Deering Goodtime Blackgrass Special 5-String Banjo
$1,589.00
The Deering Goodtime Blackgrass Special is an all-black 5-string resonator banjo with Deering’s patented steel tone ring and spikes at the 7th, 9th and 10th frets.
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 Blackgrass vs Blackgrass Special: Which Banjo Should You Buy?, opens a video playerAt a Glance
- Handedness
- Right-Handed
- Style
- Resonator Banjo
- Strings
- 5
- Scale Length
- 26-1/4"
- Tone Ring
- Steel
- Pickup
- No
- Made In
- USA
- Weight
- 8.75 lbs
The Deering Blackgrass Special is the Goodtime Blackgrass with Deering’s patented Goodtime Special steel tone ring added: a 5-string resonator banjo in an all-black matte finish, with the projection of a tone ring. Deering handcrafts it in Spring Valley, California. Black stain covers the neck, rim, resonator and flange, and a black high crown head completes the look.
What makes the Blackgrass Special different
- Goodtime Special steel tone ring. The patented steel ring sits on top of the 3-ply violin grade maple rim, and it is the part that separates this banjo from the standard Blackgrass.
- Midnight maple fingerboard. Vintage artisan style pearloid inlays on a midnight maple fingerboard, over a slender “D” shape rock maple neck.
- Planetary tuners and spikes. Goodtime planetary tuners, a Goodtime geared 5th string tuner, and 5th string spikes installed at the 7th, 9th and 10th frets.
- Straight-sided resonator. A 13-7/8″ resonator of 3-ply poplar, poplar and maple with straight sidewalls and a satin finish, on a two-piece Goodtime series flange.
Who the Blackgrass Special suits
The Blackgrass Special suits a bluegrass player who wants the all-black look with a tone ring for a jam. For the same look without a tone ring, choose the Goodtime Blackgrass. The Goodtime Special has the same steel tone ring with US Bronze hardware and Art Deco hardwood inlays, and left-handed players can choose the left-handed Blackgrass Special.
Choose your Goodtime
Every Goodtime resonator banjo below is built on a 3-ply violin grade maple rim with a 26-1/4″ scale. They differ in tone ring, finish, tuners and handedness.
| Model | Tone ring | Finish | Tuners | Hand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goodtime Two | None | Satin, US Bronze hardware | Sealed geared | Right |
| Goodtime Special | Steel | Satin, US Bronze hardware | Sealed geared | Right |
| Goodtime Blackgrass | None | Black stain, black head | Goodtime planetary | Right |
| Blackgrass Special (this page) | Steel | Black stain, black head | Goodtime planetary | Right |
| Goodtime Blackgrass (left-handed) | None | Black stain, black head | Goodtime planetary | Left |
| Blackgrass Special (left-handed) | Steel | Black stain, black head | Goodtime planetary | Left |
| Artisan Goodtime Special | Steel | Dark red mahogany stain, nickel hardware | Goodtime planetary | Right |
| Model | What’s different | Tone ring |
|---|---|---|
| Goodtime Two | No tone ring | None |
| Goodtime Special | Steel ring, US Bronze | Steel |
| Goodtime Blackgrass | All black, no ring | None |
| Blackgrass Special | All black, steel ring | Steel |
| Goodtime Blackgrass (left-handed) | Left-handed Blackgrass | None |
| Blackgrass Special (left-handed) | Left-handed Blackgrass Special | Steel |
| Artisan Goodtime Special | Mahogany stain, steel ring | Steel |
Setup, shipping and warranty
This banjo is set up here before it ships by our banjo tech Tara, trained at the Huber Banjo factory. Shipping is free in the US, and it carries an 8-year limited warranty.
To ask about this banjo before you order, call or text us at 404-218-8580.
Deering Blackgrass Special specifications
| Key facts | |
|---|---|
| Model | Goodtime Blackgrass Special (Deering) |
| Strings | 5 |
| Handedness | Right-handed (left-handed version on its own page) |
| Scale length | 26-1/4″ |
| Tone ring | Patented Goodtime Special steel |
| Pickup | None |
| Made in | USA (Spring Valley, California) |
| Weight | About 8.75 lbs |
| Neck | |
| Neck | Rock maple, black stain, slender “D” shape, satin finish |
| Fingerboard | Midnight maple |
| Inlay | Vintage artisan style pearloid |
| Frets | 22, pressed-in nickel silver |
| Nut | 1-1/4″ Lexan polycarbonate |
| Tuners | Goodtime planetary |
| 5th string tuner | Goodtime geared |
| Spikes | Installed at 7, 9, 10 |
| Pot and hardware | |
| Rim | 11″ 3-ply violin grade maple, black stain |
| Head | 11″ black, high crown |
| Tension hoop | Beveled steel |
| Hooks | 16 flat J-hooks, 9/32″ hex nuts |
| Flange | Two-piece Goodtime series |
| Armrest | Goodtime armrest |
| Bridge | 5/8″ Goodtime Smile |
| Tailpiece | Deering patented Goodtime tailpiece |
| Resonator | 13-7/8″ 3-ply poplar/poplar/maple, straight sidewalls, black stain, satin |
| Finish | Hand finished satin polyurethane |
| Overall length | 38″ |
| Strings | |
| Tuning | Open G (g D G B D) |
| Gauges | Deering light: 5th .010, 4th .021w, 3rd .013, 2nd .011, 1st .010 |
| In the box | |
| Setup | Banjo Warehouse, by our banjo tech Tara |
| Warranty | 8-year limited |
Deering Blackgrass Special questions
Is the Blackgrass Special heavier than the Blackgrass?
Yes. The steel tone ring adds noticeable heft: the Blackgrass Special weighs about 8.75 lbs, against about 6 lbs for the standard Goodtime Blackgrass.
What are the spikes at the 7th, 9th and 10th frets for?
They are 5th string capo spikes, and they let you play in the keys of A, B and C right out of the box.
Can the Blackgrass Special be tuned to other tunings?
Yes. It comes strung with Deering light gauge strings in open G, and it can be tuned to other tunings.
2 reviews for Deering Goodtime Blackgrass Special 5-String Banjo
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Jerry S K. (verified owner) –
Great service. Fast and ready to play outta the box
Reed Parsell (verified owner) –
Professional, friendly and beyond knowledgeable, Geoff and the rest of the Banjo Warehouse team provided prompt, insightful and detailed support with my purchase of a beautiful, super-fun instrument. I wish I had the means and talent to justify buying more banjos from this great company. Banjo Warehouse should be every banjo shopper’s top pick!