International Jazz Banjo Newsletter

NEW, VERSATILE GOODTIME PLECTRUM BANJO BY DEERING.

Deering Banjo Company introduces the Goodtime plectrum banjo! Plectrum banjos are used popularly for American Dixieland Jazz and widely throughout the United Kingdom and Europe. The new plectrum Goodtime models are made of rock maple for the traditional brightness, power, and sparkle required with music played on this type of 4-string banjo. With a scale length of 26 ¼”, like their 5-string counterparts, plectrum style players will find the banjos have the same responsiveness, portability, and ease of play that have made the Goodtime banjos a world-wide favorite among professional and banjo enthusiasts alike. Retailing for $479 through $1159, the plectrum Goodtime banjos are being created with the traditional Deering peghead shape and are available in either a natural blond or in a rich, dark brown stain. Fabulous for casual players and enthusiasts alike, call your local Deering and Goodtime dealer to order one today! Or, you can call the folks at Deering Banjos through their toll free number, 800-845-7791.
Most noted for their use in Dixieland music, the plectrum banjo is also great for folk music and “sing alongs.” Versatility in tuning is a remarkable feature of the plectrum banjo. It can be tuned to the first four strings of a guitar (the same as a baritone ukulele), in open G tuning, or in the standard D, B, G, C plectrum tuning. The narrow neck makes it easy to play either by strumming or pushing down on the strings. With light gauge strings it can be played with the simplicity and ease of a ukulele but with more volume, bass, depth, and fullness. On a historical note, the word “plectrum” refers to a flat pick, commonly used to play this 4-string banjo and is a term that was used in the early 20th century instead of the word “pick.”
The Goodtime banjo line has grown from the much appreciated openback 5-string to include 5-string resonator and tonering models, left and right-handed styling, 17-fret and 19-fret 4-string tenors, and now the new 22-fret, 4-string plectrums. At its inception, the Goodtime banjo was meant only to be the openback 5-string version. Because Greg Deering is focused on customer needs, he has responded by expanding the Goodtime line to now over 40 versions of this ever popular American made rock maple banjo.
For more information on the American made, quality banjos from Deering Banjos, log on to their website, www.Deeringbanjos.com or call them at the toll free number, 800-845-7791 for more details.