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
At a Glance
- Handedness
- Right-Handed
- Style
- Openback Banjo
- Strings
- 5
- Scale Length
- 26-1/4"
- Pickup
- No
- Made In
- USA
- Weight
- 4.5 lbs
Deering Goodtime Openback 5-String Banjo: Made in Spring Valley, California
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 only 4.5 lbs it is one of the lightest banjos you can buy, and it is the banjo Deering bills as the most recommended beginner banjo by teachers. It has been in production since 1996. Available now at Banjo Warehouse, an authorized Deering dealer in Yellow Springs, Ohio.
Every Deering we sell is set up by our banjo tech Tara before it ships, so your banjo arrives ready to play.
Call Geoff directly at (404) 218-8580 with any questions.
See It and Hear It
Why the Goodtime?
When the Goodtime was first released in 1996, it changed what a beginner could expect from an affordable banjo. Almost thirty years later it is still the first instrument most teachers point new players toward.
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 same grade of wood found in fine violins. Very few banjos at this level use a rim like it.
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.
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 are 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 look.
Fifth String Spikes Are Free
Most shops charge to install them. We put them in at no cost. Just ask for them in your order notes and tell us which frets you want, or say “the usual” and we will do the 7th, 9th and 10th.
Openback or Resonator?
The Goodtime is an openback banjo. If you want more volume projected forward, the Deering Goodtime Two is the same banjo with a resonator added. The Goodtime is lighter at 4.5 lbs against 6 lbs, quieter, and better suited to old-time, clawhammer and practice. The Goodtime Two is the one to take to a bluegrass jam where you need to be heard. Deering also builds the Goodtime Two left-handed at the same price.
What Is Included
8-year limited warranty from Deering. Professional setup by our banjo tech Tara. Free fifth string spikes on request. The Goodtime ships without a case. We stock two that are built for an openback: the Superior C-267 TrailPak II gig bag and the Golden Gate C-1535 Premier hardshell case. Add one to your order and we will fit it before it ships.
Shipping, Returns and Financing
We ship free within the United States, fully insured. If the banjo is not right for you, you have 7 days to return it. Return shipping is the buyer’s responsibility, and refunds are the purchase price less $125 to cover our original shipping cost. Financing is available at checkout through PayPal Pay in 4, and through Afterpay on instruments under $4,000.
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 in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Owner Geoff Hohwald is the author of The Banjo Primer. Every banjo is set up by our banjo tech Tara before it ships, with free insured shipping anywhere in the United States. See the rest of our Deering banjos or browse every clawhammer banjo we carry.
Want to know when new banjos arrive? Join our email list for new arrival notifications, sale alerts, and free weekly banjo lessons from Geoff.
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. It has been in production since 1996 and remains one of the most common recommendations for new players.
Is the Deering Goodtime good for beginners?
Yes. It is built by hand in the USA using the same tooling and crew that builds Deering’s professional instruments. At 4.5 lbs it is lightweight and comfortable for children and adults. The 3-ply violin grade maple rim gives it a warmth and sustain you do not usually hear at this level.
What is the difference between the Goodtime and the Goodtime Two?
The Goodtime is an openback banjo; the Goodtime Two has a resonator. The Goodtime is lighter at 4.5 lbs against 6 lbs, quieter, and better suited for old-time, clawhammer and practice. The Goodtime Two projects more volume forward and is the better choice 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?
Approximately 4.5 lbs, which makes it one of the lightest banjos available. It is comfortable for long playing sessions, easy to travel with, and suitable for children and adults alike.
Does the Goodtime come with a case?
No, Deering ships the Goodtime without one. We stock cases cut for an openback banjo: the Superior C-267 TrailPak II gig bag if you want something light to carry to a lesson, or the Golden Gate C-1535 Premier hardshell if the banjo is going to travel. See every banjo case and gig bag we carry.
Can you install fifth string spikes?
Yes, and they are free. Tell us in your order notes which frets you want, or say “the usual” and we will do the 7th, 9th and 10th.
Contact Banjo Warehouse
For detailed descriptions or to chat about banjos, call Geoff Hohwald at (404) 218-8580.
Email us anytime at [email protected].
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 Goodtime Openback 5-String Banjo
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James Bishop (verified owner) –
I recently purchased a Deering Goodtime Openback 5 String Banjo from Banjo Warehouse. The experience was outstanding. I had a question about a banjo and Geoff responded promptly. The banjo arrived packaged very securely ensuring a safe delivery. Upon opening the box, I was greeted by a personal note from the banjo technician, Tara. It was in tune and playable right out of the box.I am very glad I used Banjo Warehouse for this purchase and recommend them without hesitation.