Goodtime 2 Banjo

Spent a good while trying to decide which banjo to buy since I had no experience on them and the Deering Goodtime name was always in the conversations. I wanted to buy American and quality and am very happy that this banjo meets those criteria and more. I have no other banjos to compare it to, but I am very satisfied with the build quality and the sound.

I would give it 5 stars but felt with my limited knowledge I shouldn't. I purchased mine from Musician's Friend.

I have owned it for four days and have practiced for 5 hours so far and am satisfied with its performance.

(Posted on 3/31/13)

The goodtime banjo sounds great and fun to play. I have been a banjo player for over 30 years.... Really like my goodtime!!!

(Posted on 3/15/13)

I love my Goodtime 2! I've had the banjo for more than a decade and it still sounds good and plays great. I also like that it doesn't weight a zillion pounds like some of the other high quality banjos out there. Excellent banjo.

(Posted on 3/8/13)

I bought one of the first original Goodtime "Gumby's back when they first came out, and played it for a number of years. Never a problem - changed strings, tightened the head when needed, that was it! Ultimately gave it to a son-in-law when he came home from the service, he had always wanted a banjo, and I don't feel that you can beat a Goodtime for starting out - period. He had definitely earned that Deering and I was proud to pass it on to him - God Bless America, our service men and women, and Deering banjos.

I built a kit banjo and was satisfied with that until recently, when the itch for another Deering hit me. I found a Goodtime Two Crow model and that was it! I play in a local band as a utility man - fiddle, mando, lap steel, etc., and the Crow is perfect for what I need in a banjo. Rock solid, well made, punchy enough to get the job done, fast neck, perfect intonation...it's a just a real sweetheart of a banjo, and at a price point that a part time gigging musician can afford. The Crow Package was great...everything but capos to go do a show. This makes my second winner from Deering...thanks again Greg and Janet!

(Posted on 1/10/13)

I really like the Goodtime 2 Banjo I purchased at a musical yard sale at a music store. One heck of a deal - $125.00 sounds and plays GREAT. THANKS Deering!

(Posted on 10/8/12)

My daughter wanted a banjo for her 18th birthday. I am a firm believer in buying quality instruments for someone learning since the cheap "beginner" instruments are usually not really playable and sound like crap. So, my only banjo playing friend and I headed down to Guitar Center to see what they had. I happen to be a bass and guitar player, and not very knowlegable about banjos. However, once listen to the Goodtime 2 and a close look at it's build quality was all it took to know this is an excellent banjo for the $$! My banjo player friend was very impressed with it's tone, action and build. From my own limited perspective, it seemed very easy to play (good low action and no buzzing or dead spots) and sounded good even when I tried to play it. We bought it over several other banjos in the price range. The others could not match it in tone or quality.
My daughter and I spent spent her birthday taking turns playing until our fingers got tired and then letting the other person do likewise. By the end of the day with some basic chords and picking patterns etched in our brains, we were both able to progress very quickly. After a couple days, my daughter (who did not play any instruments even though my wife and I do) is now able to play a couple songs fairly decently and we all can hear her quick improvement on this banjo. Because this banjo sounds and plays far above it's price point, she looks forward to practicing. This is not a banjo she will outgrow. It's not just a beginner's banjo. It's an excellent banjo at a great price. I'm really blown away by the bang for the buck this banjo has. So much so, that when she goes off to college, I'm going to buy myself one! It's really fun to play and has got me hooked on becoming a decent banjo player.

(Posted on 6/12/12)

I love my Goodtime 2, would recommend it to anyone. It's well built and the action is so light it's really easy to play and even though it hasn't got lots of fancy inlays and gold plating, it looks lovely.
Don't hesitate, buy one.

(Posted on 5/25/12)

I have a Sierra but did not want to take it in my motorcycle trailer when on trips so I purchased the Goodtime. The neck is very much like the Sierra meaning it is very easy to finger and play. The banjo is so much fun to play and easy to listen to. I have it sitting by my chair and play it regularly. I'd heard before that cats loved the banjo and my cat has a habit of jumping up in my lap as I practice. I always felt my Sierra was a very wise choice for a very playable instrument and now I know the Goodtime is the best choice I could have made for a second backup when I'm camping etc.

The Deering quality is very evident in this lower end Deering line. I'm happy. If you think this is a banjo not of quality just look up Mean Mary James and watch what comes out of this quality banjo. Amazing !

(Posted on 5/25/12)

I love this banjo! It has the tone, playability, and the affordable price. Add to that the fact it's American made and you have the ultimate and unbeatable deal in a quality banjo. It's perfect for beginners, seasoned pros, and everybody in between. You can't go wrong with this one!

(Posted on 5/6/12)

I will make this short and sweet-THIS IS the quintessential BEGINNERS BANJO!
This is also the GO-TO Banjo for experienced players!
If you are learning banjo-START WITH THIS ONE!
If you are an experienced player-ADD ONE OF THESE TO YOUR ARSENAL!

(Posted on 5/4/12)