Gold Tone Banjola Deluxe submitted 2/5/2008 Submitter TONUP Where Purchased Banjo Teacher. Com Year Purchased 2007 Price Paid 679.00 ($US) Sound I play 3 finger (Scruggs Style) and it really adds a new dimension to the tunes I already know. It has gentle neandering tone, which may not be to everyones taste, that allows it to be played unmuted without upsetting anyone. It's a quiet instrument that would be fine if accompanied by a solo guitar played softly. Definetely no good in a multi instrument session though. The 'guitar like' sutain is quite different from a banjo and notes can blur into one if you overcook the tempo. For the price they could of put in a pre amp like the Pat Cloud model. The proper banjo style peg head drew me to this model. Sound Rating 8 Setup The action is a bit higher than my OB250, but not restrictive. You can't change much else on it, except perhaps the bridge. It's a bit like a guitar in that respect. The tailpiece is a bit tinny! Setup Rating 8 Appearance Looks quite unique and there doesn't seem to be that many around. All the rest of the components, except the tailpiece, are fine. All the finishes on wooden components are pretty much up to standard as well. Appearance Rating 8 Reliability The hardware will probably last quite a while, but this is not a robust instrument. In fact it is very light and seems quite fragile. Reliability Rating 7 Customer Service Ross Nickerson was the epitomy of good service, when answering questions, discussing shipping and organising the order etc. I imagine Gold Tone would support their product fully. Customer Service 10 Components Tailpiece, Tailpiece, Tailpiece!!! Components Rating 7 Overall Comments There are cheaper versions from Gold Tone and other manafacturers out there, but I like a branded product and my other Gold Tones have been perfectly satisfactory so far. It's unique..ish sound make it something different to play whilst being the same. This is no replacement to a resonator or open back banjo, but it does have it's place within the legitimate world of instruments (including some novelty value). It's also great for improvising stuff and working out your own breaks for some reason, possibly because it has a forgiving type of tone. Overall Rating 9

Banjo Teacher.Com submitted 10/16/2007 Submitter TONUP Overall Comments Purchased Banjola from this company and was very impressed with the high level of care and attention taken in responding to my email enquiries. Instrument arrived (US to UK) in perfect condition, with free gift arriving shortly afterwards. Superb service. Very Highly Recommended!! Overall Rating 10

Gold Tone Orange Blossom OB-250+ submitted 3/12/2007 Submitter TONUP Where Purchased Banjo Works, Kent Year Purchased Feb, 2007 Price Paid £945.00 (UK Sterling) historic exchange rates / currency converter Sound Crisp bright sounding, just what I had hoped for Sound Rating 8 Setup Andy Perkins at the Banjo Works in Kent has set this banjo up really well, the action is nice and low and the strings can be fretted with the lightest touch. To start off with I found the bridge a bit on the high side, but I'm getting used to it now. Setup Rating 9 Appearance I have the blonde model and everything seems wel finished and put together Appearance Rating 7 Reliability The hardware all seems to be pretty good quality, at the moment I 've no reason to doubt that it will give good service. Reliability Rating 7 Customer Service I emailed Gold Tone with my query regarding the bridge hieght and received a response the next day from the company president, Wayne Rogers. That's pretty good service in my opinion. Also Andy Perkins at the Banjo Works in Kent was really helpful and patient when I visited his premises to try and buy the banjo. Customer Service 9 Components I've come from a much cheaper banjo so everything feels a lot better. The only thing I would like to add eventually is a set of Scruggs tuners. Components Rating 9 Overall Comments I've played it everyday since I bought it and I am very pleased with my purchase so far. I haven't had a lot of opportunity to play it with other instruments yet, but I dont doubt that it will be able come up to the mark without any trouble. It's said that if you are looking for a top line banjo without spending a fortune Gold Tone are the best for under a grand. Seems accurate so far. Overall Rating 8