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Folk of the Wood presents
Introduction to the Goodtime Banjo
Four Goodtime Banjos to Choose From:
1. The Goodtime I Open-Back Banjo
2. The Goodtime II Resonator Banjo
3. The Goodtime Special I Open-Back Banjo
4. The Goodtime Special II Resonator Banjo
The Goodtime I Open-Back Banjo
The Goodtime banjo has a slender, low profile neck that is easy to finger and comfortable for large and small hands. The fret work is accurate and precise to ensure accurate intonation over the entire fingerboard. The single coordinator rod in the pot easily and effectively adjusts the playability so that the strings are close to the fingerboard and are easy to press down. All five tuners are geared and easy to tune. The tailpiece is extremely strong and easily adjustable to maximize tone by raising or lowering it.
The Goodtime banjo weighs about 4 pounds so it is light enough for children to hold and play and is ideal for traveling, camping, hiking, taking to the beach and provides a vibrant singing banjo tone in any situation.
The multi-ply pot is made of birch and maple. Both woods are hard and dense and contribute to the bright crisp sound of the Goodtime banjo.
The Goodtime II Resonator Banjo
The Goodtime II banjo is fast and easy to play due to the slender, low profile, rock maple neck. The single coordinator rod in the pot allows the player or technician to adjust the action to suit the players needs.
The standard 11" diameter rim is a combination of birch and rock maple. The 16 brackets and standard rim diameter make head adjustments easy and simple and the availability of replacement heads is simple since the heads are the same size as almost all modern banjos (11" high crown).
The maple resonator has a natural blond maple finish with a single black binding strip around the back edge. The resonator fastens to the banjo by machine screws that thread into brass wall lugs on the side walls of the resonator. Access is easy and simple.
The Goodtime II is equipped with all geared tuning machines for easy, accurate, and stable tuning. The maple and ebony bridge and top frosted head give a crisp, bright sound.
The Goodtime Special I Open-Back Banjo & The Goodtime Special II Resonator Banjo
The Goodtime Special I & II are both fast and easy to play due to the slender, low profile of the neck. Comfortable for large and small hands, this slender profile is the same one that is found on our 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 to ensure accurate intonation over the entire fingerboard.
The standard 11” diameter multi-ply rim of the Goodtime Special is made of rock maple and birch. These are premium tone woods in any grade. They contribute a sweet, full, bright, crisp, clear, and sparkling sound to all the members of the Goodtime line of banjos. Couple these with the Goodtime Special steel tone ring and you have a banjo with 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. It can be played very soft and fairly hard and has good balance. The resonator on the Goodtime Special banjo gives an additional punch and driving power that is considered essential in many musical styles. The maple and ebony bridge and top frosted head increase the crisp, bright sound of the banjo.
The single coordinator rod in the pot easily and effectively adjusts the playability so that the strings are close to the fingerboard and are easy to press down.
All five tuners are geared and easy to tune. The Goodtime tailpiece is extremely strong and easily adjustable to maximize tone by raising or lowering it. The 16 brackets and standard rim diameter make head adjustments easy and simple and the availability of replacement heads is simple since the heads are the same size as almost all modern banjos (11” high crown).
The Goodtime Special II resonator model weighs only 7 pounds while the openback weighs slightly less due to the absence of the resonator and nickel-plated flange. This makes both of them ideal for traveling, camping or picnicking on the beach!
Further info on The Goodtime Banjo by Deering
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.
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)."
Testimonials:
Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2003 15:05:20 -0800
Dear Folk Of The Wood,
I received my order last Wednesday, November 12, 2003. You certainly
are fast. My Goodtime Banjo was ready to go right out of the box. The gig
bag and accessory package are truly a great value. I am so pleased to
have found your site on the internet, I wouldn't hesitate to order from you
again. Thank you so much for such prompt and excellent service.
Sincerely, D. E. Knurek
Date: Sun, 9 Dec 2001 13:54:00 EST
Subject: banjo
Just wanted you to know that we received the GoodTime banjo and absolutely love it. What a great looking and sounding instrument. Thanks for your prompt service.
Shyloah and Rob
Date: Fri, 10 Aug 2001 13:14:10 -0400
Dear Bryan,
I just received the Good Time--thanks so much for your help. It is a
beautiful banjo! I don't know anything about banjos, except that my mom has
always wanted to play...I needed the rush delivery for it to arrive in time
for her 64th birthday.
You guys run a great operation
thanks again!
Meredith Greene
Date: Tue, 03 Jul 2001 16:13:37 -0700
I recently purchased a Goodtime model from you and absolutely love it. I'd been trying to learn clawhammer on an old make-shift Alverez 5-string, and it just wasn't working out. The second I tried the Goodtime, I was in love. (Another satisfied customer.) Now, that I know what it's like to play a real banjo, I'm starting to get seriously interested in owning a real bluegrass banjo. So, I'm interested in your pricing on Deering's Sierra, with case and without.
Thanks for the Goodtime banjo. It was a great price/package, and I simply couldn't be more pleased.
