TOMCAT - Posted - 12/19/2014:  14:26:57

Does anyone know who has it now? I presume one of his sons but I've never heard anyone say

Jason Skinner - Posted - 12/19/2014:  14:33:31

Hey Tom.  I have one of them.  Read the story under the pic in my gallery: banjohangout.org/myhangout/pho...umid=5167

TOMCAT - Posted - 12/19/2014:  16:16:47

Cool! Thanks Jason!

klgera - Posted - 12/19/2014:  16:39:58

Until recently the other one of Don's Golden Cross banjos was owned by a fellow in Minnesota. I don't recall his name. It is now in playable condition, obviously was refinished and made like new.

Jason Skinner - Posted - 12/19/2014:  17:31:44

quote:

---

Originally posted by klgera

Until recently the other one of Don's Golden Cross banjos was owned by a fellow in Minnesota. I don't recall his name. It is now in playable condition, obviously was refinished and made like new.

---

Yes his name is Ron Tonga.  It previously belonged to an incredible Reno style picker Chris Walters.  Click on the link and the pics to read the story about all of Don's Stellings. banjohangout.org/myhangout/pho...umid=5167

Jason Skinner - Posted - 12/19/2014:  17:47:12

Here's Don playing his original Golden Cross (gold plated) and Don Wayne playing the one I own now.

Jason Skinner - Posted - 12/19/2014:  17:50:57

Here's Don Reno playing his old Nellie copy made by CE Ward and Don Wayne playing Golden Cross #327.

Jason Skinner - Posted - 12/19/2014:  18:29:44

Here are some pics of the Golden Cross that has the original neck and resonator.

Jason Skinner - Posted - 12/19/2014:  18:41:19

Here is a great pic of the Golden Cross after Stelling replaced the neck and resonator.

TOMCAT - Posted - 12/20/2014:  00:18:00

Awesome pics and vids Jason.

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 12/20/2014:  00:41:22

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jason Skinner

Here are some pics of the Golden Cross that has the original neck and resonator.

---

Jason,

I am a little confused. Do you mean to say that  the resonator pictured here - the  one with the relief carved cross, is the one that had the faulty finish and was replaced?

The carving makes this cross so beautiful. It is too bad they did not do them all that way.

ken

TOMCAT - Posted - 12/20/2014:  01:26:51

They are beautiful banjos for sure! Mine is maple. Undeniably the most powerful banjo I ever had my hands on..

TOMCAT - Posted - 12/20/2014:  02:46:05

Here's a another Question. The Golden Cross is the first one to have the patented Stelling peghead. What shape did they use before this? I never seen another style on any Stelling

earlsway - Posted - 12/20/2014:  03:56:59

Jason, are there any sites where you can hear Chris Walters playing Reno style, what part of the country is he from....is he still out there playing?

Jason Skinner - Posted - 12/20/2014:  09:32:51

quote:

---

Originally posted by From Greylock to Bean Blossom

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jason Skinner

Here are some pics of the Golden Cross that has the original neck and resonator.

---

Jason,

I am a little confused. Do you mean to say that  the resonator pictured here - the  one with the relief carved cross, is the one that had the faulty finish and was replaced?

The carving makes this cross so beautiful. It is too bad they did not do them all that way.

ken

---

Mine is basically a standard Golden Cross (nickle plated, no engraving on the hardware, regular cross on the reso).  The first Golden Cross given to Don had engraved gold hardware and a carved cross on the back.  The neck and resonator were replaced due to faulty finish.  The picture above showing the carved cross is the banjo that now has the original resonator and neck.  The banjo in the album cover pic is the banjo with the new neck and resonator that was given back to Don.  I believe it also has a carved cross on the new reso.  That banjo has the original pot.  If you look at the two different pics, you can see the difference in the reso binding and neck binding.  The original reso and neck has the same binding as my Golden Cross.  In case you missed the story on my Golden Cross pic gallery here it is:

"This is Don Reno's OTHER Stelling Golden Cross #327. According Geoff Stelling this banjo was built for Don Reno to replace his gold plated Golden Cross #91-3 while it was being used in a lawsuit case against Sherwin-Williams. Apparently #91-3 had a problem with the finish that made it unplayable. Golden Cross #91-3 was later returned to Don with a new neck and resonator. Stelling kept the original neck and resonator and later refinished it and put it on a vintage gold plated and engraved pot. He later sold the banjo to a collector from North Dakota. Golden Cross #91-3 with the original pot and replacement neck and resonator belongs to a fellow in Minnesota. So #327 is actually the only completely original Stelling made for Don Reno. Built Feb. 26, 1977 and delivered to Don Reno on Feb. 27, 1977. I was lucky enough to acquire it from a good friend over the Thanksgiving holiday. I can never thank him enough for me letting have such a treasure that belonged to my hero."

Edited by - Jason Skinner on 12/20/2014 09:35:10

bluegrassboy - Posted - 12/20/2014:  09:42:54

quote:

---

Originally posted by earlsway

Jason, are there any sites where you can hear Chris Walters playing Reno style, what part of the country is he from....is he still out there playing?

---

chris was from the kingsport area, he and my dad used to talk on the phone some. mom has some vhs tapes chris sent dad with him and jc matlock playing. lost contact with him after dad passed away, (4 years back) but heard he had some health problems. he sounded closer to don than anyone ive heard, he was also a close friend of the reno family, staying with don and betty from time to time.

Jason Skinner - Posted - 12/20/2014:  09:49:06

quote:

---

Originally posted by earlsway

Jason, are there any sites where you can hear Chris Walters playing Reno style, what part of the country is he from....is he still out there playing?

---

Chris lives in Kingsport TN.  He is in his late 50's or early 60's now and doesn't play much at all to my knowledge.  He never did much with his talent because of his personal "issues".  Anyone that knows Chris, knows what I am talking about.  Unfortunately, he is his own worst enemy.  He doesn't even own a banjo anymore from what I've heard.  It's a shame because he was the best I have ever seen at playing exactly like Don.