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 ARCHIVED TOPIC: Easy fix for old Goodtime out of round rim


Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/408250

Dean T - Posted - 04/20/2026:  18:47:26

Today I went through the old Goodtime 2 I got from Goodwill. Everything is basically new (NOS)… except, the action, was way high, even with a nice straight neck. I’ve seen this before, and measured the roundness of the rim. Sure enough, String pressure from sitting in the closet for the last 25 years, warped the top of the rim inward about 1/8”. The tension needed to correct anything with the single lower co-rod was WAY too much, and just made things worse.



So, I went to ACE, got some threaded rod, nuts, and washers. $4.06 total. Drilled holes in the rim, installed the rod, cranked it out to set the rim back to round, put it all back together, and the action is perfect, and it plays and sounds great.



This might be a common issue (?) … as it’s the second old style gumbyhead Goodtime I’ve had, with the same problem, that I’ve fixed easily with this method. The best part is that the rim is stabilized for life, and should never warp again.

Edited by - Dean T on 07/21/2026 11:33:34


Added rod inside Goodtime


Gumby Goodtime 2


Rod added to Goodtime 2 to fix out of round


Goodtime 2 overhaul


pinenut - Posted - 04/20/2026:  19:34:39

quote:
Originally posted by Dean T

This might be a common issue (?) … as it’s the second old style gumbyhead Goodtime I’ve had, with the same problem, that I’ve fixed easily with this method. The best part is that the rim is stabilized for life, and should never warp again.





+1



I've added the second rod to fix a warped gumby rim (plus they sound better).  Yes, I think it's common.

Edited by - pinenut on 04/20/2026 19:35:16

Dean T - Posted - 04/21/2026:  06:16:28

quote:
Originally posted by pinenut

quote:
Originally posted by Dean T

This might be a common issue (?) … as it’s the second old style gumbyhead Goodtime I’ve had, with the same problem, that I’ve fixed easily with this method. The best part is that the rim is stabilized for life, and should never warp again.





+1



I've added the second rod to fix a warped gumby rim (plus they sound better).  Yes, I think it's common.





It really sounds surprisingly good. I thought about adding the second co-rod conventionally, to the existing hanger bolt, but availability and cost and hassle was a consideration. Also, when thinking about the leverage involved, I decided to go with the much cheaper, readily available, and much better mechanical advantage of the threaded rod. Once I got the rim round, the lower rod was installed neutral, and action came out perfect. I think not having a ton of preload on the bottom rod, really helps vibrations. 

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