Deering Goodtime Openback 5-String Banjo
$ 599.00
The most recommended banjo by banjo teachers. 3-ply violin grade maple rim, Art Deco hardwood inlays, only 4.5 lbs. Handcrafted in Spring Valley, California. $599 with free shipping and professional setup by our banjo tech Tara. Made in the USA. 7-day guarantee.
In stock
Deering Goodtime Openback 5-String Banjo — The Most Recommended Beginner Banjo, Made in USA
The Deering Goodtime is a 5-string openback banjo with a 3-ply violin grade maple rim — handcrafted in Spring Valley, California by the same crew that builds Deering’s professional instruments. At $599 and only 4.5 lbs, it’s the most recommended beginner banjo by teachers and the one that revolutionized the market when it launched in 1996. 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. Free shipping anywhere in the US. 7-day money-back guarantee.
Call Geoff directly at (404) 218-8580 with any questions.
Watch: Goodtime Openback Demo
Why the Goodtime?
When the Goodtime banjo was first released in 1996, it revolutionized the banjo world. Almost 30 years later, it remains the most recommended banjo for beginners — and for good reason.
Deering builds the Goodtime by hand in Spring Valley, California, using the same tooling and the same crew that builds their top-of-the-line professional instruments. The 3-ply violin grade maple rim uses the exact same wood found in the finest violins in the world. Only Deering puts this professional grade rim in a banjo at this price point.
The Neck
The slender rock maple neck plays fast and comfortable, with a 1 1/4″ nut width and Art Deco inspired hardwood inlays on the maple fingerboard. 22 pressed-in nickel silver frets. Lexan polycarbonate nut. Sealed geared tuners and a Goodtime geared 5th string tuner.
In short: the Goodtime delivers American-made quality at $599 — the banjo teachers recommend more than any other, with professional setup by our banjo tech Tara and free shipping.
The Pot
The 3-ply violin grade maple rim sits inside a beveled steel tension hoop with 16 flat J-hooks. Frosted high crown head. US Bronze powder finished armrest, 5/8″ Goodtime Smile bridge, and Deering’s patented Goodtime tailpiece. Hand rubbed polyurethane finish with carnauba wax.
Lightweight and Portable
At only 4.5 lbs, the Goodtime is light enough for children and adults alike, and easy to travel with. Whether you’re picking up the banjo for the first time or looking for a lightweight player to keep by your chair, this is the one. The US Bronze powder finished hardware gives the Goodtime its distinctive warm aesthetic.
What’s Included
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. $599.
Call Geoff directly at (404) 218-8580 with any questions.
What Our Customers Are Saying
★★★★★ — “I’ve been playing banjo for a long time and have two Goldstar resonator banjos. This is a REALLY nice banjo! It’s set up really well. It sounds so pure. I bought from you because I knew the banjo would have been looked over. The time you take for others can make people happy for a long time. Thanks for caring about what you do.”
— Dan DeVecchis, Belleville, Pennsylvania · April 2022
★★★★★ — “A nice-sounding banjo that is also very reasonably priced and lightweight. Nice to take on trips.”
— Joseph Morris, Shenandoah, Virginia
Specifications
| Neck | |
|---|---|
| Wood | Rock Maple |
| Shape | Comfortable “D” Shape |
| Finish | Satin |
| Fingerboard | Maple |
| Inlays | Art Deco Inspired Hardwood |
| Nut | Lexan Polycarbonate, 1 1/4″ |
| Tuners | Sealed Geared |
| 5th String Tuner | Goodtime Geared |
| Frets | 22 Pressed-In Nickel Silver |
| Pot | |
|---|---|
| Rim | 3-Ply Violin Grade Maple, 11″ |
| Head | 11″ Top Frosted High Crown |
| Tension Hoop | Beveled Steel |
| Hooks | 16 Flat J-Hooks, 9/32″ Hex Nuts |
| Armrest | Goodtime Armrest, US Bronze Powder Finish |
| Hardware Finish | US Bronze Powder |
| Bridge | 5/8″ Goodtime Smile Bridge |
| Tailpiece | Deering Patented Goodtime Tailpiece |
| Body Finish | Hand Rubbed Polyurethane with Carnauba Wax |
| Dimensions & Details | |
|---|---|
| Scale Length | 26 1/4″ |
| Overall Length | 37 1/2″ |
| Weight | Approximately 4.5 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 Goodtime?
The Deering Goodtime is a 5-string openback banjo with a 3-ply violin grade maple rim, handcrafted in Spring Valley, California. Introduced in 1996, it revolutionized the beginner banjo market and remains the most recommended banjo for new players almost 30 years later.
Is the Deering Goodtime good for beginners?
Yes. The Goodtime is the most recommended beginner banjo by teachers. It’s built by hand in the USA using the same tooling and crew that builds Deering’s professional instruments. At 4.5 lbs, it’s lightweight and comfortable for children and adults. The 3-ply violin grade maple rim delivers real tone quality that cheaper imports can’t match.
What’s the difference between Goodtime and Goodtime Two?
The Goodtime is an openback banjo, while the Goodtime Two has a resonator. The Goodtime is lighter (4.5 lbs vs 6 lbs), quieter, and better suited for old-time, clawhammer, and practice. The Goodtime Two projects more volume forward and is better for bluegrass jams where you need to be heard.
Is the Deering Goodtime made in the USA?
Yes. All Deering Goodtime banjos are handcrafted in Spring Valley, California by the same crew that builds Deering’s professional instruments. Deering has been building banjos in the USA since 1975.
How heavy is the Deering Goodtime?
The Deering Goodtime weighs approximately 4.5 lbs — one of the lightest banjos available. It’s comfortable for long playing sessions, easy to travel with, and suitable for children and adults alike.
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
- Reverb – Shop our listings
- eBay – Find rare instruments
- YouTube – Watch demos and lessons
Want to visit? Call Geoff to schedule an appointment at our Yellow Springs, OH or Atlanta, GA locations.
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