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Deering Goodtime 5-String Banjo

4.5 out of 5 stars 190 ratings

To see product details, add this item to your cart. You can always remove it later.
Eligible for Return or Refund within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund within 30 days of receipt. You may receive a partial or no refund on used, damaged or materially different returns.

Purchase options and add-ons

Brand Deering
Size One Size
Colour Nickel
Item dimensions L x W x H 121.9 x 20.3 x 45.7 Centimetres
Top material type top frosted mylar
Back material type open-back
String material type Alloy Steel
Finish type Satin
Instrument Banjo
Item weight 1.81 kg

About this item

  • Low-profile, 22-fret rock maple neck with hardwood bow tie inlays
  • Sealed, geared tuning machines, including fifth string
  • 5/8-Inch maple/ebony Goodtime bridge with adjustable Deering tailpiece
  • Six-year warranty
  • Three-ply, 11-inch maple rim with steel tension hoop and high crown head

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This item: Deering Goodtime 5-String Banjo
$719.99
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Product information

Technical Details

Product Dimensions ‎121.92 x 20.32 x 45.72 cm; 1.81 kg
Item model number ‎GOODTIME BANJO/ GT
Back material ‎open-back
Body Material ‎maple
Colour Name ‎Nickel
Fretboard material ‎maple
Scale length ‎26.25
String Gauge ‎light
String Material ‎Alloy Steel
Top Material ‎top frosted mylar
Neck material type ‎rock maple
Number of strings ‎5
Guitar bridge system ‎maple and ebony
Material Type ‎Maple
Musical style ‎Acoustic
Region of Origin ‎north-america
Country produced in ‎United States
Size ‎One Size
Item Weight ‎1.81 kg

Additional Information

ASIN B001Q9F34W
Customer Reviews
4.5 out of 5 stars 190 ratings

4.5 out of 5 stars
鶹 Rank
Date First Available Feb. 8 2012
Manufacturer Deering Banjos
Place of Business SPRING VALLEY, CA, 91977 US

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Deering Goodtime 5-String Banjo


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Product description

The Deering Goodtime is a great banjo at a competitive price, constructed in the U.S. The Goodtime is an open-back banjo, weighing in at just four pounds, so it's ideal for traveling, camping, hiking, or taking to the beach. It provides a vibrant, singing banjo tone, and makes a great "starter" banjo, since it's well-fretted and plays easily.

Slim Neck Profile

The Goodtime banjos have 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 correct intonation over the entire fingerboard.

Satin Deering fiddle-shaped peghead with sealed, geared tuning machines.

Three-ply maple rims are standard on all Goodtime banjos.
Adjustable Action

You can adjust the action (string height) on the Goodtime banjo by adjusting 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.

Three-Ply Maple Rim

The Rim is the round wood drum part of the banjo: In 2009 Greg Deering finished new tooling to make all Goodtime rims in the higher grade 3-ply maple design. Prior to that they were laminated birch and maple rims. This standard 11-inch diameter rim provides a top quality sound that out performs all other banjos available in this price range. Thanks to this new upgrade, Goodtime banjos sound like they should cost far more they do.

Goodtime Tailpiece

The patented Goodtime tailpiece is extremely strong and easily adjustable to maximize tone by raising or lowering it.The standard 11" diameter rim is a 3-ply violin grade maple rim provides a top quality sound that outperforms many banjos available in this price range. The 16 brackets and standard rim diameter make head adjustments easy and replacement heads are readily available since the heads are the same size as most modern banjos (11" high crown).

Made in the U.S.A.

Deering manufactures the Goodtime Banjo in America at the Deering Banjo Company in Spring Valley, California.

Goodtime Specs
  • Neck: Blond Slender Rock Maple
  • Frets: 22 Pressed In Nickel Silver
  • Inlays: Hardwood Bow Tie
  • Tuners: Sealed Geared (Incl. 5th String)
  • Neck Finish: Satin
  • Peghead: Satin Deering Fiddle Shaped
  • Rim: Blond 3-ply Violin Grade Maple
  • Tension Hoop: Steel
  • Head: 11-Inch Frosted Top High Crown
  • Bridge: 5/8-Inch Maple/Ebony Goodtime
  • Tailpiece: Deering Patented Goodtime
  • Finish: Satin
  • Back Style: Openback
  • Neck Width at Nut: 1 1/4 Inches
  • Scale: 26 1/4 Inches
  • Rim Diameter: 12 Inches
  • Overall Instrument Length: 37 1/2 Inches
  • Weight: Approx.4 lbs
  • Warranty: 6 Years

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Price$719.99-10%$233.99
List:$259.99
$1,500.99$224.99$1,090.99$259.99
Delivery
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Get it by Wednesday, Jun 11
Get it Jun 18 - Jul 2
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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
190 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers like the quality of the stringed instrument. However, some have mixed opinions on the sound quality.

