Antique Banjo vs Deering "Goodtime" | Banjo Q&A

[@peter4Flags]

Cliff speaking from NI ,what do you think of the vega vintage Star made by Deering . Thanks Cliff .

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Deering is very overpriced. Look at Gold Tone instead.

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

If I had to do this video over again I would definitely recommend the Recording King "Dirty 30s" for the beginner banjo. They are actually slightly better quality than the Deering, and they come with a lifetime warranty, whereas the Deering (I'm told) only comes with a 1-year warranty. The fact that Deering "Goodtime" lacks a fingerboard and has no coordinator rods means if the neck warps after 1 year, there's probably no way to fix it and no way to get your money back. I'm telling all my new people now to grab a Recording King "Dirty 30s" if they can--they're also CHEAPER.

[@Jrhnhemp]

@chris m I own both now and find the Goodtime much easier to play (my fingers wrap around the neck easier) and I think it sounds better than my Dirty Thirty. At the time I didnt think I could afford a $600 Goodtime so I bought the Dirty for about 250 I believe. The following week I found a once used Goodtime for $200 and snatched it up. Gonna sell the Dirty now.

[@Jrhnhemp]

Might just try that...thks

[@gausscone]

I had to do a double take on the no coordinator rod thing and I'm sure you meant truss rod. Also, the warranties seem about equal from the websites, now at least. Regardless, the lack of all that is pretty worrying especially on what seems to be treated as a go-to brand. It looks like a grubby move to me, though people go up and down bleating "craftsmanship" and "precision" (and the strength of wood compared to steel???) will stop one-piece necks from needing relief adjustments ever, with metal strings no less, just as they sell $10k banjos with fingerboards and truss rods. Then I look at the cheap no-name "guitar-style" tuners. Then there's the Deering "ology" thing which should be irrelevant but is the big cherry on top.

[@davebonk319]

I own a recording king rkoh-06, has a remo head, truss rod, so on and so forth but the quality is cheap! the screws that hold the tuning pegs on the headstock, two of those screws I turn with a screwdriver and they just spin and not move anywhere. J hooks are as cheap and trashy as can get. when I removed the truss rod cover, I found underneath dried out paint/stain formed into what at first I thought was a dead cockroach, but upon inspection it was just saw dust and stain dried out into a weird shape, how did this not get removed? How did any of this pass inspection? The 5th string tuner fell out I had to teflon tape it and use wood glue then clamp the thing overnight. No, No and No to recording kings! at least with Deering I know they're made here in the US, at the very least I know our people here are getting paid making them and not people overseas with no respect for the instrument and its history.

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

It seems RK Dirty 30s have drastically dropped off in quality. I recently played a Goldtone AC1 and it was surprisingly good. Deering is incredibly overpriced.

[@tmo7734]

Clifton, visiting your channel is always a pleasant experience. Thank you so much. Best wishes.

[@clawhammer704]

One thing about the deering is it’s American made if that means anything. It also has a thin fast playing neck and a maple pot.

[@eliwebster509]

Just got my first Goodtime and I can't put it down. Had a cheap Johnson before this, but it needs work. The Goodtime is brand new, some guy bought it brand new and never learned to play it. So I got a really good deal on it.

[@Arno_vanZyl]

Insightful as always, Clifton. Keep up the good work. I've got a Deering Goodtime Artisan as well and I love it! Old time banjos are few and far between here in Cape Town. Left handed ones anyways ;)

[@runrig97]

I went with the Gold Tone CC-Carlin12, as it was in the same price range as the Goodtime, but had a truss rod and tone ring. I played both in the music shop and liked it better. Either was a step up from my Silvertone.

[@SuperMississippian]

I have my grandfather's Lyon & Healy. It's the "Mystic" model. There is no sound like an old banjo.

[@evanblythe1933]

Great dude, best tunes. Miss hearing ya play live! - tadpole

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Where are you at these days, T-Pole!?

[@toadeepants]

Love the little touch of acting, playing that song! 😄 My first banjo is a Deering Goodtime. It’s fine, but has no Vintage vibe. There’s a great music shop near me that specializes in antique instruments, mainly banjos and guitars. They sell them in excellent playing shape-if otherwise, they’re very clear about that. Their prices are very fair. Name banjos are more expensive of course. I ended up buying an 1880’s no name. It’s great, AND it’s an Art piece, for me, anyway. It’s got the coolest bolts all around. I also got a no name 1920’s/30’s mystery banjo (lol!) with some very cool unique features. Scalloped fret board, old pitted steel armrest. Plays so great, and it’s also a Vintage art piece. ❤️

[@clawhammer704]

A person who does not know what to look for as in banjo trouble shooting would be best getting the good time. I got some nice old open back banjos that I enjoy but the good time I have will do the same thing. I appreciate that Deering makes these banjos.

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

If I had to do this video over again I would definitely recommend the Recording King "Dirty 30s" for the beginner banjo. They are actually slightly better quality than the Deering, and they come with a lifetime warranty, whereas the Deering (I'm told) only comes with a 1-year warranty. The fact that Deering "Goodtime" lacks a fingerboard _and_ has no coordinator rods means if the neck warps after 1 year, there's probably no way to fix it _and_ no way to get your money back. I'm telling all my new people now to grab a Recording King "Dirty 30s" if they can--they're also CHEAPER.

[@clawhammer704]

Recording Kings are great too.

[@clawhammer704]

Be nice if RK made some 12 inch pot banjos.

