Deering Tech: How To Change Your Deering Goodtime Banjo Head

[@pirate1898]

Ordered head change kit on Monday from Deering website. Package arrived in the mail on Wednesday afternoon. Watched head change video on Wednesday night. Changed, cleaned, set-up, and ready to play Thursday morning. That is absolutely incredible. You guys are an amazing company. Thank you!

[@TimSoden-p6w]

Thanks for the video very reassuring when I changed the head on my Silver Clipper. Kind regards Tim

[@lukasrh]

very helpful video, thank you so much. I was shocked a little bit that I had to remove the neck in order to change the head of my banjo but it was a great relief to find this video and the process worked out smoothly.

[@randomscandinavian6094]

Lucky that this video arrived just before my planned head change. The change took me a long time and there was a lot of swearing and nervous shaky hands involved but now I think I can call it a success! :) The action feels a bit different but I will probably adjust to it in a day or so. Much of it could just be the new strings after a couple of months using the old set. I will probably have to tweak it a bit as the new head settles in. Anyway, thanks a lot for the video! Extremely helpful!

[@eggsclusive12]

Can you make a video of how to install armrest on Deering Goodtime.....I just bought one of these and honestly, it's a great banjo...but why oh why does it not come as standard with an armrest. I bought the whole starter kit.....immediately realised that I had to start spending more money because it's so painfull to play without armrest !!!

[@DeeringBanjoCo]

That is a good idea. Lets see what we can do for you.

[@thomas7johns]

Cool...don't know of I trust myself to do this but glad I have this to reference against, just in case.

[@DeeringBanjoCo]

+TJJ7 If you are not confident, it might be better to start with some of our earlier videos that are a good lead up to maintaining your banjo. There isn't much you can do to it as long as you work slowly and follow Chad's guidelines. He has been doing this for a long time! If you get into trouble, just call us and we can help you through it. Our customer service line is [phone].

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@DeeringBanjoCo I always clean the Banjo up with the old strings and Drum Head off, cause a shiny Banjo sounds very good too. You should also make for all the Cellists out there, the Banjello which is a Cello that uses a Banjo head which gives it a special sound. It is tuned C2, G2, D3, A3, and for 5 string versions it adds an E4.

[@ricker76er]

Could you provide a torque setting for tightening the neck to the rim? I wouldn't want to over tighten.

[@perrybucsdad]

I've seen others use a drum bearing conditioner on the rim before you put the new head on... is that necessary? The Goodtime has a wood rim, but the other Deerings it goes on the metal tone ring and that is where I have seen people apply this lightly. For your banjo's with the metal tone ring would that be necessary?

[@billieshawn]

It took me some time to notice the tension hoop is beveled and the beveled side must go up. Also, why is it necessary to remove the neck to replace the head?

[@RoScoHutch]

You've probably already figured this out, but posting for other people like me who were wondering the same thing. I just learned that there is not enough room to remove the old head and put on the new one without removing the neck. At least that's how it is on my Goodtime Artisan Special.

[@DJsnakeboy94]

could you make a video that shows the difference in sound between the different kinds of heads? :) it would help a lot since there isn't many videos about the subject :)

[@DeeringBanjoCo]

Good plan! It is on the list. we would probably be able to do one that, at the very least covers the standard heads. Watch this space!

[@dtstewart64]

I've got a Goodtime Banjo ... guess it was made in 2001 (says the dates 1901 to 2001 on it; seems to be some anniversary edition; number 33 of 100). I'm wondering if they were made a bit differently in 2001. Anyhow, I'm trying to take out the coordinator rod. I loosened off the inside nut, but it only goes to the end of the threaded end, and when I then try to use an Allen wrench to twist out the coordinator rod, I can't get it to the end of the rod where it screws into the pot and heel of the neck without that nut being driven back into the bottom of the banjo. I've stopped because I'm afraid of damaging the instrument. Any advice? BTW, at the top of the rod there are a bunch of washers (7). I'm also going to repeat this question on your website in the support area. That coordinator rod sure isn't just coming right out as in this video!

[@bkm6175]

I have a goo time would like to see how to install a resonator

[@cameronmacgillivray3523]

@Deering Banjo Company I've got a few questions about tightening a new head. Are the two flanges meant to be level with each other at tail piece end and at the neck end? Should the tension hoop be flush to the bottom of the head all the way round? When you attach the neck should it be level with the banjo head or is there meant to be a little step?

[@DeeringBanjoCo]

Hey Cameron! What model banjo do you have?

[@cameronmacgillivray3523]

@@DeeringBanjoCo its a deering goodtime banjo

[@DeeringBanjoCo]

Great! This should walk you through the whole process: www.deeringbanjos.com/blogs/banjo-maintenance-tips/9210407-how-to-tighten-your-banjo-head

[@KunchangLeeMusic]

Great video

[@steven4776]

could you post links to everything used in this video ?

[@motehopper]

Why would you change your bridge? A $30 Snuffy Smith to be changed?

[@go4ll812]

Thanks!!!!!!!!!

[@saintless]

So, don't use medium gauge strings on my GoodTime Americana? :( I guess it's time to go neck shopping.

[@DeeringBanjoCo]

It isn't something that we recommend. But with that being said, i have had my own Goodtime set up with mediums for the last 3 years with zero problems.

[@saintless]

Thanks. I'm going to try to adjust myself first. I absolutely love the instrument, but the strings are just too easy to move with the lights! Of course, for anyone just starting with string instruments, that's definitely a benefit; I swear, I feel like I'm playing an electric guitar it's so easy to finger. If I do go medium, I'll keep a close eye for any bowing.

[@markosterman419]

And here I thought you were stretching a skin head.