From the Hartford model and up, each fret is glued in place to ensure the finest fret work possible. This tedious process pays off with perfectly even frets and easy refretting in the future. Also, the inside of the resonator has a tapered side wall. More sound is directed outward through the flange holes instead of being caught inside between parallel walls. This feature increases the volume of a banjo and improves the tone. The frets of the Maple Blossom, Deluxe, Black Diamond, Sierra, and Boston are hammered or pressed in by a skilled craftsman.
A Closer Look at the Deering Golden Era
| The Pot: |
The Neck: |
Twenty hole Deering bronze tone ring
Three ply rock maple rim
One piece cast flange
Cremona violin stained resonator and neck
Curly maple resonator
Tapered internal resonator walls |
Curly hard rock maple
Ebony Fingerboard
Hearts and flowers inlays
Bound fingerboard
Two way adjustable truss rod
Glued in frets |
Overview:
The Golden Era banjo is an accurate reproduction of the classic banjos of the 1930's made with the same
materials and the same weight, design and features of the originals. It is comparable with competitive banjos
costing considerably more and far more accurate to the original models than other current production banjos.
For the classic sound, appearance and feel of the prized banjos from the 1930's, at a fraction of an originals'
cost, the Golden Era is the premier choice.
Tone:
The twenty hole, bronze tone ring that is fitted to the three ply rock maple rim is
an exact replica of the most sought after pot configuration of the famous1930s banjos. The cast one
piece resonator flange is the exact zinc alloy with the same mass and design of the original. These are
the most important tone ingredients to achieve the classic sound.
The deep curly maple resonator has internally tapered sidewalls. The depth is to the exact specifications
of the originals and gives that rich, hollow character that is so desirable by today's bluegrass musicians.
The tapered inside walls of the resonator guide the sound out of the banjos' pot. This makes the banjo
more responsive, clearer and helps highlight the bell like harmonics that banjoists need and want.
Playability:
The Golden Era neck duplicates the feel of the originals in neck width, depth and the taper from nut to heel.
The two way adjustable truss rod is smooth, accurate and easy to use and ensures superb playability without
buzzing which allows players of all styles to adjust the banjos action to their own, unique requirements.
The glued in frets ensure perfect fretting accuracy, long term stability and ease of re-fretting.
The natural ebony fingerboard is polished to a smooth, slick surface that is fast and easy for all left
hand fingering techniques.
Aesthetic / Artistry:
The neck, resonator and three ply rim are all finished with Deering's renown cremona stained
sunburst and super polished to a high gloss finish. The lush, rich yet transparent staining process
highlights the beautiful curly maple in the neck and resonator. (The word cremona refers to the
famous violin makers of Cremona, Italy whose priceless instruments were stained with this technique)
The classic "hearts and flowers" mother of pearl inlays on the bound ebony
fingerboard are the most requested and most popular inlay scheme created by the makers in the '30s.
Warranty:
The carefully selected materials, combined with Deerings world renown craftsmanship and
building techniques, make it easy to protect the Deering banjo buyer with a lifetime warranty
against defects in materials and workmanship.
QUIZ
| Question |
Answer |
|
1. What are the most important tone ingredients to achieve the classic sound? |
The twenty hole, Deering bronze tone ring that is fitted to the three ply rock maple rim is an exact replica of the most sought after pot configuration of the famous 1930s banjos. The cast one piece resonator flange is the exact zinc alloy with the same mass and design of the original. |
|
2.What is the benefit of the deep curly maple resonator and the internally tapered resonator sidewalls? |
The depth is to the exact specifications of the originals and gives that rich, hollow character that is so desirable by todays bluegrass musicians. The tapered inside walls of the resonator guide the sound out of the banjo and make it more responsive, clearer and helps highlight the bell like harmonics that banjoists need and want. |
|
3.How does the Golden Era neck compare to the originals? |
It duplicates the feel of the originals in neck width, depth and the taper from nut to heel. |
| 4.What does the two way adjustable truss rod do? |
It insures superb playability without buzzing which allows players of all styles to adjust the banjos action to their own, unique requirements. |
|
5. Is the truss rod difficult to use? |
No. It is smooth, accurate and easy to use. |
|
6. What are three benefits of the Golden Eras glued in frets? |
It ensures perfect fretting accuracy, long term stability and ease of re-fretting. |
|
7.What makes the Golden Era banjo fast and easy to play for all left hand fingering techniques? |
The natural ebony fingerboard is polished to a smooth, slick surface. |
| 8.How is the neck and resonator finished? |
The neck and resonator are finished with Deering's renown cremona stained sunburst and super polished to a high gloss finish. |
| 9.What does Cremona refer to? |
The famous violin makers in Italy whose priceless instruments were stained with this technique. |
| 10.Why are the classic "hearts and flowers" mother of pearl inlays chosen for the bound ebony neck? |
It is the most requested and most popular inlay scheme created by the makers in the '30s. |
| 11.What is the warranty on Deering banjos and how can Deering offer it? |
It is a lifetime warranty against defects in materials and workmanship offered because the carefully selected materials,
combined with Deerings world renown craftsmanship and building techniques. |
