I let my first Gumby Goodtime go, and always regretted it. I’ve come full circle over the last 20 years, and have traded my tone ring heavy banjos, for light simple open backs. Always wishing I still had the old Goodtime. I started looking for one 6 months ago, only to find they are hard to find, and going for insane prices. After getting outbid several times on eBay, I decided the next time I see one for less than $400, anywhere, I’m buying it. Two weeks ago I found one at a Guitar Center across the country, and bought it on just one photo, for $350.
I got exactly what I was hoping for. All original. Straight neck, hardly played, no fret wear, and the earliest version, with the original hex shaped shoes. So from 96 or 97. I tightened everything up, restrung it, dished the bridge to compensate for the years of sag, intoned it (it was almost an inch off!), and set the head tension to my liking. I added an arm rest from my junk box, and it’s good to go. It plays like butter and sounds possibly better than I remember. The old tuners work great. I also added side dots to the neck with a sharpie, just like I did on my first one
I even used it at a church dinner party last weekend. I won't be letting this one go
Yes, the hex shoes 
!
I mentioned in another BHO thread working on a comparison of rims with the same hardware accompanied by the exact same neck, co-rod, strings, and tailpiece. The rims include one original Goodtime and one 3-ply "modern" one. I've done all sorts of measurements and recordings to quantify how they're different. But most folks just care about the sound when you play. Of course, they're different. You're free to like what you like, but I think l it's silly to say one is better. I do think that the original has more pop and and is more in-your-face. (I gave up long ago trying to understand people's words for the quality of sounds.)
With these samples, I tried to play and record as identically as possible: 11 ply and 3 ply.
A revolutionary banjo. That much cannot be denied. Arguably the best "beginner banjo" in the history of the instrument.
I appreciate the new rim, but I do wish they'd bring back the gumby headstock.
It’s hard to think of those original Goodtime Banjos are now getting on the verge of being vintage.
Probably more people have been introduced to the banjo on Goodtimes in the past 40 years, than folks whose first banjo was the ubiquitous Harmony banjos in the late 50’s and 60’s.
Great you found what you were searching for.
David, those recording sounded so close, I couldn’t tell much difference. Let’s just say there would be more difference between different picks, that the rims you used. After over 20 years of banjo tweaking, and owning several professional level banjos, as well as 4 Goodtimes, three of which I currently own, I think the ply’s of the rim is of little to no significance. I own two modern 3 ply Goodtimes, and now the vintage Gumby, and I think the sound is 99.8% set up, string selection, head selection, head tension, picking style/pick selection/ X-Y position, and bridge….and maybe, just maybe .2% rim ply’s.
I’d LOVE to see the Gumby head come back. Leave the fancy stuff for the deco models… and I’ve never liked the way the guitar tuners look with the newer headstock anyways. Gumby with the guitar tuners just works
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quote:
Originally posted by Alvin ConderIt’s hard to think of those original Goodtime Banjos are now getting on the verge of being vintage.
Probably more people have been introduced to the banjo on Goodtimes in the past 40 years, than folks whose first banjo was the ubiquitous Harmony banjos in the late 50’s and 60’s.
Great you found what you were searching for.
After finding out how hard it was to find one at a sane price, and seeing the insane prices some of them are getting, and seeing how fast they are bought up, I have to wonder if they haven't already achieved some kind of cult vintage status, not unlike the thousands of run-of-the mill Telecasters that people collect.
The only time I've played GTs was passing in a store. Several times I have been surprised by how good they sound. I wonder how often they have neck warp without a metal neck reinforcement versus if it is overkill to have the reinforcement in most banjos? The lighter weight is nice. Guitar tuners I've seen last a long time. banjered
Dean is right about my sound comparison. What little differences I can identify seem similar but less in magnitude than things you can get otherwise -- through set-up, technique, and swappable parts. It's clearer in my recordings of single plucks, where I had greater control over consistency of plucking and recording technique..
There are very clear differences in the sound of just tapping on the head or rim. But, by the time you're listening to played music, those effects are levels removed from the action.
I'm interested in how the differences come about. One bonus of the effort was a bit of a surprise in how "thin" rims work somewhat differently, i.e., a different piece of the physics seems to be most relevant.
"Yawn"? It beats working, and I get to play in my office.
quote:
Originally posted by banjeredI wonder how often they have neck warp without a metal neck reinforcement versus if it is overkill to have the reinforcement in most banjos?
As much as I prefer necks with reinforcement, I believe that as long as an owner uses nothing higher than the original Deering Light strings -- 10-11-13-21-10 -- actual history is most Goodtime necks do fine.
Is a truss rod in other necks overkill? I don't think so. There's a benefit in better setup by being able to dial in precise neck relief. And in case a neck does develop up-bow, the truss rod can correct that.
Would most banjos do fine without reinforcement? Maybe not if players want to use heavier strings.
I just love the Gumby ref - perfectly described!??
The real Gumby creator explained that the head shape was inspired by a photo of his uncle. As a kid, he thought the elaborate hairdo was actually a "wisdom lump."
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