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4 customers mention "Quality"4 positive0 negative

Customers are satisfied with the quality of the stringed instrument. They mention it's great and lovely sounding.

"...If you want a great quality banjo that's fun to learn on or travel with this is it...." Read more

"This is a very well made instrument with good quality materials and finish. It hold tune very well and has an excellent tone too...." Read more

"...Very well built though I have some trouble seeing the strings against the light wood. Has a very nice sound and keeps in tune...." Read more

"...Great quality and lovely sounding." Read more

6 customers mention "Sound quality"4 positive2 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the sound quality of the banjo. Some mention it sounds great and is one of the best entry-level banjos you can get. However, others say it doesn't have all the fancy pearl inlays and is made all of wood.

"...Has a very nice sound and keeps in tune. Gotta run its banjo practice. See ya" Read more

"...Great quality and lovely sounding." Read more

"...Sounds great too, sure it doesn't have all the fancy pearl inlays and colour options as a higher end Deering but it is a great banjo...." Read more

"...It hold tune very well and has an excellent tone too...." Read more

Top reviews from Canada

  • Reviewed in Canada on August 29, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    One of the best entry level banjos you can get. I also own a Deering goodtime artisan special, however I tend to reach for this one alot when looking to practice as its not as loud, and very light in weight. Came set up perfectly, just tuned it up and was playing a moment later. I find it great for playing clawhammer style and also when playing bluegrass style by yourself, probably won't do for a bluegrass jam though as its not loud enough unless you mic it, but that's just how openbacks are. If you want a great quality banjo that's fun to learn on or travel with this is it. Sounds great too, sure it doesn't have all the fancy pearl inlays and colour options as a higher end Deering but it is a great banjo. Only thing I would change on this model is add some 5th string capo spikes on the 7th,9th,and 10th fret
    5 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in Canada on December 9, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This is a very well made instrument with good quality materials and finish. It hold tune very well and has an excellent tone too. It's quite quiet - no sounding board and made all of wood - so that might be a drawback for playing in a group. As a beginner instrument though, it's perfect.
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in Canada on September 8, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Not a musician but this is a lot of fun. I have books, chord chart etc.. hopefully in a year I can play a tune or two. Very well built though I have some trouble seeing the strings against the light wood. Has a very nice sound and keeps in tune. Gotta run its banjo practice. See ya
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in Canada on August 12, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    As a beginner banjo player, I couldn't be happier with this first-time purchase. Great quality and lovely sounding.
    2 people found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in Canada on July 11, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I’ve been playing my new banjo every day since it arrived, and I just LOVE IT!!!!!
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Reviewed in Canada on September 27, 2015
    Sounds great! Arrived fairly promptly.
    3 people found this helpful
    Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • ferrof88
    5.0 out of 5 stars What an Instrument!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I'm a person who does a lot of research before buying anything, so when I resolved to buy the Deering Goodtime 5-String Banjo as my first banjo, I made sure it was the one I wanted. Online reviews across several sites praised the Goodtime for its superior sound and build quality, so I thought it'd be silly to pass it over, especially for the price on 鶹. Well, I'm glad I went with my instincts!

    Before I get into the review, in my research I learned there are two main types of five-string banjos: open-back (which is the Deering Goodtime) and resonator. Open-back is more for playing old-time style, also known as clawhammer or frailing style, and it's much lighter than the resonator (I can attest to this since my brother had a resonator; it is HEAVY). The resonator is more for bluegrass style, so you'll be fingerpicking while wearing fingerpicks. It's got a resonator plate on the back, so you'll get a louder, brighter sound (hence the term "resonator"), but as I said, it's pretty heavy. I like the simplicity, timbre, and portability of the open-back, hence why I went with the Deering Goodtime. Just thought I'd mention this as a helpful starting point.

    First, the positives of the Goodtime, of which there are many:

    Although I never played banjo, I do play guitar, fiddle, mandolin, and bass, so I have a general idea of what I need to look for in an instrument. Right out of the box (the banjo was safely and securely packaged, by the way, which was a good first sign of its quality and a huge reassurance that it wasn't damaged in shipping), you can tell the Goodtime is of outstanding quality. Everything feels sturdy and tight; nothing is loose or wobbly. It has a natural wood finish that I really like, and it even FEELS like high quality wood. The fretboard has beautiful inlays, and the shape and construction of the neck and fretboard, in addition to the banjo's fantastic action, makes the banjo very easy and fun to play (imagine that - easy AND fun!). The tuning keys are easy to wind and hold tight, so you won't have to constantly re-tune. The rim looks nice and is solidly built, as well. Overall I feel like I got my money's worth, and then some.

