Deering Goodtime 5 String Banjo Open Back - Blonde

The Deering Goodtime 5-String Open Back Banjo is a highly regarded, American-made instrument that has become a benchmark for quality and value in the entry-level banjo market. Its core design philosophy is to provide a playable, great-sounding banjo without the costly, intricate details of high-end models.

Here is a detailed breakdown of its key features:

Core Concept & Sound:

• Open Back Design: This is the key distinguishing feature. Unlike a resonator banjo, the Goodtime has an open back. This results in a softer, more mellow, and less "punchy" sound. It's the preferred style for old-time, folk, and "clawhammer" players who want a more traditional, warm, and plunky tone. It's also much quieter than a resonator banjo, making it ideal for practicing at home.

• Tone: The all-maple construction gives the banjo a bright, clear, and vibrant tone. Even with the open back, the 3-ply maple rim provides excellent volume and a round, full-bodied sound with great note separation.

• Purpose: It's designed to be lightweight, durable, and easy to play, making it a perfect choice for beginners, travelers, and players of all ages.

Construction & Materials:

• Made in the USA: A significant selling point is that the Goodtime is handcrafted in Deering's California workshop, ensuring a high standard of quality control and craftsmanship.

• Neck Wood: Slender Rock Maple. Maple is a very hard and stable wood. The neck is designed to be slim and fast-playing, making it comfortable for players of all levels. It features a Deering "fiddle-shaped" peghead.

• Pot: The "pot" is the body of the banjo. It features a 3-ply violin-grade maple rim, which is the same high-quality wood used in Deering's professional-level instruments. This rim is the heart of the banjo's vibrant tone.

• Head: It comes with an 11-inch frosted top high-crown head, a standard for modern banjos.

• Hardware: The banjo is built with a steel tension hoop, a patented Deering Goodtime tailpiece, and 16 flat J-hooks with nuts.

• Tuners: It comes equipped with reliable sealed geared tuners on all five strings, including the 5th string. This provides excellent tuning stability and is a major upgrade from the friction pegs found on many cheaper banjos.

• Bridge: It features a Deering Goodtime "Smile" Bridge made of maple with an ebony top, designed for good tone and responsiveness.

• Frets: It has 22 pressed-in nickel silver frets.

• Finish: The entire banjo, including the neck and pot, has a durable and comfortable satin finish that protects the wood while allowing it to resonate freely. The "blonde" finish highlights the natural color of the maple.

Specifications:

• Scale Length: 26 1/4 inches.

• Rim Diameter: 11 inches.

• Nut Width: 1 1/4 inches.

• Weight: Approximately 4.5 lbs. This makes it a very lightweight option, which is great for practicing for extended periods or traveling.

Overall Impression:

The Deering Goodtime 5-String Open Back Banjo is an excellent choice for:

• Beginners: Its high quality and playability mean that it's a banjo you can learn on and grow with for many years.

• Clawhammer and Old-Time Players: The open-back design is perfect for these traditional styles of music.

• Travelers: Its lightweight and durable construction make it a perfect "travel" banjo.

• Anyone seeking a great value: It provides American-made quality and a professional sound at a very accessible price point.