hickoryknot - Posted - 05/28/2008:  15:24:44

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I am wondering.....I have never had the opportunity to play either of these banjos...I know that Gold Star makes a banjo that is seemingly identical to the Gibson Flying Eagle Granada....How much actual difference is there between the two?

When I was a kid my father said my head was as hard as a hickory knot......hmmm ...a screen name...

Moved from "Banjo Building, Setup, and Repair" to a more apropriate forum.

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Edited by - Banjoman on 05/30/2008 09:31:46

beegee - Posted - 05/28/2008:  15:30:46

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One is made in the Orient and one is not.
One says Gibson, the other says Gold Star.
Is Gold Star currently making a gold-plated maple FE? I haven't seen one since the JD Crowe models. If not, then gold-plating is another difference.
And you'll not find a Gibson with book-matched resonator like the current GS's have.
Quality of sound, fit and finish, workmanship, and guarantee remain open to interpretation and judgment.

__________________________
turtle on a fencepost....

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Edited by - beegee on 05/28/2008 15:37:29

hickoryknot - Posted - 05/28/2008:  15:38:18

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Quality of sound can be a matter of interpretation.....Fit and finish and quality of parts on the other hand is more absolute.....I know the price difference is huge....Is the end product difference as huge?

When I was a kid my father said my head was as hard as a hickory knot......hmmm ...a screen name...

hickoryknot - Posted - 05/28/2008:  15:40:39

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I'm seeing gold plated FE Gold Stars in the current issues of "Banjo Newsletter" ....so I'm thinking yes................

When I was a kid my father said my head was as hard as a hickory knot......hmmm ...a screen name...

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Edited by - hickoryknot on 05/28/2008 15:41:25

beegee - Posted - 05/28/2008:  15:42:08

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For some,"Only a Gibson is Good Enough" For others, a reasonable facsimile may suffice.

GS does not list a gold plated banjo in their website offerings.
__________________________
turtle on a fencepost....

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Edited by - beegee on 05/28/2008 15:42:39

hickoryknot - Posted - 05/28/2008:  15:46:50

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If maybe someone that has played examples of both banjos would give me some input I would appreciate it.....

When I was a kid my father said my head was as hard as a hickory knot......hmmm ...a screen name...

Michael Keith - Posted - 05/28/2008:  16:03:24

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The Gibson Granada neck feels different then the Oriental models. The tone rings are not the same and even the frets are different. I am not saying that the Granada is the best even though I play one because that is an individuals taste that enters into that. But for me having owned both I like the Gibson Granada best. Now the person that just bought my Oriental banjo last Fri loves that one for the price.

stanger - Posted - 05/28/2008:  16:08:46

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Hi, Hickory...
Gold Star does make a gold plated banjo now, if gold plating is important.

I have experience with both brands, and Gold Star has had setup issues in the recent past. As to the current banjos, another player would have to give opinions on the banjos built within the past year or so- you never know if stuff like this has gotten better, worse, or comes and goes. Both companies are using CNC equipment to cut and shape large parts, and the fit on either is good.

The stuff I've seen on the Gold Stars that I don't like are:
The nuts are often overly high, badly shaped, and are notched too deeply. This also applies with the 5th string pip.
The bridges are often funky, and widely variable from good to lousy.
The tailpieces are also either fine or flimsy- there seems to be no steady middle ground.
Same goes for the tuners- they either work fine or very poorly.

None of the above applies to any of the recent Gibsons I've played. Rightly so, for several thousdand dollars difference.

The woods on both are very good, and the tone is very similar between the two. Other than the differences mentioned, Gold Star's inlay work, neck proportions and feel, and overall finish is very clean and nice. Since I haven't played a brand new Gold Star that was made after 2006, I don't know if the issues I mentioned still exist.

One is half the cost as the other- brand names aside, you can't expect to get Gibson quality for half the money unless you go with one of the small US makers, and the cost of materials is closing the price gap quickly. All of the Oriental banjos of good quality still aren't as good overall. It all depends on how important it is to you to have the same visuals.
regards,
Stanger

The pen is mightier than the pigs.

hickoryknot - Posted - 05/28/2008:  16:26:01

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Thank you.....I was wondering I guess if the biggest difference in price was due to labor costs or if cheaper parts were being used....If a bridge isn't up to par I really wouldn't worry so much.....You say that parts like the tailpiece and keys are inconsistent..well to me that's another matter.....I love the looks of the Gibson FE Granada....always have.....I just can't afford that much...I do know what quality is......I have an RB-250 that was my father's...and I have an Ome Monarch that I bought new in 1986......They are both quality but very different in feel and sound...Aesthetics are important to me I guess, and I have seen some very nice fit and finish in electric guitars sold by Schecter that are made in the Orient...I know they are capable of quality work.....

