Paul Roberts - Posted - 11/09/2009:  17:22:42

Folks want a comparison between the Gold Tone MM-150 and Gold Tone WL-250, both of which have White Ladye tone rings. I asked Wayne Rogers, Gold Tone's owner, to compare the two. He says, "Same banjo: MM-150 has a rosewood fingerboard; WL-250 has an ebony fingerboard and prettier cosmetics. That's the only difference."




Paul

http://www.banjocrazy.com/ Gold Tone Banjos - Lowest Prices

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jamie_t123 - Posted - 11/09/2009:  17:47:52

Hi,
I own more than a couple of each and I agree with Wayne 100%

Never get between a Woman and her Banjo!

Paul Roberts - Posted - 11/09/2009:  20:12:01

Hi Jamie,
Thanks for responding. At first I was surprised that anyone would have such a collection of MM-150's and WL's... until I glanced over at my cello banjos...
Couple questions:
1. how are you using them and setting them up (as in, why do you need so many)?
2. can you give more insight into the comparison? do they feel and sound exactly the same?
Hanging out with several of these, you'd be in the best position to know.

Paul

http://www.banjocrazy.com/ Gold Tone Banjos - Lowest Prices

http://www.youtube.com/user/strumstering Paul's YouTube Channel

Domestos - Posted - 11/10/2009:  05:00:13

aHA!!! I just bought a MM150 from Andybanjo in UK. (at least I think it is.. he calls it a WL150) and it's brill! I love the sound of it although when you really go for it you can feel the vibrations in your stomach and ornaments fall off the mantlepiece. I'm glad to have that confirmed, I favour the plainer looking Banjo.

jamie_t123 - Posted - 11/10/2009:  05:46:52

Hi Paul. Love those Gold Tones! To best sum it up, the MM-150 is like a Fender Telecaster and the WL-250 is like a Les Paul...the 250 is a little more refined. I prefer the mm-150's for some reason, not sure why. my only beef is that the finish is pretty thick on those things..I have multiple of them because I gig out a few times a week and if I have one apart I need one that is ready to go...plus I just like collecting banjo's! Hope that helps...

Never get between a Woman and her Banjo!

Chammer - Posted - 11/10/2009:  09:35:48

Jamie: I've got a Gold Tone WL too, and also didn't like the high gloss finish; it always looked too brand new. I took some superfine steel wool, rubbed off the gloss and to me, it looks 100 percent better.

Andy

Paul Roberts - Posted - 11/10/2009:  13:02:11

Is the finish the same on both?

{: Pardon my ignorance. As a drop-ship dealer in the middle of the wilderness I want to learn more about these. I saw a WL-250, a few years ago, but didn't get a chance to spend any real time with it... or have a chance to do any tweaking. So, I'd appreciate any comparison between these two models, as well general impressions about either :}

Paul

http://www.banjocrazy.com/ Gold Tone Banjos - Lowest Prices

http://www.youtube.com/user/strumstering Paul's YouTube Channel

CoE15NJV - Posted - 11/10/2009:  15:12:44

Paul, I can only speak about the WL-250. I love it! It is eminently "tweakable"... I've changed the Fiberskin head it came with to a Gold Tone GTS skin head, changed the original "Straightline" tailpiece to a No-Knot, and changed the strings from steel to nylon fishing line... and the banjo sounds great and has kept its "character".


Steven

Paul Roberts - Posted - 11/10/2009:  15:20:33

That's a massive amount of tweaking you've done on the WL-250. I'd love to hear it.

With that many variables I suppose it may be difficult to isolate out what changing to the no-knot tailpiece did for you, but I'm curious to know if you can tell me. On the BC-350+ I have, I changed from a no-knot to a straightline - backwards from where you went. And the fishing line really gives you a good sound?

Paul

http://www.banjocrazy.com/ Gold Tone Banjos - Lowest Prices

http://www.youtube.com/user/strumstering Paul's YouTube Channel

Tamarack - Posted - 11/10/2009:  18:04:53

I have played both the MM-150 and WL-250, but the heads and setup were much different such that I couldn't make a meaningful comparison.