Mike
Subject: goodtime banjo
Date: Sun, 13 May 2001 10:32:31 -0700
Dear Mr Cochran, I did not order the goodtime banjo through the internet, but from a superstore. This gave me the opportunity to compare it with several others. First, I picked up a $350 dollar washburn, and then a $550 dollar gibson. They both sounded rather lousy. However, there were two other banjos on the shelf that I figured to be a waste of time to even try. One was an incredibly ornate $3600 dollar banjo and the "rather modest" goodtime banjo. In a last ditch effort I picked up the goodtime banjo, which I thought to be more like a tambourine with strings, and played it. To my complete and utter amazement, this banjo was far superior to every other banjo I had played. It was clearer, brighter, easier to play, and three times as loud. In utter disbelief, I assembled a group of customers and asked them to listen and compare. Everyone who did was equally impressed. For fun, I pulled down the $3600 banjo and added it the showdown. The $3600 banjo was warm, rich and beautiful, but lacked the brightness and sheer volume of the "gootime". All things considered, no one in the store, even with their backs turned, preferred the sound of the $3600 banjo over the $250 goodtime.There is something about the simplicity of this design and the open back, which give it a sizeable advantage over any banjo I have ever heard or played. If you are a serious player and care more about sound than cosmetics, this is probably the best banjo you can find for any amount of money.
Brad Anderson
recording artist and engineer
Date: Mon, 19 Mar 2001 I just wanted to send you a quick note to let you know that my Deering Goodtime (and gig bag) arrived today, safe and sound. It was set up quite well; in fact, despite its trip across the Atlantic, it was only a teeny-tiny bit out of tune. I couldn't resist playing it right away, and I am extremely pleased with its excellent playability and intonation. While I bought this as an office/outdoor/travel instrument so my "main banjo" can remain safely at home, I can see why this model is so highly recommended for beginners. This is one terrific little banjo. Thanks again for your excellent service. Kindest regards, Mark
Date: 15 Jan 2000 Dear Mr. Cochran, The Goodtime arrived yesterday, and I love it! Thank you very much. I am very happy that I decided to purchase the banjo from Folk of the Wood. It's a great package for a great price! I'll be sure to spread the word. Ben Moore
Date: Sun, 16 Jan 2000 Greetings my new friends at Folk of the Wood! Just dropping a note to let you the Deering Goodtime Banjo I ordered from you arrived in perfect condition! It is everything you described it to be and more. We are looking forward to many hours of music making pleasure. Thank you very much for your help and advice in choosing this instrument. Sincerely, Ben Parker
Date: Tue, 21 Nov 2000 Mickey: She unwrapped the deering goodtime banjo and LOVES it! Thanks for the picks and the strap. I can't tear her away from the thing now, and now she is starting to learn 'frailing'. Thanks again, I promise all of our future banjo needs we will come to you with. Missy
Date: Tue, 30 May 2000 I'm enjoying the Goodtime banjo I bought from you guys! Brad Darrington
Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 Hey Mickey, Got both banjos and they're great; great price, service. I mean, I figured I'd LIKE the banjo, but I really love it and the way it plays/sounds; I've been clawhammering myself silly. I'm mainly a sort of jam-rock-jazz-fusion guitar player and have enough freaky effects boxes to fill a truck...what I'm wondering is, can you recommend a good pickup for my banjo that might give decent results when running through effects? I am not so concerned about reproducing all the subtle woody/acoustic tones of the banjo as I am in getting a good strong signal to my boxes, so I can fool around with it using loops, etc...anyhow, thanks alot! Brett
Date: Mon, 27 Dec 1999 Dear Mickey, My Deering banjo arrived today. It's a real beauty. I tuned it and haven't been able to put it down. It's really a lovely, well made piece. The online pics are great, but it's even nicer to see in person. .I'll keep you updated, but for now I'm going to read the book and try to get some of the fingering positions down. Thanks for the chat on the phone the other day. You're a great person to do business with and I'd love to meet you in person sometime if/when I get to NM! Again thanks for the great instrument. I know it'll bring me much joy! Sincerely, William G. Miller (Bill)
Date: Sat, 25 Dec 1999 Mickey, I opened the banjo that Mary bought from you last night and it knocked my socks off! Thanks for giving her such a great deal. It's a very well made banjo and I'm absolutely tickled with it. I've been driving her nuts with it and I suppose I will until I learn how to play it properly. There is a big difference from the guitar and it's been almost 30 years since I played anything with strings, but I absolutely love it!!! Thanks again, Dan Breitenstein
Date: Wed, 22 Dec 1999
Hi Mickey, Just wanted to let you know that I received my banjo in good shape yesterday and I love it! Thank you. I've conquered lessons 1 - 5 on your free internet lessons and really appreciate having that to get started with. Ready for lesson 6!! Thanks again, Kate Kinney
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 haven't tried the Sierra yet but the Goodtime sure has great sound for an inexpensive instrument...thanks again, Jeff
Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 Hey Mickey, Got both banjos and they're great; great price, service. I mean, I figured I'd LIKE the banjo, but I really love it and the way it plays/sounds; I've been clawhammering myself silly. Brett
The Goodtime Banjo Video Clip!
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