The Deering Banjo Company has introduced the latest addition to their popular Goodtime series, designed for budget conscious old time 5 string players.
The Americana model is made with a 12” rim, resulting in a larger head surface and a frequency response with greater resonance in the lower frequencies. In modern times, the banjo rim has become largely standardized at 11”, but in the 19th and early 20th centuries it was more common to see head diameters vary a great deal. With a resurgence of interest in older playing styles, manufacturers are responding with greater variety in banjo designs.
To further accentuate a plunky tone, the Americana is fitted with a Renaissance head, made to respond more like the older skin heads, but without the susceptibility to temperature and humidity. The Renaissance head, made by Remo, achieves this quality with a textured coating applied to the mylar material
Like the other models in the Goodtime line, appointments are sparse. The banjo is made from maple with an engraved pattern on the headstock, and simple hardwood inlays in the neck. It’s an open back banjo, with no tone ring and nickel-plated hardware.
Deering offers the Americana for $599.00. More details can be found online.