When I was a kid my father said my head was as hard as a hickory knot......hmmm ...a screen name...

Utahclaimjumper - Posted - 05/28/2008:  16:26:47

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I own a GS100 Gold Star 2007 and a Sullivan Festival, I like the Gold Star better in all respects, fit, finish, feel, sound, tone. it also has a one piece mahogany resonater thats beautiful.>>>Dan

Utahclaimjumper - Posted - 05/28/2008:  16:30:13

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Make that a GF100.>>>Dan

Hedge Hog - Posted - 05/28/2008:  16:50:12

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How about the sound of the goldstar as compared to the Gibson? It seems to me that the items Stranger has problems with are relatively inexpensive to fix and I will go as far as saying that several problem parts are routinely changed. It seems that NOBDOY keeps the stock bridge. Less than $50.00 will get you a very nice Presto tail piece. Nuts ate easily reshaped or changed all together. Tuners are changed on some of the very best instruments. Basically you can replace the problem parts for far less than $500. If the sound is decent who really cares if the tone ring isn't exactly the same as a Gibson? GF-85's can be purchased everyday for less than $1000.00 I think the difference in price, even after the relatively minor issues mentioned above are taken care of make most arguements against the Gold Star seem rather minor.

I took a very hard look at the resonator of my GF-85 and I can not see any book matching on the resonator. The neck most likely has a laminated heel, but the glue joint is so nicely done I can't be sure it's glued at all.

My GF-85 had a nice smooth straight neck, the finish is flawless, the tuners could be better but they are very serviceable, the inlays in the neck are wonderfully smooth and I can see only the slightest fill on one inlay and you've got to look very hard to see that. The closer I look at the GF-85 the better I like it. I am fully aware that the GF-85 is not in the same price range as the GF-200 or the FE's, I'd like to geive them a good hard look before deciding on their quality, I can only comment on my GF-85 and I'm impressed. One of these days I'll grab up a Gibson and give it a hard look, I'm willing to accept they are better, but I need to see it to fully believe it.

MJM
___________________________________________________________________________
I love the snap of a finger pick comming off a string.

- open the window and let the angels in ............

grm405 - Posted - 05/28/2008:  17:06:41

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I recently played both banjos, ie. a Gibson Granada at the Gibson Showcase and a Gold Star GF200 at Gruhns, both in Nashville. I found the Granda to be a great disappointment with poor sound and setup. The Gold Star was a delight, with wonderful sound and playability. It was also selling for about 33% of the Gibsons price.

I suspect the construction quality for the Gibson was better, but the setup was not. The Gold Star had the high nut Stanger mentioned, but the tuners and all seemed quite good. The resonator back was one-piece and really nice looking. Overall I was more impressed than with my GF85, and I think that is a pretty good banjo.

The problem with looking at Gibsons at the Showcase (the factory showroom) is that many of the banjos are poorly setup, complete with rusty strings, loose heads and untuned. It makes it hard to determine if the lack of sound was due to setup, or a dud instrument. Several of the instruments were really good (one of the RB's and the Blackjack) while others (Flint Hill Special, Scruggs, another RB, Granada and several top tensions) ranged from marginal to awful sounding. I guess it makes you lose confidence in the maker if that is the face he chooses to put on to the potential buyer.

Given the price difference, or even ignoring that and going only on the sound I would buy the Gold Star. Of course, I also played a Festival at FQMS and thought it was a terrific banjo. Chosing between a Gold Star and a Festival would be a much harder choice.

Gerry

BanjoSKP

Gold Star GF-85 - Posted - 05/28/2008:  17:48:46

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I played a Gold Star GF-85 for a few years and it was a very nice playing and sounding Banjo. The wood finish was great but I had some problems with the Nickle Plating peeling off and a tuner knob breaking. I traded it towards a 1987 Gibson Earl Standard, why? Because I always wanted a Gibson Standard, it doesn't do anymore than the Gold Star did although I do think it has deeper tone which I like, but if I had never traded to my Gibson I would have probably played the Gold Star for a lot more years. It is all in what you want and what you can afford, and I have never been sorry to make the trade.

