Deering Goodtime Blackgrass Special 5-String Banjo
$ 1,589.00
The Deering Blackgrass Special takes the all-black Blackgrass and adds a Goodtime Special steel tone ring for a brighter, richer tone with more sustain and volume. Midnight maple fingerboard with vintage artisan pearloid inlays. Planetary tuners, spikes at 7, 9, and 10.
In stock
At a Glance
- Handedness
- Right-Handed
- Style
- Resonator Banjo
- Strings
- 5
- Tone Ring
- Steel
- Made In
- USA
- Pickup
- No
- Weight
- 8.75 lbs
- Scale Length
- 26-1/4"
Deering Blackgrass Special 5-String Banjo — Steel Tone Ring, All-Black, Made in USA
The Deering Blackgrass Special is a 5-string resonator banjo with the patented Goodtime Special steel tone ring and an all-black matte finish — the darkest-looking banjo in the Deering lineup with the tone to back it up. At $1,589 with steel tone ring projection and handcrafted construction in Spring Valley, California, this is the Blackgrass for players who want more than just looks. Available now at 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 at frets 7, 9, and 10 so you can play in the keys of A, B, and C right out of the box.
Call Geoff directly at (404) 218-8580 with any questions.
Watch: Blackgrass Special Demo
Why the Blackgrass Special?
The Blackgrass Special is for the player who loves the look of the Blackgrass but wants more tone. The difference is inside the pot: the Deering patented Goodtime Special steel tone ring sits on top of the 3-ply violin grade maple rim, producing a brighter, richer sound with noticeably more sustain and projection than the standard Blackgrass.
Everything else that makes the Blackgrass distinctive carries over. The pure black stain covers every surface — neck, rim, resonator, flange. The black high crown head and matte black powder-coated hardware complete the look. Underneath that finish is the same all-maple construction Deering is known for: 3-ply violin grade maple rim, rock maple neck, and midnight maple fingerboard with vintage artisan-style pearloid inlays.
The Pot
The 3-ply violin grade maple rim pairs with the patented Goodtime Special steel tone ring — the feature that separates this from the standard Blackgrass. Black high crown head. Beveled steel tension hoop with 16 flat J-hooks. Two-piece Goodtime series flange. Goodtime armrest, 5/8″ Goodtime Smile bridge, and Deering’s patented Goodtime tailpiece. All hardware finished in durable matte black powder coat.
In short: the Blackgrass Special delivers steel tone ring projection in the darkest finish Deering makes — $1,589, 8.75 lbs of serious instrument, with spikes installed and professional setup by our banjo tech Tara.
The Neck
Rock maple neck with a slender “D” shape and black 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 and a Goodtime geared 5th string tuner. Spikes installed at frets 7, 9, and 10.
The Resonator
3-ply poplar/poplar/maple construction with black stain and satin finish. Straight sidewalls. 13 7/8″ diameter. At 8.75 lbs, the tone ring adds noticeable heft compared to the standard Blackgrass — and you can feel that extra mass translating into a more authoritative tone.
What’s Included
Spikes installed at frets 7, 9, and 10. 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. Need more options? Reverb offers Affirm, eBay offers Klarna.
In stock and ready to ship. $1,589.
Call Geoff directly at (404) 218-8580 with any questions.
What Our Customers Are Saying
★★★★★ — “Absolutely love mine.”
— Christopher Roy Gilmore, Granbury, Texas
★★★★★
— Tim Soden, Ilfracombe, United Kingdom
Specifications
| Neck | |
|---|---|
| Wood | Rock Maple (Black Stain) |
| Shape | Slender “D” Shape |
| Finish | Satin |
| Fingerboard | Midnight Maple |
| Inlays | Vintage Artisan Style Pearloid |
| Nut | Lexan Polycarbonate, 1 1/4″ |
| Tuners | Goodtime Planetary |
| 5th String Tuner | Goodtime Geared |
| Frets | 22 Pressed-In Nickel Silver |
| Spikes | Installed at 7, 9, 10 |
| Pot | |
|---|---|
| Rim | 3-Ply Violin Grade Maple (Black Stain), 11″ |
| Tone Ring | Patented Goodtime Special Steel |
| 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 |
| Hardware Finish | Durable Matte Black Powder Coat |
| 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, Black Stain |
| Sidewalls | Straight |
| Diameter | 13 7/8″ |
| Dimensions & Details | |
|---|---|
| Scale Length | 26 1/4″ |
| Overall Length | 38″ |
| Weight | Approximately 8.75 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 Blackgrass Special?
The Deering Blackgrass Special is a 5-string resonator banjo with an all-black matte finish and the patented Goodtime Special steel tone ring. It’s the darkest-looking banjo in Deering’s lineup and the version of the Blackgrass with tone ring projection. Handcrafted in Spring Valley, California.
What’s the difference between the Blackgrass and Blackgrass Special?
The key difference is the tone ring. The Blackgrass Special has the patented Goodtime Special steel tone ring, which produces a brighter, richer sound with noticeably more sustain and projection than the standard Blackgrass. The Blackgrass Special weighs 8.75 lbs compared to the standard Blackgrass — that extra mass translates into more authoritative tone.
Is the Blackgrass Special good for bluegrass?
Yes. The Blackgrass Special is designed for players who want the all-black look with the projection to be heard in a jam. The steel tone ring provides the volume and sustain needed for bluegrass, and the resonator adds brightness and punch. If you’re playing with other instruments, the Blackgrass Special will cut through better than the standard Blackgrass.
Is the Deering Blackgrass Special made in the USA?
Yes. All Deering Goodtime banjos, including the Blackgrass Special, are handcrafted in Spring Valley, California. Deering has been building banjos in the USA since 1975.
Does the Blackgrass Special come with spikes?
Yes. The Blackgrass Special comes with 5th string capo spikes installed at frets 7, 9, and 10 — allowing you to play in the keys of A, B, and C 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.
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Want to visit? Call Geoff to schedule an appointment at our Yellow Springs, OH or Atlanta, GA locations.
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