Deering Goodtime II Resonator 5-String Banjo

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 writes: "Deering Banjos of Lemon Grove has just released the Goodtime Banjo. Over the past ten years Greg Deering has put hours of research and development into the Goodtime banjo to create an excellent banjo that produces a good sound for the person learning to play either bluegrass or clawhammer style. He designed the Goodtime banjo specially for the person who wants a reasonably priced banjo that is worth taking home.

It comes with a one year warranty. At this time Deering's limited production is currently being sold only through their top 50 dealers (Folk of the Wood included)."

Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2002 11:22 PM

Hello, I'm a beginner, but this goodtime 2 rocks!! I bought it, along
with the 2 hour video from Folk of the wood, and believe me, every
beginner should invest in that video. I'm making good banjo sounds
already, and my neighbor hasn't complained yet. (that's something,,,he
must be hard of hearing). Thanks for making a terrific instrument that I
could afford. Curtis

Date: Wed, 21 Aug 2002 21:17:09 -0700

Dear Curtis,
Thanks for your recent . We love hearing from our customers and we
are glad that you are having such a great experience with your Goodtime
2 banjo. Mickey at Folk of the Wood is a great dealer and you are quite
right about his video. I have viewed it and think it is quite
inspirational and fun to use! Let us know if we can ever be of any
further help and we appreciate the compliments.
Sincerely,
Carolina Bridges
Deering customer support

Date: Mon, 05 Aug 2002 19:27:42 -0400
Subject: Loving the Goodtime II

Mickey, I want you to know how happy I am with the new Goodtime II. I spent a good deal of time on your web site and Deering's researching my choices. I want you to know that I have been using the Internet almost from day one and must say that yours is one of the very best I have seen. The video samplers and high res images are spectacular!

As a beginner stringed instrument player, I feel I made the best decision in choosing the Goodtime II. It is very easy and comfortable to play. The tone and volume are perfect for my home playing as I have hardwood floors that reflect the sound well. The Goodtime has a beautiful sound that even makes mistakes sound good! It is as loud as I would want for now.

The construction of the Goodtime is very simple and well done. The quality of the neck, rim and resonator is exactly as I had hoped. The Rock Maple neck is so dense and beautiful that I may have a hard time accepting anything else in a higher end banjo. I'm just not into the stained and highly glossed finishes. Also the light weight makes it very easy to handle.

I ordered my Goodtime II with a Shubb 5th string capo and reverse tuning machines. For the small upgrade price to do this, I think I will get more playing enjoyment and utility out of my Goodtime.

Your staff was very pleasant and helpful in the process. FOTW had accidently sent me your "Intro to Dobro" video when I ordered the "Intro to Banjo" video. I offered to mail the Dobro tape back but the very nice customer service rep said to keep it as I might one day decide to explore the Dobro. My "Intro to Banjo" video arrived a couple of days ago and I have saved it to open for my birthday.

And finally, your online lessons were a great help. After only about 10 days of 15 minute practice sessions, I am now playing Wildwood Flower in lesson #6 with only minor pauses. Can't wait to see your video. BTW the Dobro video is very good and my wife and I love your playing!

Thanks for FOTW and I hope this may help other beginners like me make their decision when buying their first banjo. I wish you the best success with your company.

Thank you,

Rudy Bennor

Subject: G'time 2
Date: Tue, 20 Aug 2002 23:13:25 -0700

Mickey, I got my Goodtime 2 last weekend, in fine condition, and your 2 hour video. Am I ever glad I got that video. I'm already making decent banjo sounds, and I would advise any beginning player to consider the video as a necessary adjunct to the banjo. I'll probably wear out the vcr, but who cares? It's the banjo. Thanks a million, Curtis

Date: Mon, 6 May 2002 15:02:04 -0400
My Goodtime II arrived today safe and sound, and what a beautiful instrument! Thanks for everything, I'll be sure to come back to Folk of the Wood when my progress warrants an upgrade.

Thanks,
Mark

Date: Fri, 23 Jun 2000 Mickey, I doubt you care to hear this but I am so impressed with the "goodtime 2". This is a very nice,easy to play banjo with a nice tone and lots of volume when set up properly! I am truly amazed! jon 5 banjos this year! a deering "golden era", ibanez "artist"(archtop), gibson "scruggs standard" goldstar archtop and now a DEERING GOODTIME 2!

Date: Thu, 21 Oct 1999 Hi Everybody! Just wanted to take a minute to thank you for all your support and good wishes while I was making my decision to purchase my Deering Goodtime Banjo. I've had it for about a month or so now and "I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!!!!" It's fits me very well, it's small and light and it sounds fabulous! Even my teacher can't help but comment at every lesson, how nice it sounds. He's very impressed with the quality. I love playing it. It has already become a close and dear friend. I look forward to many, many years of playing my Goodtime banjo and hopefully someday, with a little luck and a lot of hard work, I'll play well enough to complement its good looks and sound. Just had to share my joy. Thanks again for everything. Sincerely, Linda S. Maki

Date: Thu, 29 Jul 1999 Hi, Mickey, Just wanted to let you know the Deering Goodtime banjo arrived last night. I think it's great, beautiful sound. My wife played around on it a little, and she sounded good. positive feedback on the way. Thanks again, Bill

Date: Wed, 1 Sep 1999 Hi Mickey, Picked up both banjos this morning at the post office. All in good condition, thanks. I havent tried the Sierra yet but the Goodtime sure has great sound for an inexpensive instrument...thanks again, Jeff