[@zachariahjosephturne]

Awesome playing love love the old time music been playing music all my life needing an open back old time banjo been looking at the deering artisan series especially at the deering goodtime artisan Americana open-back banjo have you ever played one and do you think it would be a good investment to have for a lifelong banjo of course I don't have thousands of dollars to spend on a banjo thanks brother

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Deerings are fine. I played a Goodtime many years.

[@luckysevenairammo1217]

I have a cheapy old 60's Kay 5 string open back and I have to say it has killer sound, that raw old timey thing going on that other really old banjos have. Maybe it's just this one ? The way its cheaply made, the way its set up. I don't know. To be honest I wouldn't trade it for a 3,000 banjo lol I have tried other much more expensive fancy ones and it just ain't the same. They become part of you.

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Roscoe Halcomb and many other greats played those Kay banjos.

[@luckysevenairammo1217]

@@CliftonHicksbanjo Man, you just sent me on a 3 hour Roscoe Halcomb video binge ! The man was incredible !

[@MichaelYoungDrums]

I absolutely love my Deering Goodtime. It's fantastic.

[@robkunkel8833]

I would go with (and have) the Goodtime Americana. 12” pot, strong tone ring. Lots of power. And,. I have nobody to repair a banjo where I live.

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

If I had to do this video over again I would definitely recommend the Recording King "Dirty 30s" for the beginner banjo. They are actually slightly better quality than the Deering, and they come with a lifetime warranty, whereas the Deering (I'm told) only comes with a 1-year warranty. The fact that Deering "Goodtime" lacks a fingerboard and has no coordinator rods means if the neck warps after 1 year, there's probably no way to fix it and no way to get your money back. I'm telling all my new people now to grab a Recording King "Dirty 30s" if they can--they're also CHEAPER.

[@DanDDirges]

Love this two finger style of banjo! Your voice sounds deep and rich in this one! I wish I was a lizard in the spring so I could hear my darling sing! Love, I Wish I Was A Mole In the Ground! Last Gold Dollar is used for the same melody I know and you play that so great! I wonder if the Washburn B-9 Banjo is a decent banjo. I hear the Framus Banjo`s are pretty good.

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

This was the first banjo song I ever learned to play and it may still be my favorite. "Last Gold Dollar" learned from George Gibson who plays it usually overhand. Here I followed Dock Boggs' less archaic version and try to emulate his three-finger sound with my own two-finger style. Gibson grew up just across the border from Wise Co. Virginia where Boggs was from.

[@DanDDirges]

Yes this is on one of your Bandcamp albums with Jake Book I believe. I like that album a lot. Do you know who wrote, Little Bird? Such a great song just like this one.

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Jake Book wrote "Little Bird," it's a fine song.

[@Irish-eyes-793]

Sir, How about the buy and build your own Banjo ? The " Foxfire template " What's your opinion on these ? Thank you, Sir

[@stevenfoley6970]

Good video, thanks

[@Timothydlol]

Clifton do you have any advice on 12" vs. 11" pots and pots made of metal vs. wood? Thanks. Tim

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

It really depends on the type of banjo. I will say that 11" tends offer a plucky, punching tone which I prefer. A metal clad rim also contributes to this type of tone. Most modern 12" banjos don't sound like much.

[@Timothydlol]

@@CliftonHicksbanjo thanks!

[@withelisa]

Wanted a beater banjo that I could take everywhere without worry. Did a few "surgeries" on a junky Epiphone and it is my best sounding banjo now :') oops

[@Letstidytogether]

withelisa what type of surgeries? I have one I am ready to toss out!

[@richardphilpott1225]

Made an uninformed choice and purchased a Deering Blackgrass, for the record "All new Deering banjos carry a six year limited warranty when you register online. The warranty covers defective materials or workmanship in manufacturing. deeringbanjos.com/warranty" I'm gonna try and quit commenting for awhile, my enthusiasm towards your videos is a bit overwhelming prolly.

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

Thanks for commenting. 👍👍

[@richardphilpott1225]

@@CliftonHicksbanjo just scored a SS Stewart 24 hook hex nut off Ebay for 3 bills. Live and learn.

[@AcidTechnoMan5000]

Both the Deering and the RK are some of the most uninspiring looking banjos on the planet.

[@CliftonHicksbanjo]

The "Goodtime" is hideous no matter what ones does; however, the R.K. "Dirty 30s" can be upgraded with a few better parts and made to look pretty decent.

[@clawhammer704]

A lot of folks customize the goodtime banjo. I see them at festivals all the time. Folks put scoops on the neck, recut the Gumby head stock and sanding off the labels craved in them.

[@johnroberts1141]

@@CliftonHicksbanjo I actually think the Goodtime is beautiful. Light colored wood and a sweet tone.

[@willybachmaier]

@@johnroberts1141 actually i dig the goodtime too. they have a really nice wooden tone which u dont get from a metal rim. but no rod is a serious argument against it. they are too pricey nowadays. i would look for a gold tone or anything with a truss rod. heck, gold tone ac-4 composite is decent for the price

[@willybachmaier]

the antiques tend to need repairs, fixing and setup. count that on your money. you can spend 200+ easily on that. u wnat a new head etc.. thats not expensive in itself but u need setup and maybe new slots in the nut, warped necks etc set aside. its safe to buy a new, modern, machined instrument. then, a new bridge is on the line etc... i dig the advantages of machine made fretboards, they tend to be acurate. its modern day technology which is compatible to nowadays fixing methods etc... but nonetheless, a antique banjer sounds gr8 if its well treated. i myself would never buy a antique. too much a hassle i want my stuff to work