1987 Gibson Earl Scruggs Standard

McIntosh - Posted - 05/28/2008:  18:47:20

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Its apples and oranges to me. You have one of Gibsons Professional Grade banjos vs an intermediate banjo. I believe that quality is generally speaking of course in Gibsons favor. Gold Stars are good banjos but they lack the feel and texture of a true honest to God classic like the Granada. But then again I play a Recording King, and I think its a great banjo.
Adam

Adam Mcintosh
themandolinstore.com
recordingking.com
Drybranchfiresquad.com
myclassiccountry.com

chrome - Posted - 05/29/2008:  03:22:51

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[quote]Originally posted by Hedge Hog

How about the sound of the goldstar as compared to the Gibson? It seems to me that the items Stranger has problems with are relatively inexpensive to fix and I will go as far as saying that several problem parts are routinely changed. It seems that NOBDOY keeps the stock bridge. Less than $50.00 will get you a very nice Presto tail piece. Nuts ate easily reshaped or changed all together. Tuners are changed on some of the very best instruments. Basically you can replace the problem parts for far less than $500. If the sound is decent who really cares if the tone ring isn't exactly the same as a Gibson? GF-85's can be purchased everyday for less than $1000.00 I think the difference in price, even after the relatively minor issues mentioned above are taken care of make most arguements against the Gold Star seem rather minor.

I bought a Granda, No, Not this first one I played, I tried alot and think I found a good one...Here's the thing, I'm not a luthier and I didn't buy the banjo to work on it.

''07 Gibson Granada SS

Leigh - Posted - 05/29/2008:  15:41:02

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quote:

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The stuff I've seen on the Gold Stars that I don't like are:
The nuts are often overly high, badly shaped, and are notched too deeply. This also applies with the 5th string pip.
The bridges are often funky, and widely variable from good to lousy.
The tailpieces are also either fine or flimsy- there seems to be no steady middle ground.
Same goes for the tuners- they either work fine or very poorly.

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This recaps my GF-85 to a tee. I have grown to like the instrument. I don't have any Gibson banjo experience to relate. From past Gibson guitars though, they were all (EBO, ES330 and Les Paul Custom) very good out of the box. (Thirty years ago though... yikes)

stanger - Posted - 05/29/2008:  17:01:45

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Hi, Hedge...
As I mentioned, the tone of the Gold Star is very good, certainly up to par with Gibson and the higher priced clones, at least to my ear. Since very single banjo sounds slightly different, and price voodoo reigns supreme, I'm sure there will be others who disagree.

Chrome...
You sum it up nicely. Part of the Gibson's cost comes from using only high quality (and high cost) parts. All the small parts add up, and this is one area where the Orientals can cut costs. Even so, there are good quality Oriental parts being made; the real difference is China is still in a learning curve as to what is acceptable to the US market, and Gibson already knows what US players want.

Hi, Adam...
I wouldn't call any of the top Gold Stars intermediate level banjos. Despite the problems I mentioned, they are as good or better than the Gibsons of the 60's and 70's, and are very nicely made overall. The largest difference is the country of origin, which is good and bad- the new banjos cost less compared to American made products, but the also sell for less used, and don't command as good prices when traded. As far as I see it, both brands have pro grade woods, action, durability and tone. The biggest difference is you may have to upgrade some parts on a Gold Star, but not on a Gibson. The simple fact is that most of the world likes American made banjos more than those from any other country.

I doubt very much if you could tell the difference if you played both blindfolded with both banjos set up identically. I know I can't.
regards,
Stanger


The pen is mightier than the pigs.

hickoryknot - Posted - 05/29/2008:  17:47:14

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I like what you just said stanger...........thank you............you know....I like motorcycles too....and I know people who are into this notion that if it's not a Harley it's nothing.......I ride a Honda....great bike.....It's a 96 and I've had it over 6 years and it still runs like a new one....I love what Gibson has done over the years....The name is synonymous with Bluegrass....and I am attracted to that but how much do you pay for a name?....It's all in what you want I guess...,.