    And the beautiful sound! You have to hear it for yourself. Every string rings clear, and the banjo sounds just as I expected a banjo should. This might sound redundant, but from what I've read there are some pretty cheaply made banjos out there. Rest assured that the Deering Goodtime is NOT one of them.

    Now, a couple minor issues (the first of which is not the fault of Deering but is the nature of all banjos in general):

    First, I noticed my banjo was in tune below the 5th fret but played sharp the farther up the fretboard I went. I did some research and found that this is normal for banjos given their sensitivity to the surrounding temperature (thus the possibility of a very slight stretching or shrinking of the head - this is normal), and the fact that all banjo bridges are moveable. Thus, I had to loosen every string and move the bridge slightly in the direction away from the neck to ensure proper intonation. I had to repeat this process of loosening the strings, moving the bridge, and re-tuning a few times, so needless to say it was annoying and time consuming. It did the trick though, and it's been fine ever since. So just keep in mind that notes playing sharper or flatter up the neck is normal for any banjo and is NOT the fault of Deering, and you may need to move the bridge slightly in one direction or the other depending on whether it's playing sharp or flat.

    Second, the instrument does not come with a gig bag or case. To get the banjo gig bag made by Deering, and hence ensuring a proper, snug fit, you'll be shelling out around $75. I definitely recommend the Deering gig bag since it's very padded and well-made, but it's just kind of inconvenient to have to put out more money in addition to the cost of the banjo. Otherwise you'll be storing your awesome banjo in the factory box it came in until you get one.

    If you're in the market for a banjo as an entry-level or intermediate player, then bypass the junk and go with the Deering Goodtime. I can't see any reason why you should put out more money on an expensive, "better" banjo (I say "better" because I can't see it getting much better than the Goodtime; I've actually come across reviews in which the Goodtime is compared to $1000+ banjos), and personally I can't even foresee having to buy another banjo. Ever. The Deering Goodtime is everything I wanted for an incredible price. You just can't go wrong.
  • The Screaming Queen
    5.0 out of 5 stars There is very little reason to get any other banjo than this one!
    Reviewed in the United States on August 6, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I can't say enough wonderful tings about this banjo. I own this and also a Deering Eagle II that cost more than five times as much, and I have owned cheap imports as well. This Goodtime is closer to the Eagle II in terms of sound and playability than it is to the cheap imports. In other words, it plays well above its class. The sound is surprisingly bright and loud for an open-back, and the low action and light-gauge strings make it very easy to play. Deering clearly gives the Goodtime a lot of the quality workmanship that goes into their professional-caliber banjos, but keep the cost affordable by minimizing the frills. For example, the Goodtime has 1/3 fewer brackets than a typical banjo. It has no separate fretboard (the neck is the fingering surface), the wood is unstained, it uses guitar tuners rather than planetary tuners, the tension hoop is not plated, and it has no side fret markers, no tone ring, no armrest, and of course no resonator (various other Goodtime models are available that are stained and have planetary tuners and/or have a resonator and/or a steel tone ring, at commensurately higher prices). But the truth is that none of that really matters much for the purposes of any beginner or intermediate banjo student, and even for pretty much anyone who is just playing recreationally. All that matters is that it sounds and plays great, and it does!
    In fact, this entry-level Goodtime has some advantages over expensive professional-grade models. It's extremely light, weighing in at a mere 4 pounds (thanks in part to its minimal hardware and lack of any tone ring), making it easy to carry and easy to hold, even for a child or an adult with a bad back. This is a banjo you don't mind bringing with you camping or to the beach, unlike a heavy expensive one. The smooth satin finish allows your hand to glide easily up and down the neck, whereas the heavy gloss finish on expensive banjos can create more friction and feel draggier. And the Goodtime's guitar tuners are actually more precise than the planetary tuners on my Eagle II.
    Deering does sell a separate add-on armrest for the Goodtime banjo, if you really must have one (standard armrests won't fit because of the very wide bracket spacing). I bought it, and it was easy to install. Deering also sells a resonator kit if you later decide you want to upgrade from open-back to resonator (if you're reasonably sure you're going to eventually want a resonator, it probably makes more sense to just get the resonator model from the outset rather than add a resonator later--and you can always opt to just take the resonator off. But it's simply nice to know that you do also have the option of adding a resonator later--you're not necessarily committing to an open-back by buying this model.
    When I bought my open-back Goodtime and finally had a truly well-made, quality, nice sounding, playable banjo in my hands for the first time, I just wanted to play it all the time. I found it to be a real joy compared to the inferior imported banjos I had struggled with in the past. In fact, I loved it so much that I decided right away that I just had to have one of the upper-line Deerings and bought my Eagle II (I pretty much fell in love with this company and its products!). But that was just to satisfy my enthusiasm--the truth is, this simple open-back Goodtime would have been plenty sufficient for all my present and future purposes. If you're going to be playing in a band or in large open venues, you may want to spend a little more for one of the Goodtime models that have a resonator (Goodtime Two) or a tone ring (Goodtime Special Open-Back) or both (Goodtime Special). But whichever Goodtime you choose, it is an outstanding banjo for a beginner and it's still pretty outstanding for any banjo player of any skill level, short of a professional!
    One person found this helpful
    Report
  • Brandon
    5.0 out of 5 stars Get this!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 5, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Absolutely amazing instrument for the price. I started on a much cheaper banjo and knew that once I got a little better, I'd want something nice. I've played multiple instruments throughout my life and know that you absolutely get what you pay for. Ponied up to buy this Goodtime and this plays like a thousand dollar instrument. The attention to detain is insane.

