Hi,
Just got my hands on a Goodtime Special. This model has the peghead glued to the top of the neck. It seems to me that the peghead is slightly loose. When I put pressure on top of the peghead it creates a small gap in the joint between the neck and the peghead (If I drag my finger over the joint it also feels rather uneven). Is this normal for Goodtimes? If not, is it something that can be repaired easily? Overall the banjo plays well and stays in tune ok.
Edited by - emeejl on 01/14/2025 13:37:41
I'm no luthier, but seems to be if the head is loose, when you put tension on the strings, it could cause the head to come off!!!
My Goodtime is finger jointed and solid; I wish all the inexpensive banjos joined the head with finger joints instead of lap. I think El Kabong may have visited your banjo.
quote:
Originally posted by pinenutMy Goodtime is finger jointed and solid; I wish all the inexpensive banjos joined the head with finger joints instead of lap. I think El Kabong may have visited your banjo.
I think you might be right. Found this very interesting thread: https://www.banjohangout.org/topic/401395. Looks like I'm not the first...However seems to be a 80$ repair which sounds hopeful.
quote:
Originally posted by TexasbanjoI'm no luthier, but seems to be if the head is loose, when you put tension on the strings, it could cause the head to come off!!!
Looking at the finger joint, it's only a small part where the glue has come off, so there's still a lot of glue holding the peghead in place.
All Goodtimes have gued-on headstocks.
While the joint *can* come apart, it rarely does.
Should not be an expensive repair.
.... head? ..... or peghead?
The original poster of this thread said peghead.
Thanks for all the replies! I am currently in contact with the dealer, so hopefully they can fix this.
quote:
Originally posted by pinenutMy Goodtime is finger jointed and solid; I wish all the inexpensive banjos joined the head with finger joints instead of lap. I think El Kabong may have visited your banjo.
I think the Goodtime way is much less wasteful of material. I appreciate that.
Most any crack/separation like this, I just pry it open a bit, inject some glue, clamp it down for a day. I've got some repairs going on 10 years that haven't moved so I figure it works.
While it may be ugly because of its visibility on the blond Goodtimes, I would think the greater gluing surface of Deering's finger joint makes for a stronger connection. But failures do occasionally happen.
Grafted headstocks are not confined to cheap instruments. The RK-35/36, Gold Tone OB-150, and Gold Star GF-85 all have or had grafted headstocks and also stacked heels. It's my understanding that grafting headstocks is the traditional construction approach for classical guitars. It does reduce waste. And I believe increases strength at the weakest part of the neck.
If you bought it NEW, the store should repair or replace the banjo.
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