fretboard). 

To me, the differences are mostly cosmetic. To some buyers this is important, to others, not so much so. I think either of the banjos would be a fine player. And you can probably shop around for a price. 

hoodoo - Posted - 10/16/2017:  02:47:20

Thanks for the input. I think that the original model will be fine for my current needs and desires

Craig_B - Posted - 10/16/2017:  06:56:49

Toss a coin. That sounds like a facile response, I know, but in my experience, there are times when you think you really don't have a preference between two choices, so you do this, and when you see the result you may think to yourself you need to toss it again for a best-of-three run. If that happens, it's a pretty safe bet which way you really wanted to go in the first place, even if you didn't realize it before the coin toss.

Edited by - Craig_B on 10/16/2017 06:57:16

hoodoo - Posted - 10/16/2017:  10:05:10

Yeah. I also want to have something to look forward to. I don't want to throw a hail mary right now and buy the most expensive banjo that I can afford. I want to be able to have a quality instrument to pursue my progress, but then keep saving up for an even better quality instrument.

DC5 - Posted - 10/16/2017:  13:39:55

quote:

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Originally posted by starhopper

FWIW, I have yet to be disappointed with ANY Deering Banjo I have owned, from the basic Goodtime open back, Goodtime Americana, Sierra, Eagle II, and the John Hartford models. They were all made with superb attention to detail and all made in the USA by Greg Deering and his great folks in California. They know what to focus on when it comes to value in a serious instrument.

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I concur, loved my Sierra, and still love my goodtime classic, the fore runner to the Americana.  Traded the Sierra for the Rickard only because I was mostly playing clawhammer now, and the Sierra was very heavy.