When I was a kid my father said my head was as hard as a hickory knot......hmmm ...a screen name...

Kenneth Logsdon - Posted - 05/30/2008:  07:05:43

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Some banjos have it, some (most) don't and the name on the headstock has very little to do with it.. That being said, Gipsons are more likely to have it... But you can't really compare midrange instruments, their fine, some very fine, but as the old picture of the two toddlers staring at each other... "theres a difference"; It may take a different level of "banjo Maturity" and experience to know it though..! Personally I have never agreed with the "prewar label" unless its an all original pot...

KL

sibyrnes - Posted - 05/30/2008:  07:28:49

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I think it really boils down to if you want the real deal or a Chinese made imitation. If you don't care about that, you can certainly save some money! I don't think the motorcycle analogy flies. Honda makes motorcycles based on their original designs that stand on their own merits and are not cheap imitations of Harley Davidsons. Honda is an actual company that puts their name on their products. They don't try to put an American sounding name on a product made in a generic factory in China, yet!

AKUSfan2 - Posted - 05/30/2008:  08:56:15

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I have also played both.
I'll probably start a fire storm here with my 2 cents, but, here goes..

Personally, and this is ONLY MY OPINION, I really wasn't impressed with either.

Yes, set-up has a major factor in how any banjo sounds and plays, however, Gibsons', for the last good many years, really aren't anything much more than "parts" banjos, and, you take "the roll of the dice" as to whether you'll get a decent sounding one or one that sounds like crap, when you plunk down several thousand of your hard earned dollars to buy one. You really need to utilize the "buyer beware" stipulation because, if you happen to get a dud, Gibson won't take it back. Or at least, I don't think that they'll take them back.

Of course, the Gold Stars are basically mass produced oriental imitations, which can put you into a fairly decent banjo without having your finances take a fairly big hit. The caveat is is that they are not high end banjos, they are reasonably priced "imports", nothing more.

Again, I apologize if I have offened anyone, but, you asked a question and I gave you my "personal opinion".



Gary Phelps
St. Louis, MO. 63129

2007 Stelling Sunflower Serial # 6393
Gibson Masterclone RB-250 with Sullivan Rim and Sullivan archtop.

Hedge Hog - Posted - 05/30/2008:  09:13:02

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sibyrnes - The Chinese are only the manufacturer, the banjos are designed and managed from right here in the United States, at least as far as Gold Tone, Gold Star and the Recording King are concerned. The same can be said of the motorcycle industry, a lot of parts found on Harley Davidsons are manufactured in Asia to Harley Davidsons spec's by your statement those parts would be imitations of Harley parts not real honest to goodness Harely Davidson parts.

hickoryknot - Check out my home page, you will see a piicture of my 1984 FLH SHovelhead, the last and very best of the Shovelhead line. Believe me when I tell you, mechanically it's a peice of junk compared to any ot the other big motorcycle manufactures of that era. There is a true love hate relationship between that motorcycle and me. I love my Shovelhead, but I'm far from blind to it's faults. Basically, over the past 20+ years I've replaced enough Harley parts with after market parts to make it fairly reliable. As you indicated, if the Harley guys were truly honest with themselves they would agree, but most will go to their graves saying that the Harley Davidson is the very best motorcycle in the world and the Honda that goes down the road day after day with no problems for tens even hundreds of thousands of miles, until they absolutely die of neglect is a piece of junk. The same goes for banjo's, Gibson is the Harley Davidson of the music industry and for some unknown reason will always be worth more.

Stranger - Very reasonable post. As others have said, I'm impressed with your technical and writing skills.

Chrome - I guess I have a diffferent philosophy. I like to work with my hands and my spare time is basically worthless so spending an hour or so changing Tuners and maybe a tail piece to save several hundred dollars makes sence to me. Bridges and strings and tightening the head doesn't count because they are likely to be changed anyways.

Gold Star GF-85 - I hope this won't happen to mine. I see a lot of writing about failed Nickle plating, Try using motorcycle metal cleaner/sealers on the arm rest and other areas where the plating is touched a lot, most (all) of the tarnishing on my parts have gone away.

AKUSfan2 - I can't speak for others, but your opion is obviously a reasoned one.

MJM
___________________________________________________________________________
I love the snap of a finger pick comming off a string.

- open the window and let the angels in ............

