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A Shining Homage to Prewar Banjos!





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The Golden Era 5-string resonator from Deering is a masterful tribute that encapsulates the sound, look, and feel of prized prewar banjos, namely those built during the 1930s. Each Deering Golden Era is crafted in the USA with historical research informing high-end components such as a rim, resonator, and neck carved from maple; a bell bronze tone ring; and stunning fingerboard and headstock inlays characteristic of the prewar style. Banjo players at Sweetwater find the Golden Era to be a delightful player in terms of sound and feel. A detailed 3-ply resonator, zinc flange, and bell bronze tone ring usher in strong, crisp bass and treble as bright and clear as a mountain stream, making this banjo a favorite with bluegrass players who want the best of the best. What’s more, the Golden Era banjo is comfortable to play. A premium curly maple neck supports traditional bluegrass playing across all of the ebony fingerboard’s 22 frets. Moreover, the Golden Era resonator banjo comes with a deluxe armrest, a special headstock engraving, and patented hardware to ensure buzz-free performance. This is folk instrument authenticity at its finest ? grab a Golden Era resonator banjo from Sweetwater today!





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Traditional tonewoods with an artisan twist





The Golden Era banjo's curated tonewood selections offer enticing looks and powerful prewar tone. A 3-ply artisan grade maple rim and 3-ply poplar/poplar/curly maple resonator facilitate upscale takes on traditional tone with a strong voice rendered even more musical by the resonator's tone ring. A deluxe curly maple neck with a familiar "U" neck carve offers smooth, effortless playability. Moreover, the neck utilizes quarter-sawn lumber, a prized cut that feels satisfying and stout with quarter-sawn maple's added benefit of being less prone to shifts over time. Quarter-sawn lumber also shows off extra wood grain ? a treat for hands to hold and for eyes to behold! A 22-fret ebony fingerboard topped with intricate "Hearts & Flowers" rounds out this banjo's Golden Era feel with captivating aesthetics and glassy playability.





Bell bronze ? good vibrations, better tone!





The Golden Era's bell bronze tone ring and tension hoop raise the bar on tone quality and resonance. Discerning modern pickers and prewar builds both rely on bell bronze tone rings to keep their banjo loud and musical. Bell bronze gives the Golden Era's tone a bright, shimmering cut with the nuanced overtone depth of church bells. By including bell bronze on the Golden Era banjo, Deering has guaranteed that your banjo's resonator and tonewoods sing together in harmony.





Authentic prewar appointments





Between the Golden Era’s hardware and appointments, the attention to prewar detail is unmatched. The Golden Era’s fingerboard boasts some of Deering’s finest inlays. A “Hearts and Flowers” design unfolds across the fingerboard like a tapestry, concluding with a “Golden Era” block inlay that distinguishes this banjo’s pedigree. Moreover, a blend of high-gloss and hand-rubbed satin finishes protect the tonewoods throughout, imparting a top-notch feel that’s worth every penny. Planetary headstock tuners, a 5th-string geared tuner, and a bone nut keep strings tuning stable while an 11-inch Frosted Top banjo head anchored with 24 heavy-duty J-Hook brackets ensures maximum vibrational transfer between head, body, and strings. Moreover, patented appointments ? a “Smile Bridge” carved from maple/ebony and a “True Tone Tailpiece” tailpiece ? keep strings responsive and free of buzz.





Deering: decades of banjo excellence





From professional-grade parts and exciting accessories to an impressive range of banjo series befitting players of all calibers, Deering is heralded as “The Great American Banjo Company” ? and for good reason! Since 1975, Deering has shown an unrivaled dedication to top-tier American-made quality and innovation in the banjo domain. Today, Sweetwater is proud to walk alongside Deering ? but we aren’t alone! Numerous bluegrass, folk, and country stars spanning the past and present, including Scott Avett, Keith Urban, and Jeff DaRosa, have engaged in the Deering banjo revelry. Are you ready to join the ranks?





Deering Golden Era 5-string Resonator Banjo Features:


Passionately crafted in the USA according to prewar traditions from the 1930s


3-ply artisan-grade maple rim and 3-ply poplar/poplar/curly maple resonator keep tone traditional, snappy, and bright


Premium bell bronze tone ring and tension hoop infuse tone with musical sustain and warmth


AA curly maple neck, quarter-sawn to accent wood grain and enhance stability


Smooth ebony fingerboard adorned with 22 frets


Hardware including a bone nut, a zinc flange, and a Gotoh geared 5th-string tuner support top-notch performance


Deluxe high gloss and hand-rubbed satin finishes protect tonewoods and enhance beauty


Period accurate appointments, including “Hearts & Flowers” inlays and a zinc flange


24 upgraded J-Hook brackets and patented bridge safeguard tone and enhance performance