danielburdett - Posted - 04/30/2012:  23:34:04

I remember reading somewhere, probably Paul Hawthorne's website, that a limited number of gold star banjos were made as top tension models. Anyone know about these? Pictures? How many were made? The beautiful '81 JD Crowe model listed for sale here made me think about these top tensions. Any info would be great! Thanks in advance.

desert rose - Posted - 05/01/2012:  23:08:03

Doesnt look like anyone wants to offer anything, so Ill offer what little I know.

From what I know, YES there was a Goldstar top tension banjo. The quantity ranges somewhere around 2 or 3 made as best as I can discover. These were not made as top tensions in Japan, that I know for sure. They were converted to top tension in America.

Scott

Oldtwanger - Posted - 05/02/2012:  05:32:38

quote:

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Originally posted by desert rose



Doesnt look like anyone wants to offer anything, so Ill offer what little I know.

 From what I know, YES there was a Goldstar top tension banjo. The quantity ranges somewhere around 2 or 3 made as best as I can discover. These were not made as top tensions in Japan, that I know for sure. They were converted to top tension in America.

 Scott

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 I may have had one, but can't be sure - here is what I know:



The gentleman from whom I purchased the banjo bought it in 1980 and never changed anything on it. 

It had top tension hardware when he bought it.



At that time it was:



Gold Star GF100W

Serial number 790124



It had the original Gold Star adjustable Presto-style tailpiece, and the armrest was the standard Gold Star one-piece.

It was in a standard Gold Star blue plush-lined case.



During the time I had it, I installed a borrowed TT reproduction armrest by Jim Burlile.

I replaced the tailpiece with an old Presto.



A friend liked the wreath pattern neck better than the H&F on his Gold Star, so we traded.

The H&F neck had been "Gibsonized" by changing the headstock pearl logo.  Didn't matter to me.



The TT band was not the quality of original Gibson, but not bad.  It was a little bulky and displaced the armrest outward a bit.

The bolt heads were larger and it came with a wrench with the name "Pearl" on it.



In that era, there were a couple of people that were doing repro TT bands, I think Roger Siminoff and Jim Faulkner.



I believe that Gold Star (Saga) obtained some of this hardware and modified a few instruments to more or less "test the waters",  to see if there was enough interest to pursue adding a Top Tension instrument to the line.  Apparently there wasn't enough interest and for whatever reason, no more were produced.



I once asked Richard Keldsen if he ever produced any Gold Star Top Tensions. 

He said "not enough!", and quickly changed the subject.



I sold the instrument several years ago.

Was it a real Top Tension Gold Star?  I don't know.



There are a number of photos on my homepage in the photo album "Gold Star Top Tension?"

The photos were taken by Will Fastie seven or eight years ago.









 

Edited by - Oldtwanger on 05/02/2012 05:36:50

stelling58 - Posted - 05/02/2012:  06:33:49

Oldtwanger, you said GoldStar had an adjustable Presto tailpiece...what did that entail?

Oldtwanger - Posted - 05/02/2012:  07:09:14

quote:

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Originally posted by stelling58

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Oldtwanger, you said GoldStar had an adjustable Presto tailpiece...what did that entail?

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As I recall, they were hinged and had a large knurled adjusting screw at the back.  

The hole for the third string was farther back than on a Presto.

 

I didn't care for them - too much mass killed the tone for my tastes.



i.ebayimg.com/t/1985-GOLD-STAR...FgxNjAw/$(KGrHqZ,!i!E9hHWvJp0BPY9Dgbs!w~~60_57.JPG

steve davis - Posted - 05/02/2012:  09:40:41

Here's one on my '79 GF85.

It now has a Cox tailpiece which I prefer.

Edited by - steve davis on 05/02/2012 09:41:04

banjotom2 - Posted - 05/02/2012:  14:46:52

I like the physical appearance of the top tension better than a bunch of messy hooks up there...

But how easy it is to adjust that head would depend on how fast and clean you could get the arm rest off and out of the way...

Tom

Oldtwanger - Posted - 05/02/2012:  15:14:40

quote:

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Originally posted by banjotom2

I like the physical appearance of the top tension better than a bunch of messy hooks up there...

But how easy it is to adjust that head would depend on how fast and clean you could get the arm rest off and out of the way...

Tom

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The Gibson-style Top Tension armrest has a single knurled thumbscrew and a single round post.  It literally removes in a couple of seconds.  Loosen the thumbscrew and lift it off.

Edited by - Oldtwanger on 05/02/2012 15:20:16

lethegoodtimesroll - Posted - 05/03/2012:  22:26:32

Not to stray too far off topic, There was also a Bela Fleck model Gold Star... that never made it into production.

danielburdett - Posted - 05/03/2012:  22:51:28

quote:

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Originally posted by lethegoodtimesroll

Not to stray too far off topic, There was also a Bela Fleck model Gold Star... that never made it into production.

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lethegoodtimesroll - Posted - 05/04/2012:  06:31:58

I believe so, an exact repo of Belas Banjo.Ask Silvio Ferretti

silvioferretti - Posted - 05/04/2012:  07:05:58

Sure, a Bela Fleck model did exist (meaning it was designed), it was basically a GF-100FE with a wider and radiused fingerboard (not with a 1" bridge though). I only saw one of them, as I only saw one 6-string model (added low G string, that is ). Never saw a TT model, but I can't be sure it never existed.