Good Time Banjo








The Goodtime Banjo Logo
 

The Goodtime Banjo by Deering

Package No.2

 

The Goodtime banjo was a dream of Greg Deering's to produce a great sounding, easy to play and easy to maintain banjo that everyone could afford.

 

The Goodtime banjo is made in America, within the Deering factory and is designed to produce the finest tone and playability possible for the lowest possible price. The rock maple neck has the frets fitted into the neck the same way many of the classic (now collector's item) electric guitars in the '60's were made and are still made today. This technique has passed the test of time. The neck has a slender, low profile that makes it a joy to play for hands of all sizes. The fret work is precise and accurate and Goodtime banjos have an ever growing reputation for having clear and beautiful intonation. Several dealers have told us at Trade shows that the Goodtime banjos have better tone and playability than other banjos they sell for over $1,000.00 (unsolicited comments). The tuning machines are all geared with a geared fifth peg for effortless and precise tuning. The position markers on the fingerboard are inlaid dots of black delrin.

 

The Goodtime rim is made of a rock maple and birch laminated rim. Laminated in the same style as the classic banjos from the 20's, this rim is durable, stable and produces a clear, sweet tone. Most banjos in this price range have rims of aluminum which has good structural integrity but cannot compare to the tone of the seasoned hardwoods used in the Goodtime rim. Some companies advertise a "hardwood" rim but don't tell you what kind of wood is actually used. Rock maple and birch are very similar in hardness and both have a vibrant resonance that cannot be duplicated with softer hardwoods. Yes, there are hardwoods that are relatively soft and cannot sound like maple or birch. Don't be misled. Ask what the woods actually are.

The diameter of the rim is a standard 11" so heads are easy to find. There are 16 brackets and a patent pending adjustable tailpiece designed by Deering. The tailpiece follows a traditional style and allows thorough and complete adjustments to the playability of the banjo. The metal parts are nickel plated.

 

The Goodtime banjo is played by top professionals, travelers, beginners and everyone who wants a high quality banjo for a low price. Since it's introduction there have been copycat banjos imported to compete with the Goodtime and we encourage you to compare them. You will find that virtually all of them have emphasized the appearance instead of tone and playability. The Goodtime banjo is designed for easy playing and sparkling, vibrant tone. In the final analysis, the Goodtime banjo is truly in a class by itself and is only overshadowed by banjos costing 5 times as much. Don't settle for a high gloss imitation with plastic inlays that do nothing for sound or playability. Get the only low priced banjo made in America that was made to be played; backed up by a family owned and operated company that has dedicated 25 years to producing the finest banjos money can buy.

The Goodtime 2 Banjo by Deering

The Goodtime 2 banjo is proof that an easy to play, good sounding, high quality, American made banjo doesn't have to be expensive. The Goodtime 2 is a resonator version of the Deering Goodtime banjo that was and is not only great sounding, economical and light weight, but extremely popular.

The Goodtime 2 banjo has a rock maple neck that is slender and low profile. The frets are precision fitted directly into the rock maple neck just like on the most famous electric guitars made in the '60's (now collector's items carrying very high prices). The neck is fast and easy to fret and fits large and small hands. The tuning machines are all geared including the fifth peg. Tuning is accurate and easy. The precision fretwork gives the Goodtime 2 beautiful intonation up and down the neck. The fingering area has dot position markers of black delrin. The finish is satin in the natural rock maple blond color.

The Goodtime 2 pot (or main body) assembly has a multi-ply rock maple and birch rim. The rim is laminated in the same style as the classic banjos of the 1920's and produces a sweet, clear tone that has been compared to banjos costing three times the price. The 16 brackets are held by traditional bracket shoes. The nickel plated two piece resonator flange is mounted underneath the bracket shoes and adds tone enhancing weight and a finishing touch to the appearance of the resonator/pot assembly. The maple resonator is attached to the pot by small screws through the resonator flange. This makes access to head adjustments simple and easy.