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Edited by - Hedge Hog on 05/30/2008 09:17:21

chrome - Posted - 05/30/2008:  09:33:32

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Hi Hedge Hog, You make some very good points, I've made my whole career by using my hands and have carried a tool box all over the world, The last thing I want to do when I get home is to open a tool box. I don't even change my own oil in my cars

''07 Gibson Granada SS

stanger - Posted - 05/30/2008:  09:36:27

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Hi, Hedge...
If you decide on a Gold Star, and if the parts seem to be questionable, replacing the bridge, tuners and tailpiece would cost about $200 total for all real good stuff. I think the GF85 or 100 are better slightly banjos, as far as appearance goes- the 80 uses a 2-pc. heel (the bottom section is glued to the blank), and a scarfed peghead. I'm sure neither glue joint would ever fail, but the differences of the pieces of wood is noticeable. The 85 has a 1-pc. neck, with only the trad peghead ears glued on. Both are mahogany. The 100 is maple, and looks more like a Granada.
I haven't seen any plating problems at all on the GS banjos I've played.
regards,
Stanger

The pen is mightier than the pigs.

silvioferretti - Posted - 05/30/2008:  10:51:33

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This is a new (China) Gold Star GF-100, FWIW...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ks8J...ture=related


"Could be worse, could be raining"

Silvio Ferretti http://www.scorpionmusic.com

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Edited by - silvioferretti on 05/30/2008 10:51:56

Hedge Hog - Posted - 05/30/2008:  11:09:53

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Stranger - When I was first looking to upgrade I was leaning toward another brand that offered a lot of "pretty" for the money, listened to the good folks here and purchased a GF-85 with very few complaints. I had minor trouble with the fit of the tuner knobs where a little shimming helped a great deal, the tail piece seems just fine, I did put felt under the cover, I really have no complaints with the GF-85 like some of the other guys have. But to be honest, I haven't the experience most of you guys have, I accept that further down the road I just might find issues, at this point I couldn't be happier with my banjo. ........ I am drawn to the good stuff though.

I'm sorry, this is hickoryknot's thread I'm just trying to lend support to the topic.

MJM
___________________________________________________________________________
I love the snap of a finger pick comming off a string.

- open the window and let the angels in ............

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Edited by - Hedge Hog on 05/30/2008 11:12:43

sibyrnes - Posted - 05/30/2008:  11:27:16

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quote:

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The same can be said of the motorcycle industry, a lot of parts found on Harley Davidsons are manufactured in Asia to Harley Davidsons spec's by your statement those parts would be imitations of Harley parts not real honest to goodness Harely Davidson parts.

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Sorry, I tried to resist commenting on that but since you addressed me directly I can't help myself. This motorcyle analogy has nothing to do with the conversation. The fact is that the Gold Star, good or bad, is an imitation of the Gibson. If you are OK with that, then fine. A musical instrument, to me, is more than the sum of it's parts. I honor history and tradition and won't sell it out to the lowest bidder. That's my opinion and I don't expect everyone to agree with it and I don't expect you to consider it a "reasoned one". If you want to talk about Harley Davidsons, I'm sure there are plenty of forums for that.

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Edited by - sibyrnes on 05/30/2008 11:29:21

Hedge Hog - Posted - 05/30/2008:  16:18:29

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The motorcycle analogy was a responce from somebody elses lead in.

Out of curiosity, since the banjo buying public is extremely tradition oriented and scoffs at anything inovative or truly different how many ways are there to make a banjo that would sell? It seems to me that you either follow the basic banjo design largely thought of as being your typical Gibson or you go out of business. I honestly can't say that my GF-85 is a copy of a Gibson, it's simply a traditional mahogany banjo that sounds pretty darned good to me at a price point that I can afford. If it weren't for banjo's like this I wouldn't be able to afford a decent banjo at all.

MJM
___________________________________________________________________________
I love the snap of a finger pick comming off a string.

- open the window and let the angels in ............

hickoryknot - Posted - 05/30/2008:  16:22:27

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cheers Hedge Hog......

