Gold Star GF-85 Review
Gold Star GF-85
submitted 3/25/2008
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Submitter |
Hedge Hog (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
E-bay |
Year Purchased |
2008 |
Price Paid |
690 delivered ($US) (bought USED) |
Sound
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When I got this banjo it was not setupl. After some attention and a set of American Made Banjo Co. Cryo strings it was ready to play. This banjo can sit up and bark when asked.
Rated an 8 because I don't want to over rate the sound, but it's very nice. |
Sound Rating |
8 |
Setup
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The banjo was purchased used from E-bay, but it was as close to brand new as any used banjo can possibly be. The original owner said the banjo was only a month old and it shows. I don't believe it was ever touched. The head was loose and unevenly tightened, and brackets were loose as well. I was an easy job to correct all these problems. The action was nice without any buzz. The setup could probably be better, but so far I'm impressed with the banjo.
I gave the setup a 5 mostly because the action was spot on. The other adjustments were straight forward with no problems.
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Setup Rating |
5 |
Appearance
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People say this model is plain, but I find it to be just right as far as inlays and glitter is concerned. The finish is as close to perfect as I could ask for.
I rate this a 9 because there's always room for improvement, but to be honest this thing is beautiful in my eyes. |
Appearance Rating |
9 |
Reliability
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At this point I can't comment on reliability. Everything seems well made and strong. If I was pressed to mention something it would be:
- One of the tuners doesn't seem as smooth as I'd like it to be, but it responded to preload adjustment well and time will tell. (it turned out that the tuner knobs were very loose, after some shimming the tuners are much better)
Edit: After shimming the tuners were far bette, but after about a year they started to loosen again. they were replaced with Waverly tuners, a great upgrade to a very nice banjo.
- When the banjo arrived the 5th string tuner was knocked loose, UPS handling no doubt, it was easy enough to put back in and seems tight, I'm sure there will be no further problems
I rate this an 8, but can't actually fault the banjo at all.
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Reliability Rating |
8 |
Customer Service
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Haven't dealt with Gold Star at all. |
Customer Service |
not rated |
Components
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As mentioned above:
One of the tuners is a bit rough, but fussing with the pre-load screw helped. (the knobs were very loose on the tuner shaft, after a little shimming the tuners are much better, Edit: Shimming worked well, but the tuners were replaced with Waverly tuners)
Everyything else seems well built and strong.
Rated an 8 over all, but I have no real complaints. |
Components Rating |
8 |
Overall Comments
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I would definitely recommend this banjo for the price I paid for it, but I got a screaming deal, I'd also recommend this banjo for it's for the normal retail price.
At this point I'm definitely beginning to love this banjo. It's got good weight, it sounds great and is getting better all the time. The finish couldn't be better. Others claim the GF-85 is plain, but to my eyes it's about perfect for a mahogany (sp) banjo.
I rate this banjo an over all 9. Yes, I know if you average my other responses the 9 doesn't work, but I think an over all 9 is fair, after all this is not a $3000 banjo, you can't expect everything, but this banjo really delivers all I wanted and then some.
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Overall Rating |
9 |
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