Deering Goodtime Two Banjo With Resonator - Maple - Made in USA

The Deering Goodtime Two Banjo with Resonator is a classic and highly respected 5-string banjo. Made in the USA, it is a staple for beginners and intermediate players looking for an affordable, high-quality instrument with a traditional bluegrass sound. Its core philosophy is to provide a well-made, playable banjo without the expensive frills.

Here's a detailed breakdown of its key features:

Core Concept & Sound:

• Resonator Back: The key feature distinguishing the Goodtime Two from its open-back cousin (the Goodtime) is the resonator. This is a flat wooden plate on the back of the banjo that projects the sound forward, away from the player.

• Tone: The maple construction gives the banjo a bright, punchy, and clear tone with excellent note separation. The addition of the resonator enhances this tone by increasing volume and projection, giving it the characteristic bright "twang" that is essential for bluegrass music.

• Purpose: It's designed to be loud and cut through in a jam session, making it a fantastic choice for bluegrass, country, or folk players who need to be heard alongside other instruments.

Construction & Materials:

• Made in the USA: A significant selling point for this banjo is that it is handcrafted in Deering's California workshop using the same tooling as their higher-end models, 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.

• Pot: The "pot" is the round body of the banjo. It features a 3-ply violin-grade maple rim. Deering is known for using this high-quality maple, which contributes significantly to the banjo's vibrant, resonant tone.

• Resonator: The resonator itself is a 3-ply poplar/poplar/maple laminate, also with a blonde satin finish to match the rest of the instrument.

• Hardware: The banjo is built with a standard 11-inch frosted top high-crown head, a beveled steel tension hoop, 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 makes tuning easy, accurate, and stable, which is a major benefit for new players.

• 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, pot, and resonator, has a durable and comfortable satin finish that protects the wood while allowing it to resonate freely.

Specifications:

• Scale Length: 26 1/4 inches.

• Rim Diameter: 11 inches.

• Resonator Diameter: 13 7/8 inches.

• Nut Width: 1 1/4 inches.

• Weight: Approximately 6 lbs. This makes it a very lightweight option for a resonator banjo, which is great for playing for extended periods or traveling.

Overall Impression:

The Deering Goodtime Two 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.

• Bluegrass Players: The resonator provides the volume and projection needed for this style of music.

• Travelers: Its lightweight and durable construction make it a perfect "travel" banjo that you don't have to worry about.

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