When I was a kid my father said my head was as hard as a hickory knot......hmmm ...a screen name...

hickoryknot - Posted - 05/30/2008:  16:44:56

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Quote.........sort of...
This motorcyle analogy has nothing to do with the conversation. loll...... The fact is that the Suzuki, good or bad, is an imitation of the Harley. If you are OK with that, then fine. A Harley-Davidson, to me, is more than the sum of it's parts. I honor history and tradition and won't sell it out to the lowest bidder. That's my opinion and I don't expect everyone to agree with it and I don't expect you to consider it a "reasoned one". If you want to talk about Harley Davidsons, I'm sure there are plenty of forums for that.

Fits like a glove...........lol..........same mind set..........
I didn't make a big deal out of motorcycles......someone else did....I just made a comparison that I think is very valid..............so shoot me.....
This is hilarious........................................

When I was a kid my father said my head was as hard as a hickory knot......hmmm ...a screen name...

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Edited by - hickoryknot on 05/31/2008 03:35:06

schwimbo - Posted - 05/31/2008:  01:32:19

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Hi Mike (Stanger),

You said that the GF100 is maple (meaning the neck and resonator) - I think you meant to say that about the GF200. Both the GF85 and GF100 are mahogany. The tone ring in the GF85 is eventually going to be made of a different alloy than the GF100 to distinguish the 2 models a little bit more, as was the case when they were made in the 1980s. the GF85 had a "brass" tone ring while the GF100 had a bronze ring. I had both models in the past and they both sounded good. I actually liked some of the GF85s more than some of the GF100s at the time. The GF85 of the mid 1980s had a brass flange (which the early GF100 models had - back in the late 1970s and early 1980s), at least for a while longer than the GF100 did (if I recall correctly). Silvio Ferretti might know something about this.

stanger - Posted - 05/31/2008:  11:41:21

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Hi, Peter...
Thanks for the corrections!
I know you played Gold Stars for a long time.

For those of you who haven't heard Schwimbo's playing, check out his music on his home page. Be sure to fasten your seat belt before hitting the Play button...

Hope to come over sometime this summer, and I'll try to look you up if I do.

regards,
Stanger

The pen is mightier than the pigs.

schwimbo - Posted - 06/01/2008:  00:31:13

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Hi Mike,

Thanks for the nice plug (even after I insulted your memory of what number Goldstar corresponded to mahogany and what corresponded to maple) :-) I should feel guilty about nitpicking (on my new nit model banjo) about stuff like that. By all means, get in touch if you get out this way during the summer.

BlueBanjo28 - Posted - 06/01/2008:  09:02:43

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I enjoyed the picking schwimbo!
I have a GF100W SN050486 which has a brass flange but I just got it about three years ago. The sticker inside the rim says "Gold Star banjos are guaranteed to the original purchaser without time limit under the terms of our warranty." I haven't read the warranty yet but it sounds fairly good.
The main problem I have with my Gold Star is, the rim doesn't have a ledge cut for the flange. The flange is just wedged on there which is why the flange bent toward the head. I took the flange off and flattened it back out with an axe (blunt end). I will get the rim cut to fit it one day. I keep wondering about that warranty. I will check it out and may send it back for another rim.

schwimbo - Posted - 06/01/2008:  14:28:50

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BlueBanjl28,

If you got a Goldstar with a brass flange (presumably one of the older models that would now be at least 25 years old - though the serial number may contradict that hypothesis), the warranty would normally cover the banjo to the original owner. Was the banjo purchased new from a Goldstar dealer? If so, was it new old stock (the dealer had it for 25 years or so before selling it)? If you just bought it from somebody as a used instrument, the warranty is not usually transferable, but no harm in contacting Saga to see what they can do for you (if they choose to). Good luck!

Jason West - Posted - 06/01/2008:  15:06:02

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A properly set-up Gold Star can be a very good banjo. I've got a GF-85 that'a a few years old. Granted, I've done a lot to it (tuners, bridge, nut, tailpiece, set-up) but it sounds VERY good. Does it sound as good as my Yates? NO, but it was also 1/4th the price...

As Silvio's Youtube link shows, Goldstars can have very good tone with the right setup and in the right hands. My Goldstar sounds just like the one in that video. Hard to go wrong for the price. I sold several high end banjos but always kept my Goldstar. It took a very special banjo to put the Goldstar back in the case.