The Goodtime 2 banjo is made to be played. It is designed to be the very best sounding, easy to play and adjustable banjo available for the lowest possible price. Banjos in this price range usually have thick, high gloss finishes and lots of plastic inlays; both of which are clearly for catching the buyers eye and trying to look like more expensive instruments. In every case, the tone and playability of the instruments is ignored and these banjos are frustrating to tune, adjust and play. With rims made of aluminum, they have a far less desirable tone. Deering puts all of the design and building emphasis on tone and playability.

The Goodtime 2 banjos are simple cosmetically, but the tone and ease of playability far surpasses any banjo on the market at this price. Don't buy an 'empty' banjo that is made to LOOK fancy. Buy the American made and designed Goodtime 2 banjo and enjoy playing music, not just hanging your banjo on the wall. Deering Banjo Company makes the broadest line of banjos of any maker in the world. We are banjo specialists. We don't make motorcycles, guitars, and washing machines. We don't make "product", we make BANJOS and have for over 25 years. Every banjo we make gets the attention, care and affinity that you deserve in your banjo and that you expect.

Deering Banjo Company Unveils The "Goodtime Special" Banjo

Goodtime Special Banjo

Deering Banjos fill the hottest selling "gap" in the market today with the exciting new Goodtime Special banjo. Based on the popular, best selling Goodtime and Goodtime 2 banjos, the maple neck and resonator banjo is now hand-fitted with the new "Goodtime Special Tone Ring," creating a tone and playability that rivals banjos costing 4 times more.

The banjo market has been hungry for an American made, quality banjo in the mid-price range that plays and adjust easily and has a responsive, bright, and crisp sound. "Customers don't mind spending the money for a mid-priced banjo, but generally don't want to buy an import in that price range..." says one Deering banjo dealer. One of America's number one pop music groups, the Dixie Chicks, are having a similar effect on the banjo that the Beatles had on the electric guitar. Since the Dixie Chicks feature a banjo prominently, the banjo is now being seen by millions around the world and young people are buying banjos to emulate their favorite artists.

The Goodtime Special banjo perfectly fills this demand for a hand made, better than entry level, mid-priced banjo from America's premiere banjo maker.

Goodtime Special Open back Banjo
with tone ring

 

      Because of the slender, low profile  neck the Goodtime Special is easy to play and comfortable for large and small hands.  The slender profile is the same one that is found on the much sought after upper line Deering models. The neck is made of rock maple. This hard, dense wood is very strong and stable. The fretwork is precise for accurate intonation over the entire fingerboard.      The standard 11” diameter multi-ply rim  is made of rock maple and birch. But it is the Special steel tone ring that gives this banjo more power, sustain, and ring. The tone ring is made from 1/8” steel and has the shape of a bluegrass style tone ring. The sound is clear, with some of the Goodtime banjo sweetness and yet, it has some of the bell-like “ping” that is desired in more expensive banjos.      The Goodtime Special Open back model weighs about 5 pounds making it ideal for traveling, camping or picnicking on the beach!

 

 goodtime special

Deering Goodtime Short Scale 'Irish' Tenor Banjo

The Deering Goodtime USA built short scale tenor banjo. Excellent for playing tunes, the short 17 fret scale makes it easy to access to those top 'B's! ... and easier for players with short fingers that don't like the 'long stretch' on standard scale tenor banjos!

Tenor banjos are available in open back, or with resonator, and with or without tone ring.


goodtime tenor

Deering Deluxe Gig Bag

For resonator or open back models to fit the whole range but state model when ordering. These bags are very distinctive with the best art work we have ever seen (the Deering eagle embroidered onto the bag)

£35.00

deering-gig-bag


Notes & Options

Left handed versions of most models are also available.

Good time range: Various models with pickers plus head stock (banjo shaped as opposed to normal Goodtime shape, at extra cost)

Some models available with different stains, matt, gloss finish, light and dark stains. There is an extra cost to all of these specials.

Goodtime Banjos do NOT come with pre fitted 5th string capo spikes or with a case. Goodtime 2 and

Contact us for the best prices on all banjos, and for a friendly chat and the best advice on buying your banjo from a long time Deering player.

Audio Sample of Dan Garrett playing the Goodtime on
" Exodus 15" from his album Who's Gonna Fill My Shoes
17 sec 353k WAV