The Goodtime banjo was a dream of Greg Deering's to produce a great sounding, easy to play and easy to maintain banjo that everyone could afford. The Goodtime banjo is made in America, within the Deering factory and is designed to produce the finest tone and playability possible for the lowest possible price. The rock maple neck has the frets fitted into the neck the same way many of the classic (now collector's item) electric guitars in the '60's were made and are still made today. This technique has passed the test of time. The neck has a slender, low profile that makes it a joy to play for hands of all sizes. The fret work is precise and accurate and Goodtime banjos have an ever growing reputation for having clear and beautiful intonation. Several dealers have told us at Trade shows that the Goodtime banjos have better tone and playability than other banjos they sell for over $1,000.00 (unsolicited comments). The tuning machines are all geared with a geared fifth peg for effortless and precise tuning. The position markers on the fingerboard are inlaid dots of black delrin. The Goodtime rim is made of a rock maple and birch laminated rim. Laminated in the same style as the classic banjos from the 20's, this rim is durable, stable and produces a clear, sweet tone. Most banjos in this price range have rims of aluminum which has good structural integrity but cannot compare to the tone of the seasoned hardwoods used in the Goodtime rim. Some companies advertise a "hardwood" rim but don't tell you what kind of wood is actually used. Rock maple and birch are very similar in hardness and both have a vibrant resonance that cannot be duplicated with softer hardwoods. Yes, there are hardwoods that are relatively soft and cannot sound like maple or birch. Don't be misled. Ask what the woods actually are. The diameter of the rim is a standard 11" so heads are easy to find. There are 16 brackets and a patent pending adjustable tailpiece designed by Deering. The tailpiece follows a traditional style and allows thorough and complete adjustments to the playability of the banjo. The metal parts are nickel plated. The Goodtime banjo is played by top professionals, travelers, beginners and everyone who wants a high quality banjo for a low price. Since it's introduction there have been copycat banjos imported to compete with the Goodtime and we encourage you to compare them. You will find that virtually all of them have emphasized the appearance instead of tone and playability. The Goodtime banjo is designed for easy playing and sparkling, vibrant tone. In the final analysis, the Goodtime banjo is truly in a class by itself and is only overshadowed by banjos costing 5 times as much. Don't settle for a high gloss imitation with plastic inlays that do nothing for sound or playability. Get the only low priced banjo made in America that was made to be played; backed up by a family owned and operated company that has dedicated 25 years to producing the finest banjos money can buy.