The Goodtime 2 banjo is proof that an easy to play, good sounding, high quality, American made banjo doesn't have to be expensive. The Goodtime 2 is a resonator version of the Deering Goodtime banjo that was and is not only great sounding, economical and light weight, but extremely popular. The Goodtime 2 banjo has a rock maple neck that is slender and low profile. The frets are precision fitted directly into the rock maple neck just like on the most famous electric guitars made in the '60's (now collector's items carrying very high prices). The neck is fast and easy to fret and fits large and small hands. The tuning machines are all geared including the fifth peg. Tuning is accurate and easy. The precision fretwork gives the Goodtime 2 beautiful intonation up and down the neck. The fingering area has dot position markers of black delrin. The finish is satin in the natural rock maple blond color. The Goodtime 2 pot (or main body) assembly has a multi-ply rock maple and birch rim. The rim is laminated in the same style as the classic banjos of the 1920's and produces a sweet, clear tone that has been compared to banjos costing three times the price. The 16 brackets are held by traditional bracket shoes. The nickel plated two piece resonator flange is mounted underneath the bracket shoes and adds tone enhancing weight and a finishing touch to the appearance of the resonator/pot assembly. The maple resonator is attached to the pot by small screws through the resonator flange. This makes access to head adjustments simple and easy. The Goodtime 2 banjo is made to be played. It is designed to be the very best sounding, easy to play and adjustable banjo available for the lowest possible price. Banjos in this price range usually have thick, high gloss finishes and lots of plastic inlays; both of which are clearly for catching the buyers eye and trying to look like more expensive instruments. In every case, the tone and playability of the instruments is ignored and these banjos are frustrating to tune, adjust and play. With rims made of aluminum, they have a far less desirable tone. Deering puts all of the design and building emphasis on tone and playability. The Goodtime 2 banjos are simple cosmetically, but the tone and ease of playability far surpasses any banjo on the market at this price. Don't buy an 'empty' banjo that is made to LOOK fancy. Buy the American made and designed Goodtime 2 banjo and enjoy playing music, not just hanging your banjo on the wall. Note: Case NOT included.