Deering Artisan Goodtime Special 5-String Banjo
$1,599.00
Pre-order
Watch the demo
At a Glance
- Handedness
- Right-Handed
- Style
- Resonator Banjo
- Strings
- 5
- Scale Length
- 26-1/4"
- Tone Ring
- Steel
- Pickup
- No
- Made In
- USA
- Weight
- 8 lbs
Deering Artisan Goodtime Special 5-String Banjo — Steel Tone Ring, Made in USA
This is a pre-order. Our next Artisan Goodtime Specials are due to arrive from Deering in mid-October 2026. Ordering now reserves one. It comes to our shop in Yellow Springs, Ohio, where our banjo tech Tara sets it up before it ships to you. Dates can move, so get in touch before you buy and we will tell you where it stands. Your payment is fully refundable at any time before your order ships, for any reason and with no restocking fee.
The Deering Artisan Goodtime Special is a 5-string resonator banjo with the patented Goodtime Special steel tone ring, vintage styling, and a 3-ply violin grade maple rim — handcrafted in Spring Valley, California. At $1,599, this is the banjo Greg Deering always wanted to build: the best sounding, best playing, best looking instrument he could put in the Goodtime price range. Available to pre-order from Banjo Warehouse, an authorized Deering dealer in Yellow Springs, Ohio.
Every Deering we sell receives a professional setup by our banjo tech Tara before shipping. Your banjo arrives ready to play. Spikes come installed so you can play in multiple keys right out of the box.
Call Geoff directly at (404) 218-8580 with any questions.
Why the Artisan Goodtime Special?
The real story is the tone ring. The patented Goodtime Special steel tone ring sits on top of the 3-ply violin grade maple rim, producing a sweet voice with sustain that complements every instrument in a band. It is clearly louder than the Goodtime Two and projects with authority in a jam setting.
The dark red mahogany stain gives the Artisan Goodtime Special the warm, rich appearance of a vintage instrument. The midnight maple fingerboard is inlaid with vintage artisan-style pearloid inlays that pop against the dark wood. The Deering fiddle-shaped peghead features the Goodtime Special banner engraving with ornate scrollwork, and planetary tuners with white pearloid buttons complete the vintage look.
The Pot
The 3-ply violin grade maple rim pairs with the patented Goodtime Special steel tone ring — the feature that separates this banjo from the standard Goodtime line. Beveled steel tension hoop with 16 flat J-hooks. Frosted high crown head. Goodtime armrest, 5/8″ Goodtime Smile bridge, and Deering’s patented Goodtime tailpiece. All hardware is nickel plated.
In short: the Artisan Goodtime Special delivers tone ring projection and vintage looks at $1,599 — louder than a Goodtime Two, American-made, with spikes installed and professional setup by our banjo tech Tara.
The Neck
Rock maple neck with a comfortable “D” shape and dark red mahogany stain under a satin finish. Midnight maple fingerboard with vintage artisan-style pearloid inlays. 22 pressed-in nickel silver frets. Lexan polycarbonate nut at 1 1/4″ width. Goodtime planetary tuners with white pearloid buttons and a Goodtime geared 5th string tuner.
The Resonator
The nickel-plated hardware, frosted head, and dark red mahogany resonator give this banjo a classic presence on stage or in the living room. 3-ply poplar/poplar/maple construction with straight sidewalls and satin finish. 13 7/8″ diameter. At 8 lbs, it has the heft and substance of a serious instrument.
What’s Included
Spikes installed. 8-year limited warranty. Professional setup by our banjo tech Tara. Free shipping anywhere in the United States. 7-day money-back guarantee.
Financing available: PayPal Pay in 4 on our website.
Pre-order now. $1,599.
Call Geoff directly at (404) 218-8580 with any questions.
Specifications
| Neck | |
|---|---|
| Wood | Rock Maple (Dark Red Mahogany Stain) |
| Shape | Comfortable “D” Shape |
| Finish | Satin |
| Fingerboard | Midnight Maple |
| Inlays | Vintage Artisan Style Pearloid |
| Nut | Lexan Polycarbonate, 1 1/4″ |
| Tuners | Goodtime Planetary with White Pearloid Buttons |
| 5th String Tuner | Goodtime Geared |
| Frets | 22 Pressed-In Nickel Silver |
| Spikes | Installed |
| Pot | |
|---|---|
| Rim | 3-Ply Violin Grade Maple, 11″ |
| Tone Ring | Patented Goodtime Special Steel |
| Head | 11″ Top Frosted High Crown |
| Tension Hoop | Beveled Steel |
| Hooks | 16 Flat J-Hooks, 9/32″ Hex Nuts |
| Armrest | Goodtime Armrest |
| Hardware Plating | Nickel |
| Bridge | 5/8″ Goodtime Smile Bridge |
| Tailpiece | Deering Patented Goodtime Tailpiece |
| Body Finish | Hand Finished Satin Polyurethane |
| Resonator | |
|---|---|
| Wood | 3-Ply Poplar/Poplar/Maple |
| Finish | Satin, Dark Red Mahogany Stain |
| Sidewalls | Straight |
| Diameter | 13 7/8″ |
| Dimensions & Details | |
|---|---|
| Scale Length | 26 1/4″ |
| Overall Length | 38″ |
| Weight | Approximately 8 lbs |
| Strings | Deering Light Gauge (10, 11, 13, 21w, 10) |
| Tuning | Open G (g, D, G, B, D) |
| Warranty | 8-Year Limited |
| Country of Origin | USA (Spring Valley, California) |
Why Buy from Banjo Warehouse?