I own a MM-150 that came from an eBay seller in serious need of tweaking. Cleaned threads on the bracket hooks, re-tensioned the Fiberskyn head, replaced the clunky tailpiece with an imitation Waverly, new bridge and strings and it sounds like I think it should. I am also a sucker for natural maple finishes.

I like the comparison with a Telecaster and a Les Paul. One is more refined than the other but they are both full of music.

CoE15NJV - Posted - 11/10/2009:  18:23:44

I never used the No-Knot tailpiece with steel strings...which is what I used with the Straightline. I changed the head, tailpiece, armrest (to a Vega style), and strings at the same time.
I think the fishing line strings are great for the sound I want. I chose the GTS head because it was somewhat thicker than others and I like that sound too.
Not everyone would like the sound I get now, but that's what's great about the banjo! If I get tired of this sound, I can do some tweaking and get a whole different sound.
The fishing line strings cut down the volume somewhat, but since I mainly use the banjo for accompanying my singing, this is what I want.
Maybe someday I'll be able to post some sound, but I'm not able to right now.
Hope this all helps.

Steven

jamie_t123 - Posted - 11/10/2009:  18:27:33

Hi Paul....thick polyurathane on both..but it looks thicker on the clear maple 150

Never get between a Woman and her Banjo!

Paul Roberts - Posted - 11/10/2009:  20:22:16

The idea of setting up an MM or a WL with skin head and nylon sounds appealing.

Paul

http://www.banjocrazy.com/ Gold Tone Banjos - Lowest Prices

http://www.youtube.com/user/strumstering Paul's YouTube Channel

John Herrington - Posted - 11/11/2009:  12:38:26

Paul, I've never owned the 150. It appears to be a nice banjo. I can say the WL 250 is truly a laydie, great to look upon, not too heavy, clear as crystal in her pronouncements, forgiving of my ham handed touch, responsive beyond my greatest dreams, and full of beautiful music in her soul. I am truly satisfied in belonging to her. I read the others tell of their high dollar wonders, and I'm sure what they say is true, but I don't know. I had the pleasure of playing three high dollar banjos made by Deering this past week, splendid instruments, indeed, but upon reflection not actually better in looks, touch, or voice than this splendid Laydie that is mine...and over four times as much in price, new.

Paul, I can strum or pick her strings and there is a wonderful blend of subtle sound and the shrill call of a trumpet...depending upon my mood. In other words, she can sooth your troubled soul, or she can call your heart to battle!

I've altered a lot of old banjos trying to make them ring or sing, but I can't bring myself to change the Laydie at all. I believe I'll close this rambling tribute and go spend some time with her...the WL 250 Gold Tone.

Old John, on the Big Horn River

Sultans of Claw - Posted - 11/11/2009:  13:55:57

I'm with John, I really find my WL-250 inspiring to play.

Lee Callicutt

Paul Roberts - Posted - 11/11/2009:  15:06:32

John says,
"I can strum or pick her strings and there is a wonderful blend of subtle sound and the shrill call of a trumpet...depending upon my mood. In other words, she can sooth your troubled soul, or she can call your heart to battle!"

John, I can't imagine a more poetic rhapsody to a 5-string. Who is luckier, the Banjo or You?
God bless you ~ you ol' banjo-totin' preacher!

Paul

http://www.banjocrazy.com/ Gold Tone Banjos - Lowest Prices

http://www.youtube.com/user/strumstering Paul's YouTube Channel

John Herrington - Posted - 11/11/2009:  15:51:47

Every now and then "the muse" comes upon me, Paul...Thanks for the compliment. It's just how I feel.


Old John, on the Big Horn River

Paul Roberts - Posted - 11/11/2009:  16:01:16

You may get a request from Gold Tone wanting to use that.

Paul

http://www.banjocrazy.com/ Gold Tone Banjos - Lowest Prices

http://www.youtube.com/user/strumstering Paul's YouTube Channel

CoE15NJV - Posted - 11/11/2009:  18:02:34

quote:

---

Originally posted by Paul Roberts

The idea of setting up an MM or a WL with skin head and nylon sounds appealing.

