Deering Goodtime 19-Fret Tenor Open Back Banjo #92620

In the hands, this short-scale machine offers a remarkably light, nimble, and effortless playing experience that is tough to match on a heavier, tone-ring equipped model. Weighing in at an incredibly agile 4.5 pounds, it completely reduces shoulder fatigue during long, standing stage performances or late-night jam sessions. The rock maple neck features an ultra-fast satin finish and an intuitive 1 3/16" nut width that sits beautifully in the palm, letting you fly up and down all 19 pressed-in nickel silver frets without hitting any drag. The 23" scale length provides a tighter, more intimate string tension that is absolutely perfect for the fast single-note flatpicking styles of traditional Irish trad music or the syncopated chord work of classic jazz strumming.

Visually, the instrument honors an elegant, understated aesthetic that masterfully coordinates industrial utility with historic American design elements. The bright, un-stained rock maple neck and multi-ply rim are treated to a smooth, hand-rubbed polyurethane and carnuba wax finish, leaving the natural beauty of the grain entirely open to the touch. Deering completely ditched flashy plastic overlays, opting instead for striking, Art Deco-inspired hardwood fingerboard inlays that give it a highly distinguished look on a stand. What really sets this particular openback apart, though, is the premium US Bronze powder finish applied to the steel tension hoop, flat J-hooks, patented Goodtime tailpiece, and armrest, delivering a warm, antique metallic posture that frames the 11-inch bottom frosted high-crown head beautifully.

The actual driving acoustic character behind this tenor model comes down to a highly responsive, openback rim recipe engineered for maximum midrange bite and vocal-like clarity. By turning away from a heavy, metallic tone ring and a closed resonator, the 3-ply violin-grade maple rim radiates a wonderfully woody, dry, and organic percussive pop. It generates an immediate note decay with an exceptional amount of sweet, acoustic warmth that doesn't get overly harsh or piercing in the high register. The openback design allows the notes to spread out naturally against your torso, creating an incredibly expressive, touch-sensitive platform that works beautifully whether you are backing up a fiddler or taking a blistering single-note melody lead in an acoustic ensemble. Complete with a 5/8" patented Goodtime Smile bridge and a robust dual-action truss rod, this 19-fret tenor is a serious, California-crafted workhorse built for the modern traditionalist.