Banjo Warehouse is an authorized Deering dealer located in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Owner Geoff Hohwald has over 50 years in the banjo business and is the author of The Banjo Primer. Every banjo ships with a professional setup by our banjo tech Tara and free shipping anywhere in the United States.
Want to know when new banjos arrive? Join our email list →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Deering Artisan Goodtime Special?
The Deering Artisan Goodtime Special is a 5-string resonator banjo with a steel tone ring, handcrafted in Spring Valley, California. It features a dark red mahogany stain, vintage artisan-style pearloid inlays, and the patented Goodtime Special steel tone ring that delivers more volume and projection than the standard Goodtime line.
What’s the difference between the Goodtime Special and Goodtime Two?
The key difference is the tone ring. The Goodtime Special has the patented Goodtime Special steel tone ring, which produces a sweeter voice with more sustain and clearly louder projection than the Goodtime Two. The Goodtime Two does not have a tone ring. If you’re playing in jams or band settings, the Goodtime Special will cut through better.
Is the Artisan Goodtime Special good for bluegrass?
Yes. The Artisan Goodtime Special is designed for players who want resonator banjo projection at an entry-level price. The steel tone ring provides the volume and sustain needed to be heard in a bluegrass jam, and the resonator adds the brightness and punch that bluegrass players expect. At 8 lbs, it has the heft of a serious instrument.
Is the Deering Goodtime Special made in the USA?
Yes. All Deering Goodtime banjos, including the Artisan Goodtime Special, are handcrafted in Spring Valley, California. Deering has been building banjos in the USA since 1975.
Does the Artisan Goodtime Special come with spikes?
Yes. The Artisan Goodtime Special comes with 5th string capo spikes already installed, allowing you to play in multiple keys right out of the box.
Contact Banjo Warehouse
For detailed descriptions or to chat about banjos, call Geoff Hohwald at (404) 218-8580.
Email us anytime at thebanjowarehouse@gmail.com.
Follow Banjo Warehouse:
- Facebook – Join our community
- YouTube – Watch demos and lessons
- GeoffHohwald.com – Banjo lessons and books
Want to visit? Call Geoff to schedule an appointment at our Yellow Springs, OH location.
1 review for Deering Artisan Goodtime Special 5-String Banjo
Add a review
You must be logged in to post a review.
Related products
Greg Rich’s first Gold Tone design. Pre-war formula flathead tone ring, walnut construction, top tension rim, Prucha Presto tailpiece. Setup by our banjo tech Tara.
The double-cut headstock, combined with the Hearts-and-Flowers inlay pattern, says it all. The OB-Standard respects the GOAT Bluegrass banjoist, Earl Scruggs, who played this banjo style for many years.
"Pre-war" style, at a price anyone can afford, AND authentic tone and superb playability describe the OB-150+. This Bluegrass banjo sports a three-ply maple rim and one-piece flange (just like the megabucks originals), a maple neck inlayed in authentic style, an upgraded JLS tone ring, and a smooth satin finish. The OB-150 is professionally set up in our Ohio shop and comes with TRANSFERRABLE lifetime warranty.
Brand new Gold Tone CC-100+/L left-handed Cripple Creek openback banjo featuring the factory-installed SMP+ pickup and included gig bag. This lefty banjo offers a maple neck with two-way adjustable truss rod, rosewood fingerboard with snowflake inlays, three-ply maple rim, rolled brass tone ring, and GT Master planetary tuners. Finished in vintage brown and setup at Gold Tone's Florida facility.
A Madison-series resonator banjo with the same 3-ply steam-bent maple rim as the best-selling RK-ELITE-75, plus a pre-war-style bell brass cast tone ring and one-piece flange.
In late 2018, Jake Stogdill and Robby Boone had a concept for replicating one of the most iconic banjos, played by one of the most iconic banjo players of all time, JD Crowe's original RB-3 ("Banger"). After extensive research and great attention to every detail, Gold Tone was able to rebirth this classic banjo as the OB-3.
The Gold Tone CEB-4 is a one-of-a-kind cello banjo developed in collaboration with string virtuoso Marcy Marxer, bringing back a nearly forgotten voice from the early twentieth century banjo orchestra era. Tuned in fifths (CGDA) on a 14-inch pot with a rolled brass flat bar tone ring, it delivers deep, punchy low-end that works beautifully in any genre. Mandolin, mandola, viola, and cello players will feel right at home within minutes — and it ships with a hard case included.
Deering Golden Era 5-String Banjo — Prewar-Style Tone, Brand New, Pre-Order This is a pre-order. Deering has this banjo scheduled to ship to us in mid-November 2026. Ordering now reserves it. It comes to our shop in Yellow Springs, Ohio, where our banjo tech Tara sets it up before it ships to you. Factory dates [...]
Anonymous (verified owner) –