Hello everyone I just wanted to say Hello and introduce myself. Hello everyone my name is Racca and I'm a new Banjo-holic. I just purchased my first banjo, a used 10 year old Deering Goodtime 2, and I love it. I had to take the pot apart when I got it due to the tension hoop not being seated properly on the rim of the head, I learned alot from that experience. I also changed the strings (as the previous owner had strings on there from the day he bought it). My first lesson was earlier today and the instructor was please with everything I already knew. I decided to start playing Banjo due to a recent, stress induced, medical issue and I have always wanted to play, so what better time to learn then now.
The other reason I wanted to post was to ask a couple of questions. As I said I have the Goodtime 2 (I removed the resonator and flange) that I will be playing Clawhammer on (decided to learn that first). I have an affinity for tinkering with things and like to upgrade and work on things myself. There is already a Renaissance Head on its way to me to replace the frosted head currently on it. I would also like to upgrade the bridge (stock Deering bridge) and replace the open geared tuners on the peghead. I eventually want to reshape the peghead to something a little more appealing to mea and possibly stain it darker. What I would like are some links to some bridge recommendations and tuner recommendations.
12 Comments |
 | bluejazz says:
11/9/2014 4:27:39 AM
Hi, and Welcome.
I have a Goodtime II and when I went looking for a bridge I spoke with Bart Veerman here on the Hangout. He fixed me up with a bridge that was far superior the stock bridge. Here is url to his homepage here.
banjohangout.org/myhangout/mus...p?ID=5526
Good Luck
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 | Yankee 37064 says:
11/9/2014 5:02:31 AM
Welcome! You're going to have a great time!
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 | rudykizuty says:
11/9/2014 6:36:57 AM
Snark is my favorite tuner on the market.
elderly.com/accessories/items/...K-SN8.htm
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 | BDCA says:
11/9/2014 9:47:36 AM
Sell the Goodtime and buy this:
banjohangout.org/classified/47370
Save yourself the time, trouble and $$ and you get a better banjo. I love the better Deerings but clearly you want to put lipstick on a pig.
Cya!
Bob
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| bluejazz says:
11/9/2014 10:17:12 AM
Don't listen to the 'lipstick on a pig' business (or the hawking of another instrument you 'should buy'). If the Goodtime you have is in good shape its just fine for where you are right now and should remain so for quite a while.
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| bluejazz says:
11/9/2014 10:34:40 AM
Don't listen to the 'lipstick on a pig' business (or the hawking of another instrument you 'should buy'). If the Goodtime you have is in good shape its just fine for where you are right now and should remain so for quite a while.
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Playin the radio says:
11/9/2014 1:51:19 PM
BearRacca,
Welcome. I am the owner of a couple of Deering Goodtimes, dearly love them and will advise you to carefully consider Bob's (BDCA) advise.
What you have is a well built light duty basic instrument. For all the coin and time you put into it, you will come out with a strong building skill set and an instrument at best that has maintained it's resale value (you won't get your money spent on the extras back) with other used Deering GT banjos.
Put a price on your spend before you spend. I did get a set of new Deering tuners through ebay to replace the Howdy-Doodie bat ear tuners on my Gumby head GT to clean up the looks and make it easier to purchase case. A bridge and strap is something you can keep and move to your next banjo. I'm looking for a third used GT so I can have a hide head and gut/pseudo gut string combination but in all aspects there comes a point that's beyond putting a $10 saddle on a $2 mule.
Get the head tight, learn to set the bridge so you can play distinct notes up the bridge, (5 string 16 fret should sound a 1/2 note higher then 1 string 14 fret), learn to set the neck for best action and play the crap out of it. But keep building your purse and keep you eye open for the one you're trying to change this into.
The best to you for which ever path you chose.
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 | BearRacca says:
11/10/2014 12:02:43 AM
Thank you guys for the advice. But I'm not trying to change this into anything else. The more I tinker with it the more I will learn and the more I will enjoy it. I have no expectation to get any money back on my investment in to the banjo. What I do want to do is enjoy her for as long as I have her (which I'm hoping is going to be till she falls apart from playing her to much). As I said in the original post I like to tinker with things I own. I tend to learn and appreciate anything I have worked on myself even more then the things I buy that are of higher quality.
On a side note to BDCA and with all respect, I will be sticking with Deering for all my future banjos. I would rather spend the money to buy something made in the US then something else. And that is for no other reason then my own personal principals. When I do finally upgrade from this Goodtime I will be getting a higher quality banjo from the Deering lineup. I have played a few already and love their sound over all the other brands I have tried out.
Rudykizuty - Thank you for the recommendation of the Snark tuner. I bought one the day I got the banjo and really do like it. But that isn't that I was referring to when I asked for tuner recommendations. I am wanting to replace the open geared tuner pegs currently on it, to some closed gear tuners and was wondering if there were an recommendations that way I can keep an eye out for some.
Bluejazz - I run a forum and a large group on another subject here in Texas and have learned to deal with negative comments over the time I have been doing that. The "lipstick on a pig" comment isn't anything new to me. I have had people tell me that and similar things for alot of the DIY projects I have undertaken. I appreciate the support though.
I'm still hoping I will get some more recommendations to check out. I will be contacting the forum member that was recommended for the bridge and see what he has to offer. But for now I will keep on pickin' and wait to see what other constructive advice comes in.
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 | brakeslide says:
11/19/2014 1:44:32 PM
The Goodtime was my first banjo. I like you, need to tinker and understand how things work. I put some good tuners on from Deering that cost about 1/2 what I paid for the banjo. I learned how to put my own railroad spikes in, learned how to change heads, strings and adjust bridges. I believe I have a Bart V bridge on it now. I learned my rolls, my chords, my pull offs and hammer on's with this banjo. I have had several banjos since I first bought the Goodtime and although its no longer my main banjo which is a Stelling it was the Deering that started this adventure for me. I still have the GT and it still gets played a couple times a month just because. Good luck on your new adventure.
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 | dewbanjo says:
11/29/2014 10:37:15 AM
Ok, so nobody really answered as to what "bridge" you might use. Click on my avatar and see my Deering...
I put a "Moon" bridge on mine... it kind of helps with the strings.... I "think" it was part of haw players "Zepp" there Banjos... go to his web site for possible more details and maybe order a moon bridge (Zepps Music store)...
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| dewbanjo says:
11/29/2014 10:39:28 AM
Opps, you will have to click on all photos to bring up the photos .... have fun playing!!
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| BDCA says:
12/5/2014 6:19:38 AM
>>>On a side note to BDCA and with all respect, I will be sticking with Deering for all my future banjos. I would rather spend the money to buy something made in the US then something else.<<<
One of my favorite banjos is a Deering GDL. It is a beautifully made and decorated instrument and sounds fantastic. So I don't argue with your choice of Deering, but the Goodtime is my least favorite banjo. Of course cognitive dissonance is usually in play with those who have bought them, until they get their next banjo. Good luck!
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