With repeated requests from its customers to create a 6-string Goodtime banjo, Deering focused on giving the customers what they want with the new Goodtime Solana 6. The new Goodtime Solana 6 is a new kind of 6-string banjo designed to bring out the creativity in the player and features all of the American craftsmanship and quality that owners of Goodtime banjos have come to expect.
"Deering Has a Winner On Their Hands"
- Collectible Guitar Magazine, 2014
The Solana 6 stands out from the pack thanks to is its nylon strings which offer the player a sweet, mellow tone akin to a classical guitar, but with the bright undertones of a banjo. Marketing Director David Bandrowski comments “We always knew that nylon strings were popular in the guitar world and we were keen to find out how they would compliment the sound of a modern banjo. We introduced an early prototype at the Sarzana Guitar Festival in Italy in 2011 and the response was tremendous. We pursued the idea further and made some changes to improve the instrument and the result is the Solana 6.” Continues Bandrowski, “What is really exciting is that a recent poll by Acoustic Guitar Magazine found that more than half of all nylon string guitar players surveyed are using nylon strings for pop/rock/folk music. This really reinforced our belief that the Solana 6 was a special instrument that would appeal to a generation of truly creative musicians.”
The versatility of the Solana 6 is rounded off with a piezo pickup that sits directly under the Deering patented East Indian Rosewood bridge plate, formerly seen only on Deering’s Phoenix 6-string banjo. The bridge plate is placed underneath the hand crafted Deering bridge and is designed to balance the string vibration resulting in an increased sustain, decrease in boominess, and less feedback allowing the player more freedom in a live performing situation when partnered with the piezo pickup. The sound of the Solana 6 is further enhanced by the new larger Grand 12” rim which creates ample breathing room for the natural low end of the Solana 6, making a bold statement right out of the box.
The rim of the Solana 6 is constructed of the same 3-ply violin grade maple that is at the heart of the entire Deering banjo line up. The rock maple neck features East Indian Rosewood ring style inlays, a classical guitar inspired peghead, and smooth, accurate classical guitar tuners with pearloid buttons. The beautiful blonde maple of the Solana 6 is further complimented by a dark East Indian Rosewood custom tailpiece which bares the Deering name.
Retailing for only $899, the Goodtime Solana 6 banjo will be available to customers through authorized Deering dealers.