John Boulding

Submitted by BarnyardMonkey on 4/9/2015

Overall Comments

John did some work on an 84 Goldstar for me that was in rough shape. i sent some photo's through Email and got a quote, and the price stayed exactly as promised.

 

I shipped it out, and Got the banjo back in around a week, and it looked great.

Great guy and Luthier. 

Overall Rating: 10

Deering: Goodtime II

Submitted by BarnyardMonkey on 5/27/2008

Where Purchased: Online

Year Purchased: 2006
Price Paid: Don't Remember (bought USED) historic exchange rates / currency converter

Sound

A good banjo to learn on,or pick around the house (or a small gathering with a couple instruments).has a mellow bluegrassy sound, but not tinny.can be bright if picked pretty hard.

I don't care for the overtones it produces at times up the neck,but not a bad sound at all other than that.

Sound Rating: 8

Setup

The banjo was setup pretty well since it came from another player.very low action,and the low profile neck made it very easy (almost to easy) to play.

came with a Bart Veerman bridge,which sounded pretty good on this banjo.

Setup Rating: 10

Appearance

Well, the banjo is pretty plain looking,with a flat looking finish.
the headstock design isn't for me. (border line ugly)

The fit and finish was in good shape.

Appearance Rating: 7

Reliability

The weakest area of this banjo i believe is the neck.it doesn't seem to solid in my opinion.

But other than that,its a good solid little banjo.

Reliability Rating: 9

Customer Service

Customer Service: not rated

Components

The tailpiece seemed to be the only part on this banjo (other than the neck) that seemed a bit weak.it would shift around a bit when changing tunings,and the edges and binding joints seemed like they would break easily.

But mine has lasted for around 1.5 years now.

Components Rating: 8

Overall Comments

Overall this is a good little banjo for someone learning,or just having fun picking on it in the yard or whatever.i feel it's a little over priced however (new).

Compared to the GoldTone CC-100 (something in its price range),the GoldTone wins hands down in my opinion.

Overall Rating: 8

Gold Tone: Bluegrass Special BG-250F

Submitted by BarnyardMonkey on 5/27/2008

Where Purchased: Online

Year Purchased: 2005
Price Paid: 375 ($US) (bought USED)

Sound

Banjo had a decent sound,but a bit tinny and some overtones way up the neck.

But had a pretty good bluegrass tone to it.

Sound Rating: 7

Setup

I got it used,and the setup was horrible.I took it to the shop and they did a complete setup.I added a Sosebee Cottonmill bridge,and replaced the GT tailpiece with a presto.

Played well after that.
but the neck seemed a bit clunky.

Setup Rating: 7

Appearance

Very nice looking banjo,with a dark brown finish.

No finish flaws that i could see at all,very solid.
the headstock was my only dislike.

Appearance Rating: 10

Reliability

Solid banjo,other than the factory Tailpiece.
the armrest seemed to tarnish very easily though.

Other than that,it seems reliable. (and heavy)

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

Customer Service: not rated

Components

All parts seemed to be just fine,other than the tailpiece.
which seemed like it could bend easy,and was light.

everything else was good to go.

Components Rating: 9

Overall Comments

I feel this is a decent Intermediate/beginner banjo.i've played it with a small group on a jam and it did ok.

I prefer the sound and playability of the Goodtime2 or CC-100,but the BG-250F is louder,and more solid built. (then the Goodtime 2)

Overall Rating: 8