JW

BlueBanjo28 - Posted - 06/01/2008:  15:39:41

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I bought it from a music store who sells Saga instruments. They had to order it since it was not in stock.

schwimbo - Posted - 06/01/2008:  20:27:47

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Hi BlueBanjo28,

I would say that your GF85 has a pot metal flange rather than a brass flange. Saga discontinued the brass flanges back in the 1980s. The new Goldstars all have pot metal flanges. The warranty should be good for covering replacing the rim and flange, though they usually want you to report problems to Saga or your Saga dealer before trying to fix it yourself, because they might want to see the problem as it existed before anybody attempted to fix it.

BlueBanjo28 - Posted - 06/02/2008:  04:52:07

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It probably should have a pot-metal flange but by the weight of it I think it may be brass or bronze. I think someome threw the parts
together to get rid of them or something. thanks for the help.

BlueBanjo28 - Posted - 06/02/2008:  09:22:31

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Check this out:
http://www.paulhawthorne.com/banjo/...htm#model100

I thought the Gibson serial number system was bad! Mine must be a very old version or this is all wrong but Paul Hawthorne can
be trusted I think. Mine is SN 050486. I don't get it.

schwimbo - Posted - 06/02/2008:  20:27:18

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Hi Johnny (BlueBanjo28),

The serial numbers at the site you list above are all for older Goldstar banjos (made in Japan). I would guess that yours is a recent one (made in China). I've had some of recent vintage with serial numbers that start with "040..." or "060..." that are from China and have the pot metal flange.

BlueBanjo28 - Posted - 06/03/2008:  04:51:11

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You can buy a new Gold Star GF100W with a brass flange at

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Gold-Star-G...m118Q2el1247

I was listening to the sales pitch and that is what he said! This is a new one on me too.

They all keyed up! (the Darlins)

grm405 - Posted - 06/03/2008:  05:07:33

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I guess that I would be reluctant to buy a banjo from a dealer like this who doesn't know that the flange actually is pot metal, not brass. There was a discussion some time ago and I don't think that anyone other than maybe Cox even makes brass flanges anymore. Maybe Stelling? In any case, this guy is mistaken and the Gold Star has a pot metal flange.

Gerry

BanjoSKP

BlueBanjo28 - Posted - 06/04/2008:  04:44:09

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Here is the GF85 listing:

"PRO PREWAR FEATURES:
Deluxe 3 ply rock maple rim
Traditional fast, bound mahogany neck
Prewar style, deep arch tapered wall resonator
20 hole cast, flathead tone ring
triple nickle plated hardware
Brass, not pot metal flange (improved over the prewar days)
traditional style 3 inlays
Plush Golden Gate case that's upgraded to the CV-1530 vintage case.
14 day money back guarantee from Beyond Guitars, any reason return policy!
Lifetime warranty from Saga Musical Instruments "

I like the part where it says "improved over the prewar days".


They all keyed up! (the Darlins)

bones - Posted - 06/04/2008:  18:05:08

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gibson name does make a difference. consistent quality may be another issue. i own a gold star and would just as soon have it as some of the mastertones i have played. never played the granada. i'm left wondering if we are talking apples and oranges here -- or two different types of apples. i have "customized the gold star-- but, i would do the same thing to a mastertone. so compare price. now if we are talking a 12k banjo that's different.

For Fun and Frolic the One and Only "Mr. Bones" and his trusty 5 string Banjo !

schwimbo - Posted - 06/04/2008:  21:02:10

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Hi BlueBanjo28,

As far as the GF85 flange composition goes, I just heard from Saga that the GF85 flanges are pot metal (not brass or bronze) which is what they have been since Goldstars were reintroduced a few years ago (made in China). This comes from Richard Keldsen through a Saga sales rep, so most likely it is the case. Of course anybody could be mistaken, but as Richard is the force behind all the Goldstar banjos, he should know what is being used in their construction. I don't know what to make of beyondguitars statement about the flange being made of brass.

Hedge Hog - Posted - 06/05/2008:  09:01:10

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If the Beyond Guitars guy is wrong he should be notified. I've emailed him some and like what I've seen so far. His responses came off as open faced and honest. I don't get the impression he's trying to pull one over on anyone. His prices are decent, not cut throat cheap like someone trying to go for the money only.

MJM
___________________________________________________________________________
I love the snap of a finger pick comming off a string.

- open the window and let the angels in ............

BlueBanjo28 - Posted - 06/05/2008:  09:14:09

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My Gold Star flange may actually be brass. I also think my tension hoop is brass. It may be a fluke, who knows.
Define fluke?