Deering Goodtime Blackgrass Review: Black Glamorous Banjo from Deering Brand! (2023)

Deering Goodtime Blackgrass

Deering Goodtime Blackgrass Review

Rating: 5 out of 5.
  • Nut width: 31.8 mm (1.25″)
  • Scale: 667 mm (26.25″)
  • Colour: Black, matte
  • Made in USA

Deering Goodtime Blackgrass Review

This Deering Goodtime Blackgrass 5-String banjo, in black with chromed tension hooks, would be a great choice for the Goth bluegrass enthusiast.

If you are looking for a banjo with a darker tone and color the Goodtime Blackgrass is the banjo for you. The black color on the all-maple wood is complimented by matte black hardware and a black head for a dark twist on a traditionally designed instrument. 

The Blackgrass was designed exclusively for Deering Banjo Co and is made in the same San Diego factory as all other Deering models, echoing some of the aesthetics of the new Goodtime Artisan models. This banjo still comes with the ever-present 3-ply violin-grade maple for optimum tone and resonance and the Artisan style Pearloid inlays on the Midnight Maple fingerboard.

In addition to offering the same level of performance as other top-rated Goodtime models, the Blackgrass is also designed to cater to non-traditional players. This is certainly worth an honorable mention from the brand since there are models from Deering Goodtime that are even more eye-catching than this one.

Blackgrass is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a banjo with an edge in the looks amazing, regardless of whether you’re a true picker, a punk rocker, or a punk picker.

Deering Goodtime Logo

Blackgrass Design

Deering Banjos has developed Midnight Maple in response to widespread reports that exotic woods are being overharvested. Over four years of research and development (as well as patience) have gone into producing an ethically sustainable, readily available, and in-house-manufactured fingerboard.

With Deering’s technology, the tight grain of rock maple can be penetrated all the way through the wood, unlike stained maple boards commonly found on instruments of the past. On the fingerboard, no raw wood can be seen due to string wear, and the stain does not come off on the hands of the player. 

Not only is this banjo stunning in appearance, but it also has a lot to offer. As you would expect from Deering, it has the classic playability you are used to. There are three layers of violin-grade maple in the pot with a steel tension hoop and an 11″ high crown head. In addition, there is a slender rock maple neck with a geared fifth string on the Goodtime Blackgrass.

Deering Goodtime Blackgrass Horizontal

Featuring fine banjo appointments, the Goodtime Blackgrass boasts exceptional sound, excellent playability, and striking aesthetics. This banjo features a Midnight Maple fingerboard with 22 nickel silver frets and artisan-style inlays in the style of the 1950s.

Located on the Deering fiddle-shaped peghead, the Blackgrass logo is engraved with planetary tuners surrounding it. The Blackgrass also comes with a steel coordinator rod and Deering’s patented Goodtime tailpiece.

Specifications:

Neck:

  • Satin Black Slender Rock Maple Neck
  • Vintage Artisan Style Inlays
  • 22 Pressed In Nickel Silver Frets
  • Goodtime “Blackgrass” Logo Engraved On Peghead
  • Planetary Tuners
  • Geared 5th String Tuner
  • Spikes installed at 7th, 9th, and 10th frets
  • Deering Fiddle Shaped Peghead

Pot:

  • Satin Black 3-ply Violin Grade Maple Rim
  • Durable Matte Black Powder Finish
  • Steel Tension Hoop
  • 11″ Black High Crown Head
  • 5/8″ Maple/Ebony Goodtime Smile Bridge
  • 16 Flat Hooks with 9/32″ Nuts
  • 16 Bracket Shoes with Screw Attachments
  • Deering Patented Goodtime Tailpiece
  • Steel Coordinator Rod for Adjustments

Dimensions:

  • Neck Width at the Nut 1 1/4″
  • Scale Length Nut to Bridge 26 1/4″
  • Rim Diameter 11″
  • Resonator Diameter 13 7/8″
  • Overall Instrument Length 38″
  • Weight Approx. 6 lbs

Resonator:

  • Satin Black Stained Maple Resonator
  • Black Binding
  • Durable Satin Finish


Why To Go For the Deering Goodtime Blackgrass

The Blackgrass banjo is a choice that can suit many banjo players and with that being said – the banjo will produce the recognizable Deering tone with a touch of darkness to it. Do not fret about it, if your music or genre requires such tone, you are going to be very pleased with it.

The standard of the banjo is also up to the brands other models, both in terms of sound quality and build quality as well. We highly suggest you to try out this banjo and if you need something more unique in both appearance and sound to go for it.

9Expert Score
Deering Goodtime Blackgrass Review

This Deering Goodtime Blackgrass 5-String banjo, in black with chromed tension hooks, would be a great choice for the Goth bluegrass enthusiast.

Features
8
Sound
9.5
Design
9
Pros
  • Great Sound
  • Amazing Black Color
  • Resonator
Cons
  • Not a budget unit
  • Might sound a bit too dark for standard banjo sound

Conclusion

What we really liked about this banjo is that is not a usual one in terms of looks. Every dark genre banjo players will favorite this one, for multiple reasons and not only for the color. We believe that if you were thinking of getting this one, this review will help you go a step further and purchase this gem from Deering Goodtime.

If you are having any questions or doubts about this banjo, please head over to the comment section below and share your opinion with us – or reach to Goodtime website and ask for more details about it.

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Charles Steinhoff

Charles Steinhoff

Charles is here and I am guitar and ukulele enthusiast. Been playing these instruments for over 10 years now and I decided to share some of my knowledge and expertise with the world in terms of these stringed instruments and it's accessories.

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