You might be better off experimenting with different heads and bridges ( and save a lot of money too…).

This includes trying to install a rawhide head which is a lot of fun!

Not worth the cost. Better to get a tone-ring banjo if that’s what you want. BTW, Dobson and Silver Bell rings are quite different (and there are 3 styles of Silver Bell rings). You’ll need to decide which you want and why.

I did go with a Snuffy Smith compression compensated bridge which I’m very happy with, but a $2500 plus banjo is just a dream for me. I’m thinking maybe I could get the sound I’m looking for for around $400 all in. Then again I could be woefully mistaken.

I would say that it is possible. I put a Dobson onto one of those cheapest Chinese banjos on the market. There was a fair bit of work in it. I’m not familiar with Goodtimes so I don’t know the specifics of what’s involved.

Pictured is a Bacon tone ring I put on a Deering Goodtime.  The Bacon ring is dished up verus the Dobson, which curves away from the head.  Otherwise, they're very similar.  Their effects are dramatic, but I'd be surprised if anyone could hear a difference between the two.  My own effort at fitting it on a lathe wasn't too good.  So, I enlisted a pro.  This was really just a step along the way to making an internal resonator banjo like the Bacon ff Professional.

What you do with your time and money is your business.  For me, this was one of my most satisfying banjo projects.  Comparisons with and without different rings and backs all featured the same standard mylar head.  But now, in retirement, the banjo sports a skin head and is one of my favorite players.

I posted sound comparisons on-line.  If you want played music as opposed to single plucks you have to dig, but they're there.  The whole saga is at https://www.its.caltech.edu/~politzer/, where you have to scroll down to April and June 2016.  (My, how time flies!)

Adding an internal resonator is MUCH easier and cheaper. My constructions in the photo simply screw on to the bottom of the rim. (I'm fussy, I installed threaded inserts and used machine screws.) The impact on the sound is much greater than anything you can do with a tone ring. The assortment in the photo helped sort out what does what and how much. After I was done with them, I stuck with the standard Bacon dimensions for a banjo to play.  I also mounted similar constructions on other instruments, bolting a couple of the pipe clamp gizmos to the back and then hooking around a co-rod.

I have installed Rickard Dobson rings on Enoch Tradesman banjos with GREAT results! There are archived threads on the BHO discussing this.

One thing to keep in mind is that Rickard tone rings are slightly under-size. Their 11" tone ring fits a 10 7/8 rim. The 12" tone ting is approx 11 7/8". From what I understand, they are made to fit Keller drum shell rims. Those drum shell rims are made to accept outer veneer coverings and thus are smaller that the "advertised" outside dimension.

I don't know if the tone rings that Balsam Banjoworks (Pisgah) sells will fit or not. I would inquire before ordering.

I know someone in the UK who had this done. She seems pleased with the results. But I remain skeptical about the return in value - hard to believe it's worth the price.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Frederick B

I did go with a Snuffy Smith compression compensated bridge which I’m very happy with, but a $2500 plus, brand new, banjo is just a dream for me. I’m thinking maybe I could get the sound I’m looking for for around $400 all in. Then again I could be woefully mistaken.

---

Dobsons and Silver Bells are different.

 - What sound(s) are you looking for?   

 - What are your current string sizes?

 - What tailpiece is on the Goodtime?

 - What head is on the Goodtime?  Tension?

note:  the new 3ply Goodtimes sound great and have a lot in common with the tone of a dobson mounted directly to the wood without a rolled ring interface...

note:  Plain Dobsons without a rolled ring tend to be quiet and have a warm mid-range voice.  Silver Bells tend to have more tinkle and a higher voice.

quote:

---

Originally posted by Frederick B

I did go with a Snuffy Smith compression compensated bridge which I’m very happy with, but a $2500 plus banjo is just a dream for me. I’m thinking maybe I could get the sound I’m looking for for around $400 all in. Then again I could be woefully mistaken.

---

Have a look around for a Gretsch 9455 Dixie Special. Excellent instrument (especially for the used price). They're similar quality to Gold Tone's higher-mid range (compared to the MM-150 I used to have, the Gretch holds its own). I did make a few modifications -- tuners, bridge, tailpiece, and brackets -- but it was already pretty decent as it was.