Deering Goodtime Americana 5-String Banjo
$749.00
The Goodtime Americana is Deering’s most affordable 12-inch openback 5-string banjo, made in the USA. The larger 12-inch rim and Renaissance head give it a warm, mellow, old-time voice that suits clawhammer and backing up a song.
In stock
Questions? Call or text us at 404-218-8580Read customer reviews
Questions about this banjo? Call or text 404-218-8580
Watch the demoHear this model played Deering Goodtime Americana Banjo Demo | Banjo Warehouse, opens a video playerAt a Glance
- Handedness
- Right-Handed
- Style
- Openback Banjo
- Strings
- 5
- Pickup
- No
- Made In
- USA
- Weight
- 4.5 lbs
The Deering Goodtime Americana is an openback banjo.
Most 5-string banjos use an 11-inch rim with a frosted head, which gives a bright sound that cuts through a band. The Goodtime Americana takes a different path. Its 12-inch three-ply violin-grade maple rim is paired with a 12-inch Renaissance head, and the combination produces stronger bass and a mellow, vintage-flavored tone. It is reminiscent of banjos from an era when larger rims were common, which makes it a natural fit for old-time music and for backing up a singer or another instrument rather than playing lead.
Choose your Goodtime
Every Goodtime openback shares the 3-ply violin grade maple rim, the rock maple neck and the patented Goodtime tailpiece.
| Model | Rim | Scale | Tuners | Hand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goodtime | 11″ maple | 26-1/4″ | Sealed geared | Right |
| Goodtime (left-handed) | 11″ maple | 26-1/4″ | Sealed geared | Left |
| Goodtime Parlor | 11″ maple | 23″ | Sealed geared | Right |
| Goodtime Americana (this page) | 12″ maple | 26-1/4″ | Sealed geared | Right |
| Goodtime Acoustic/Electric | 11″ maple | 26-1/4″ | Sealed geared | Right |
| Artisan Goodtime | 11″ maple | 26-1/4″ | Planetary | Right |
| Artisan Goodtime Americana | 12″ maple | 26-1/4″ | Goodtime planetary | Right |
| Model | What’s different | Rim |
|---|---|---|
| Goodtime | The original Goodtime | 11″ maple |
| Goodtime (left-handed) | Left-handed Goodtime | 11″ maple |
| Goodtime Parlor | Short 23″ scale | 11″ maple |
| Goodtime Americana | 12″ rim, Renaissance head | 12″ maple |
| Goodtime Acoustic/Electric | Kavanjo pickup built in | 11″ maple |
| Artisan Goodtime | Mahogany stain, spikes | 11″ maple |
| Artisan Goodtime Americana | 12″ rim, mahogany stain | 12″ maple |
Setup, shipping and warranty
Before this banjo ships, our banjo tech Tara sets it up by hand so the action, intonation, and head tension are right and it plays its best the day it arrives.
Shipping is free in the US. New Goodtime banjos carry Deering’s eight-year warranty on materials and workmanship, and The Banjo Warehouse is an authorized Deering dealer.
Questions before you buy? Call or text us at 404-218-8580.
Deering Goodtime Americana specifications
| Key facts | |
|---|---|
| Model | Goodtime Americana 5-String Banjo |
| Strings | 5 |
| Handedness | Right-Handed |
| Pickup | No |
| Made in | USA |
| Weight | 4.5 lbs |
| Neck | |
| Neck | Rock maple, comfortable “D” shape, satin natural finish |
| Fingerboard | 22 nickel-silver frets with Art Deco hardwood inlays |
| Tuners | Sealed geared tuners with a Goodtime geared 5th-string tuner |
| Pot and hardware | |
| Rim | 12-inch three-ply violin-grade maple |
| Head | 12-inch Renaissance, medium crown |
| Hardware | 16 flat J-hooks, beveled steel tension hoop, US bronze powder finish, Goodtime armrest |
| Bridge and tailpiece | 5/8-inch Goodtime Smile bridge and the patented Goodtime tailpiece |
| Strings | |
| Strings and tuning | Deering Light gauge, tuned gDGBD |
Deering Goodtime Americana questions
What makes the Goodtime Americana different from a standard Goodtime?
The standard Goodtime uses an 11-inch rim, while the Americana uses a larger 12-inch rim with a Renaissance head. The 12-inch pot gives the Americana a warmer, rounder tone with stronger bass, where the 11-inch Goodtime is brighter and cuts more.
Is the Deering Goodtime Americana good for clawhammer and old-time?
Yes. The 12-inch rim and Renaissance head give a mellow, woody sound that suits clawhammer and old-time playing and works beautifully for backing up vocals or other instruments. A scooped fingerboard is also available from Deering for players who want more room to play over the head.
What size is the Goodtime Americana banjo?
The Goodtime Americana has a 12-inch rim, a 26 1/4-inch scale length, and an overall length of about 37 1/2 inches. It weighs roughly 4.5 pounds.
Is the Deering Goodtime Americana made in the USA?
Yes. Like the entire Goodtime series, the Americana is made in the USA by Deering.
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