Gold Tone: Bluegrass Special BG-250

Submitted by Canadian Man on 3/23/2002

Where Purchased: Alfie Myher's Music

Year Purchased: 2000
Price Paid: 1000 (Canadian) historic exchange rates / currency converter

Sound

When I had this banjo I was at an intermediat level and I still have it as a back-up. For the price I paid I got an excelent sounding banjo. It was a very wise upgrade. It sounded better ( to my ear) than the banjos from 1,500 to 2,500. For the money, I really recomend Gold Tone. I play bluegrass, and a little melodic style. I played with my Gold Tone in a band for quiet a while and it served it's perpose well. It is quiet responsive and a bright sound. It isn't as loud as the pre-war Gibsons, but it was ok.

I didn't paticularly car for the thicker neck, but it was a good solid banjo.

Sound Rating: 8

Setup

The banjo was set up to go when I got it, but when I got it I can't remember what it really sounded like, it was a while ago, but I have hardly made any changes to it. The only thing I changed is to the D-tuners. I also put a sliding fifth string capo in.

Setup Rating: 8

Appearance

It is pretty nice to look at. It has snow flake inlays, with a dark finish( maple wood). It had an ingraved arm rest when I got it.

On company flaw was it had a crack on the coating of the neck, not big, butI complained.

Appearance Rating: 8

Reliability

I trust that banjo, it is a good solid banjo. It feels that if you dropped it ( I really wouldn't want to) it would hold it's own.

Reliability Rating: 9

Customer Service

I have never had a problem with it, but I think it has a life time warrenty, but not sure. Look at the Gold Tone web site.

Customer Service: not rated

Components

The components seem very good.

Components Rating: 9

Overall Comments

I would recomend it , to an intermediat, but if you already have a really high quality banjo ( higher end Deering, Stelling, Gibson) you probably already know what you want and you have it.

I know have a Gibson, and don't play it much, but for the price I paid I am glad I bought it. It doesn't sound near as good as my Gibson. Any Stelling I have played , rated a lot higher than it. But I have played Gibsons that didn't sound as good as it.
I found it sounded better than the Deering Sierra.

Overall Rating: 6