February 22, 2024

Taking care of your banjo

The first thought would be a case. I have both a hard case and a soft case. Both have their place in the world.

Head and strings

Deering uses Remo frosted top heads, but I'm sure Deering will sell you a head with their logo should that time ever come.

Strings, this is one of the top 3 questions on the Deering FAQ. Here is what they say:

The most common gauge of strings used on any Deering/Goodtime/Vega banjo is our private label factory light gauge strings made for us by Dunlop here in California. The gauges are 10,11,13,21w,10. These lighter gauge strings will give the banjo a wonderful sparkle and liveliness and because they are not too heavy, they are easier for most players to manipulate with success.

The website currently says that their strings are produced by GHS, despite what the FAQ says.

Stick with the standard "light" strings for the Goodtime.

A new set of strings from Deering will cost about $8 -- they have a video showing you how to change strings.

If you go direct the GHS, you will find a lot of choices (Deering has a number of interesting choices as well). The Prices from GHS are $5.14 per set.

Of course there are a myriad of choices and opinions, one fellow says:

On my deering sierra maple I use mapes nickel steel in 11, 12, 16, 23, 11. Clear as glass and powerful when needed.
One guy says he finds a good price and buys a dozen sets at a time.

Hook and/or stand

The word is that there is absolutely nothing wrong with hanging the banjo from the wall on a well designed hook. In fact one luthier says he does more repairs on banjos that were on a floor stand and got knocked over. The best way to store a banjo is in a hard case (which also allows humidity control). The "string swing" hanger is widely recommended. I now have a string swing and have a couple of misgivings. It is hard to hang a banjo in it without bumping the tuners against the wall. Also (and related to the above) you don't just present the banjo straight on, but you have to tip it to one side or the other and often the first string catches on the "hook" and that can't be good.

So, I took matters into my own hands. I unscrewed the metal Y shaped piece, pulled off the rubber tubing and caps and clamped it in a vise. I measured the inside spacing before I started: 2.65 inches. I used a short piece of pipe to bend the Y shaped yoke wider. I got it to 2.82 inches (measuring at the ends of the Y). I put the rubber back on and voila! Perfect!! I can now present my banjo straight on, and both of my complaints are solved.
It took about 10 minutes and no animals were hurt in the process.

This page describes a different sort of hanger:

Care

Deering recommends a wax impregnated cloth -- or a clean cotton cloth.

Deering has maintenance manuals available for download on their website.