Paul

http://www.banjocrazy.com/ Gold Tone Banjos - Lowest Prices

http://www.youtube.com/user/strumstering Paul's YouTube Channel

---

Paul Roberts - Posted - 11/11/2009:  18:26:14

Well the thing is I've gotten so used to nylon strings on the cello banjos, that metal just doesn't really make it for me anymore - unless it's extremely mellow. Of course the nylon strings on the cello banjo are metal-wound nylon, but the tone it dictated by that nylon core. It has an extremely pleasing effect on the nervous system.

I have a Carlin BC-350 with a skin head. What kind of nylon strings do you think would go good on it?

Paul

http://www.banjocrazy.com/ Gold Tone Banjos - Lowest Prices

http://www.youtube.com/user/strumstering Paul's YouTube Channel

CoE15NJV - Posted - 11/11/2009:  18:57:25

I like the nylon fishing line in the following "weights":
1st and 5th strings...20lb test
2nd...30lb test
3rd...40lb test
4th...50lb test
None of these are wound strings. I've never had the pleasure of playing or hearing the BC-350, but I'll bet that nylon strings will sound great on it! That's one of my serious contenders for a possible future banjo. If I get one, skin head and nylon fishing line will be in the works very quickly!

Steven

Paul Roberts - Posted - 11/11/2009:  20:12:13

It seems like fishing line would be inferior in quality to commercially manufactured music strings. No?

Paul

http://www.banjocrazy.com/ Gold Tone Banjos - Lowest Prices

http://www.youtube.com/user/strumstering Paul's YouTube Channel

Pine Cone - Posted - 11/11/2009:  21:36:51

quote:

---

Originally posted by Paul Roberts

It seems like fishing line would be inferior in quality to commercially manufactured music strings. No?

Paul

---

robmac07 - Posted - 11/11/2009:  23:26:22

Hi Paul
The nylon 5th string on my home made mountain style banjo was accidentally cut. Replaced it with a similar gauge piece of fishing line. As good or better than the original and stays in tune. Fishing line has come a long way.

Rob McCarthy

John Herrington - Posted - 11/12/2009:  07:07:19

Use the quote if you wish. Perhaps it would contribute to more sales for GT.


Old John, on the Big Horn River

Paul Roberts - Posted - 11/12/2009:  12:45:19

Thanks, Steven. I'm going to learn how to fish with this banjo, yet.

Thanks, John. Expect to see your picture and that quote on billboard across the US, soon.

Paul

http://www.banjocrazy.com/ Gold Tone Banjos - Lowest Prices

http://www.youtube.com/user/strumstering Paul's YouTube Channel

jamie_t123 - Posted - 11/13/2009:  11:01:51

Look for flourocarbon fishing line....the Ukulele folks swear by it...!

Never get between a Woman and her Banjo!

Paul Roberts - Posted - 11/14/2009:  01:20:16

Thanks Jamie,
Does anyone know what gauge nylon line would get up to a high mandolin "E" on a banjo-uke tuned in 5th's, like a mandolin?

Paul

http://www.banjocrazy.com/ Gold Tone Banjos - Lowest Prices

http://www.youtube.com/user/strumstering Paul's YouTube Channel

plunknplinkntwang - Posted - 11/27/2009:  15:13:35

I used Chris Sands nylons on a WL and they were great feeling and to my ear subdued some of the ghost echo, but not enough to destroy the wonderful hollowness of the tone ring
I have a BC 350 now as the wider neck spacing is important to me, but auraly WL was more pleasant. The 350 has great bass & mid tone, the 12" pot is a real belly basher with the sound waves, but the higher pitch isn't as cutting. Sort of sparkily rather than sparkling, however it's still a good banjo. If only Gold tone did a BC version with a WL or silver spun tone ring - then it would be a fantastic banjo

plunknplinkntwang - Posted - 11/27/2009:  15:21:04

For string gauge calculation try this http://www.cs.helsinki.fi/u/wikla/m...wwscalc.html

Big Doug Nez - Posted - 11/29/2009:  11:01:43

This post has got me thinking that I might want to try nylon strings. Before I buy 4 reels of fishing line can anyone recommend some good string? I have a WL-250 and I think my family might appreciate it if it was a little more mellow. LOL