Hi all! New to the group and wanted your opinion. I'm looking at a used 1993 Golden Era owned by a fellow banjo student. He's asking $1,250. He bought about 18 months ago on eBay and has had the head replaced. Is this a fair price?
I'm upgrading from my Goodtime Special.
18 Comments |
 | roady24 says:
10/19/2012 6:07:12 AM
If it is in good condition that is a great price. I have a 2004 and I love it. I would buy it today. The usually sell for around $2000.
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 | geofisher says:
10/19/2012 6:50:10 AM
I would agree with roady24. From what I've seen, in good condition, they're around $2000 or more. That would be a good deal and definitely a fair price.
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 | Bob Murphy says:
10/19/2012 7:16:56 AM
If its in reasonable condition, it's a STEAL. By it.
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 | RUSTYSTILL says:
10/19/2012 7:28:17 AM
Elderly's is asking $3549 new. Some rules of thumb I use....people buy for name, looks, vintage or sound/playability or a combination of these. Given equivalent construction and sound, an individual with tons of inlay and other aesthetic only factors can easily go for $1k more than it's plainer sibling. I buy for sound and often you can get great sound, as good as a new one or better for deal prices. I probably couldn't sell my '73 D-28 for much more than 2K yet it blows away any new one and is only rivaled by the HD 28s that go new for much more. Sometimes though the sound of the "deals" is not equal to the higher priced models and sometimes a little neck/nut bridge and other setup factors can make them better than a new one. Bottom line in this case would be to play a new one, play the one for $1250 and if they sound remotely close, you're getting a smokin' deal.
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Zaphod221 says:
10/19/2012 7:31:36 AM
The neck has a few scratches. Cosmetic only, nothing affecting playability. As a 1993 model with no '06 tone ring, does that impact value or is it merely an impact on sound
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Zaphod221 says:
10/19/2012 7:51:56 AM
The neck has a few scratches. Cosmetic only, nothing affecting playability. As a 1993 model with no '06 tone ring, does that impact value or is it merely an impact on sound
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 | darrelhayes says:
10/19/2012 8:12:45 AM
Keep in mind Deering changed rim and tone ring in 2006. I purchased a 2010 Golden era on ebay some time ago for under 1800.00. But the most important thing to consider is "do you like how it plays and sounds". I alos have a Maple Blossum 1985 ventage and frankly I love it and play it more than the Golden Era or my 1980 Gibson RB 800. So it;s all about what you like.
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Zaphod221 says:
10/19/2012 9:17:23 AM
I appreciate all the feedback. I've heard it played and it's richer and than my GTS, no doubt owing to the tone ring. I'm scheduling a play test for the weekend to see how it feels under my fingers. I'm interested to see how I adjust to the wider neck, compared to the slender cut of the GTS.
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| roady24 says:
10/19/2012 12:05:30 PM
In my opinion the 2006 tone ring is not as good as the older one for sound, that that is why I have an'04.
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 | birdmanUK says:
10/19/2012 1:36:36 PM
If the scratches are minor and there's nothing else wrong, then it's a bargain. If you like the sound, don't let it get away!
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| Bob Murphy says:
10/19/2012 2:03:13 PM
I have a 99 golden era, and changed the tone ring for the 06 ring last year. even if you want to change tone rings, you are still getting a great deal. The older golden eras generally had a rosewood fretboard, rather than ebony, which I prefer.
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 | healingbalm says:
10/21/2012 4:56:31 PM
That is great deal! I have an 04 GE and absolutley love it. You wont find more banjo for $1250, thats for sure!
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| birdmanUK says:
10/22/2012 4:54:02 AM
Did you get it?
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Zaphod221 says:
10/22/2012 9:30:53 AM
Deal is close, but not done. We have an agreement on price.
Seller is now looking for a replacement banjo and will price that market; I didn't factor that into his timeline. (He's looking for a used Golden Wreath or potentially a John Hartford. Any leads?).
Got to play it. Nice bluegrass kick, especially compared to my Goodtime Special. I thought the fingerboard would be wider, but it's not. It's slender near the nut, like my GTS. Bass sounded deeper. And, of course, it weighed a ton compared to the GTS.
The current owner had it cleaned and set up by banjo.com after he bought it. He had a Sosebee bridge and Earl Scruggs strings installed. The instrument has five spikes installed (by previous owner) along the fifth string and has a Presto tailpiece.
Almost done. Fingers crossed!
Really appreciate all the advice for the group. Will let you know when I get the GE home :)
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Zaphod221 says:
10/22/2012 9:45:42 AM
Deal is close, but not done. We have an agreement on price.
Seller is now looking for a replacement banjo and will price that market; I didn't factor that into his timeline. (He's looking for a used Golden Wreath or potentially a John Hartford. Any leads?).
Got to play it. Nice bluegrass kick, especially compared to my Goodtime Special. I thought the fingerboard would be wider, but it's not. It's slender near the nut, like my GTS. Bass sounded deeper. And, of course, it weighed a ton compared to the GTS.
The current owner had it cleaned and set up by banjo.com after he bought it. He had a Sosebee bridge and Earl Scruggs strings installed. The instrument has five spikes installed (by previous owner) along the fifth string and has a Presto tailpiece.
Almost done. Fingers crossed!
Really appreciate all the advice for the group. Will let you know when I get the GE home :)
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Zaphod221 says:
10/22/2012 9:49:13 AM
Deal is close, but not done. We have an agreement on price.
Seller is now looking for a replacement banjo and will price that market; I didn't factor that into his timeline. (He's looking for a used Golden Wreath or potentially a John Hartford. Any leads?).
Got to play it. Nice bluegrass kick, especially compared to my Goodtime Special. I thought the fingerboard would be wider, but it's not. It's slender near the nut, like my GTS. Bass sounded deeper. And, of course, it weighed a ton compared to the GTS.
The current owner had it cleaned and set up by banjo.com after he bought it. He had a Sosebee bridge and Earl Scruggs strings installed. The instrument has five spikes installed (by previous owner) along the fifth string and has a Presto tailpiece.
Almost done. Fingers crossed!
Really appreciate all the advice for the group. Will let you know when I get the GE home :)
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Zaphod221 says:
10/24/2012 5:28:27 AM
Bought it! We settled on an even $1,200, which included the original case, which shows its 19 years of age. Just played a few riffs of Dueling Banjos at home. I had considered a used Sierra for sale locally but liked the sound of this Golden Era. Thanks again for all the great advice, Deering owners.
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| birdmanUK says:
10/24/2012 2:15:35 PM
Cool! Congratulations and happy pickin'
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