    Pros:
    . Easy to play - the action is perfect to build some callouses without killing your fingertips for a few weeks
    . Frets are perfect and the neck is wide enough that you don't mute other strings with your left hand
    . The tone is bright, crisp, and doesn't sound muted at all for being an open-back banjo
    . Came ready to play and just needed tuning
    . I did not think a banjo could be this light, yet feel so sturdy
    . Arrived early and the packaging was awesome. Not a single ding or blemish on the instrument

    Cons:
    . I find it uncomfortable after a while since it doesn't have an arm rest. This can be ordered from Deering for about $30 on their website. Not a big deal, but the head digs into my right arm without an armrest.

    This is a great buy. I would not hesitate to replace it if anything ever happened to it. Happy picking!
  • Diana
    5.0 out of 5 stars This banjo is a dream!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    I did a lot of research before buying the Deering Goodtime open back banjo. This is the most consistently well-reviewed “beginner” instrument I’ve looked into, and the reputation is well-deserved. I’m a beginner on banjo, but I’ve played old time fiddle for 20 years and also play guitar and ukulele, so I know what to look for in stringed instruments. First, this banjo has a gorgeous sound. It’s a rich tone, which you might not like if you want a more punchy bluegrass sound, but I love it. The fretboard is fantastic- plays well low and high on the neck. Tuners hold the tuning extremely well. And the instrument just looks great. I love how light it is- easy to play on my lap or with a strap. The only problem I encountered was that in my excitement to play it, my marathon jamming left bruises on my thighs from the j hooks. Any open backed banjo would do this, and it was easily solved with a towel. I am totally in love with this instrument and can’t put it down.
    Customer image
    Diana
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    This banjo is a dream!

    Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2021
    I did a lot of research before buying the Deering Goodtime open back banjo. This is the most consistently well-reviewed “beginner” instrument I’ve looked into, and the reputation is well-deserved. I’m a beginner on banjo, but I’ve played old time fiddle for 20 years and also play guitar and ukulele, so I know what to look for in stringed instruments. First, this banjo has a gorgeous sound. It’s a rich tone, which you might not like if you want a more punchy bluegrass sound, but I love it. The fretboard is fantastic- plays well low and high on the neck. Tuners hold the tuning extremely well. And the instrument just looks great. I love how light it is- easy to play on my lap or with a strap. The only problem I encountered was that in my excitement to play it, my marathon jamming left bruises on my thighs from the j hooks. Any open backed banjo would do this, and it was easily solved with a towel. I am totally in love with this instrument and can’t put it down.
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    Customer image
  • CopperKettle
    5.0 out of 5 stars Best Beginner-Intermediate Banjo
    Reviewed in the United States on July 6, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    I did a lot of research to find a good banjo. A LOT. The richest source of information was the Banjo Hangout forums, where any number of beginner threads outlines the general consensus on what makes a good beginner banjo. The recommendations span a huge number of makes and models, and even a very large price range. Unfortunately, I don't have the socioeconomic wherewithal to throw down $1000 on an instrument I may or may not like, so I was looking for a decent banjo for under $400. The Deering Goodtimes were consistently recommended as banjos which made not look too slick, but played beautifully.

    Note: the Deering Goodtime is only one of several Goodtime banjos. The Deering Goodtime 2 comes with a resonator back, and can be good for bluegrass banjo, whereas this banjo, an openback banjo, is more appropriate for clawhammer style. Finally, the Deering Goodtime Special has a tone ring. While it's an investment, the tone ring apparently offers a rich, wonderful sound, and is widely considered a bargain.

    I opted for the regular, plain old vanilla Deering Goodtime for two reasons. First, I can't afford the more expensive models. Second, this banjo is extraordinarily light and sturdy. If I continue playing the banjo and invest in a more expensive instrument later, my Goodtime will become my go-to beater banjo and camping banjo.

    Highly recommended for beginners or even intermediates looking for a banjo that produces a wonderful sound that won't cost you too much.