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Your cart is empty.The newly Patented Goodtime Special Tone Ring designed by Deering produces a powerfully crisp, bright, sparkling tone, a considerable step up in tone from the original tone ring that was featured on our Goodtime Special banjos. The volume of tone is a wonderful surprise to players. If you're looking for a banjo with good volume and tone, and prefer to keep the cost as low as possible, then this is the banjo for you. This banjo will perform well in a jam session or band setting, feel comfortable, fret correctly, and be a stable instrument you can play for years to come. Tuned: g,D,G,B,D in standard G tuning Can easily be tuned in other tunings as well. Comes from the factory with light gauge strings 10, 11, 13, 21W, 10 Can be played with medium gauge as well.
tool man
Reviewed in the United States on June 11, 2020
Great quality, light weight as compared to my last, sounds great. Love it!
Eugene Moran
Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2018
every thing went great on time and as promised good company very good banjo love it
Chef Hayes
Reviewed in the United States on September 24, 2016
it's heavy as all get out, but it sounds and looks great. this is my first banjo, but I have a few pretty nice guitars and for the price, this guy doesn't dissapoint
Huw Gwilliam
Reviewed in Canada on February 4, 2016
I bought the Goodtime Special (has resonator) but the picture shows the open back.It came in perfect condition from the seller. It was slightly out of tune, but spending 5 minutes puts it in tune so there are no complaints there.It sounds lovely, not as tangy or bluegrass as other banjos, but does have some resemblance. I can play any folk, bluegrass, or modern songs on the banjo and it sounds good with all songs. I even bought a Levy's strap 2 1/2in and that fit perfect. I have taken the resonator off to see what it sounds like, and it does quiet and become a bit more bass sounding, but very little.Only playing banjo for 2 months (guitar for years) this is much better than the $300 banjos, I know that's obvious, but the neck is bigger, its lighter, sounds better, and the quality of the Deering is amazing.I would definitely recommend this banjo.
Customer
Reviewed in Canada on February 22, 2016
It is a great banjo with a wonderful sound. I am very happy with this purchase. The fit and finish are excellent. I bought this banjo two years ago for six hundred dollars, why does it cost four times that price now.
justaguy
Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2015
I started on one of the better aluminum pot imports, which i thought sounded sort of like a banjo. But no comparison to this Deering! This sucker plays easier and rings like a bell (relative to the aluminum pot banjo). Also, it seems Deering made the optional lower arm rest standard equipment. This arm rest is less than 1/4" off the head. Five stars for accomplishing its role as a great value in intermediate range instrument.New players do yourself a favor and start with THIS banjo. If you lose interest it`ll hold most of its value. A used cheap aluminum Chinese banjo is hard to give away.
Eagle Vision
Reviewed in the United States on July 15, 2015
Being new to the world of Banjos, I wanted to get a Banjo that I could grow with. The Deering Goodtime line is a great lineup for beginners and casual players who aren't making a living playing instruments.The Goodtime (4 lbs) has an open back, which is a solid banjo but it has a lower volume. The Goodtime 2 (6 lbs) adds the resonator which adds to more volume. The Goodtime Special (8 lbs) adds a tonering to the resonator for a louder, rich sound with more sustain. The Goodtime Special Classic is the same as the Special but it has a stained wood.I chose the Goodtime Special since it was in the middle of mid-tier banjos. It has the right combination of features without breaking the bank. My choice of banjo had to be made in America, also.Out of the box, you get the banjo. It was not tuned from where it came, which is surprising. There was a small blemish on the side of the head, which what disappointing but I didn't expect perfection of cosmetic appearances.The neck is Rock Maple with a natural satin finish, as is the resonator. The instrument is solid, but heavy. The weight, though, gives more stability which is important when playing. The heavier weight is somewhat moot, since I am using a Neotech Banjo Strap, which markedly reduces the perceived weight.I was disappointed that it wasn't tuned, and it sounded horrible right out of the box. Using a tuner, I got the banjo tuned in less than 5 minutes.The sound is rich and vibrant, and it has a great volume. The action is just right, which doesn't require a lot of pressure or effort. Having tried lesser models, I was glad I chose this particular model. Although the resonator is something that CAN be removed, it is best to go with an open back if one desires that style. If you're playing out on the Crooked Road of Virginia or in a group, you'll need the resonator.The features are excellent. I'm glad I chose this model, and I'd do it again.Thanks, Y'all, for reading this. Two thumbs up.
Soquel Bill
Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2015
Arrived undamaged, but protective packaging was somewhat minimal. Great quality and sound and stays in tune. Did not come with any type of user guide or setup instructions, nor any adjusting tools (although none needed for now). Just the banjo with a set of strings, 10's. The bridge was shipped flat against the head under the strings, so you better know how to position the bridge and tune the intonation of the banjo. The strings seemed like they were pre-tuned, so setup was easier. 6 year warranty.
Clint
Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2014
This is my first banjo. I wanted a Deering, and I wanted a tone ring, and this banjo is it! I've played it for about 8 months now and I love it. It's really loud and has good tone. The banjo is pretty heavy and it feels like quality. I got it set up at the local music shop and got a Schubb 5th String Capo installed on it.After it was set up, I think think the intonation was within a couple of cents at the twelfth fret - not bad! Again, this banjo is loud and sounds good!Some accessories I have:5th string capo http://www.amazon.com/Shubb-FS-String-Banjo-Capo/dp/B000Y7O0Y6/ref=sr_1_4?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1392346184&sr=1-4&keywords=shubb+banjo+capoHercules Folk Instrument Stand http://www.amazon.com/Hercules-GS303B-FOLK-INST-Stand/dp/B001V7M7RK/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1392346379&sr=1-1&keywords=hercules+banjoNeoprene Strap (makes it feel lighter): http://www.amazon.com/Neotech-5701002-Super-Banjo-Strap/dp/B0002E1NQ4/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1392346421&sr=1-1&keywords=banjo+neopreneMike's Banjo Mute (A must if you're married...): [...]
Chris B.
Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2014
I love it. The Goodtime Special has volume, clarity, subtlety (when you want it), and a hard bluegrass punch (when you want it). I upgraded to the special from a Goodtime 2, and instantly fell in love. I have played the heck out of it here (in the U.S.) and overseas, and couldn't have asked for a better banjo for the price. I played it so much that I had worn sizable dents in the first few frets in only 2 1/2 months. Thanks, Deering, for the new addiction. I guess that now I have no choice but to shell out whatever it takes to get my hands on a Sierra! :)
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