Q&A | Lyon & Healy vs Deering Goodtime Americana?
Added 2018-05-05 12:54:58 +0000 UTC"I currently have a really junky Epiphone MB-100 banjo. I've learned to play some basic stuff, but the banjo is not easy to play which makes practicing frustrating. I'm looking to upgrade to something a little better and was hoping you could throw some advice my way. I'm considering a Deering Goodtime Americana with a 12 inch head. I feel like this is the safest option. I also found a restored turn-of-the-century Lyon and Healy for a decent price online. I dig the tone you get with your antique banjo and like the idea of owning something with some age to it. Which would you suggest?" - Tyler
(intro music: Sammy Where You Been So Long from Dock Boggs, 1928)
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Comments
I've got the same: a prewar Little Wonder with one of those Whyte Laydie necks from Bernunzio. It sounds awesome, very rich and loud. But those necks don't have truss rods, so it's a bit fiddly....
Jake Tolbert
2018-05-16 19:19:08 +0000 UTCI agree, I have scored some major deals on there from time to time. Just picked up a prewar plectrum Vega little wonder for peanuts. Ordered a neck from Bernunzio today to convert to 5 string.
Alan
2018-05-06 01:19:29 +0000 UTCI hit the jackpot on eBay a few months back and found an old Lyon and Healy for $150 that really only needed a new nut to be a functional banjo. But I spent the extra time and money once I got the banjo and completely restored it, now I’ve got about $300 in total for a great old banjo, keep your eyes peeled on eBay sometimes you get lucky
Patrick Campbell
2018-05-05 22:14:53 +0000 UTCJohn, look out for a filmed response to this question. In short: the scoop does make a difference, however, it is not necessary. Also: any luthier (or you) can scoop a fretboard with basic tools and skills.
Clifton Hicks
2018-05-05 21:11:15 +0000 UTCI have a $150 Chinese made Fender, and a 1970's Framus that cost me about $550 USD. I do love them both. My big thing is I will never again buy an instrument without giving it a decent amount of playing time. My dilemma is, I got it my head that a scooped banjo would suit me style. Living in a rural part of Canada, there are not a lot of dealers around, so just accessing a scooped banjo to play is a challenge. So do you think the scoop makes much of a difference. Like Tyler I am tempted to order a scooped Goodtime banjo, again I would consider it a 'safe' purchase. Thanks again.
John F. Cooke
2018-05-05 19:25:49 +0000 UTCYes, I recall you telling me that.
Clifton Hicks
2018-05-05 15:29:57 +0000 UTCI wasn't kidding when I said you will learn more from your "students" than they learn from you! (I am pretty sure I said that, I say it all the time anyway!)
Micheál Mac Labhrás
2018-05-05 13:21:27 +0000 UTC
