It was in September 1996 that the Deering Banjo Company introduced what has become its most popular and iconic model. The Good Times banjo was the brainchild of founder and chief luthier Greg Deering, who was determined to design an inexpensive student instrument that could be manufactured in his California shop.
From that initial design, the Good Times line has grown to better than 2 dozen different banjos, including tenor, plectrum, parlor and 5 string models, both open back and resonator, acoustic and electric, and tone ring and hoop pots.
Over this 16 years, they have built and shipped more than 50,000 of these popular Good Times models, which make up approximately 75% of Deering’s production, and requiring the work of 32 full-time employees.
To celebrate the anniversary, Deering has created a special limited edition, open back commemorative model which they call the Sweet Sixteen Good Times. It features a unique headstock graphic, chosen through a logo contest this summer, which is also screened onto the head.
Each banjo is numbered on the back of the headstock, and is signed by both Greg and Janet Deering. They are offered in a package for $799, which includes a Sweet Sixteen, gig bag, Deering T-shirt, and letter of authenticity.
Full details can be found on the Deering web site.
