BrianTN - Posted - 02/06/2016:  13:53:05

Hello, my father purchased this banjo a long time ago. I've been playing with it some and wanted to find out some more information. I'm having trouble finding out much about it. Is there a way to determine the model, year made, etc? The only information I can find on it is Gold Star, Presto, and a sticker which I assume is the store it was purchased from on the back. 

klgera - Posted - 02/06/2016:  13:55:53

Did you look for a label inside?   Take off the resonator and check.

KG

revellfa - Posted - 02/06/2016:  15:28:09

on the older Gold Stars I believe that it was the first two numbers of the serial number that indicated the year. Given the flying eagle inlay this one is a GF-100.

BobbyE - Posted - 02/06/2016:  16:18:01

Presto refers to the maker of the tailpiece, or the style of that particular tailpiece.  If it has Presto on it, then it should be an original and not just a Presto style.  

Bobby

BrianTN - Posted - 02/06/2016:  17:11:03

quote:

---

Originally posted by klgera

 

Did you look for a label inside?   Take off the resonator and check.

 

KG

---

I'm brand new to banjos so I don't know how to do that. I'll read into it and try it soon. Thanks.

The Old Timer - Posted - 02/06/2016:  19:20:04

It's a GF 100 FE. "FE" stands for "Flying Eagle" which is the name of the Gibson inlay pattern in the fingerboard. The GF 100 came in 3 different inlay patterns. Still does for that matter.



The decal sticker inside the rim will state whether it was made in Japan (the earliest ones, in the 1980s), or China or Korea (the post 2000 ones).



They are good serviceable banjos of the Gibson "Masterclone" type. The earlier Japanese ones are a bit sought after.

To look inside it, hand-loosen the 4 knurled thumbscrews that go down through the flat circular "flange".   Put them in a dish or something so you don't lose them.   The banjo then lifts right out of the resonator and you can look up inside it and read the gold decal that's stuck to the inside.  To reassemble, gently lay the banjo back in the resonator and carefully get the 4 thumbscrews started into the lugs.  You may have to twist/jiggle the banjo around a bit within the resonator to get the 4 thumbscrews to line up with the lugs.   Don't be frustrated if they don't line up perfectly the first time.  That's why you should start all 4, before tightening any one up all the way.

Edited by - The Old Timer on 02/06/2016 19:23:24

BrianTN - Posted - 02/07/2016:  13:52:00

Thank you. Looks like it was made in 1986. I'm assuming that is a date of manufacture.

RioStat - Posted - 02/07/2016:  19:17:22

quote:

---

Originally posted by BrianTN

 

Thank you. Looks like it was made in 1986. I'm assuming that is a date of manufacture.

---

Yes, 1986. You got a good one there!

I believe '86 was the last year for the "original" Japanese-made line of GoldStars.

Then production ceased, until the GoldStars returned in 2000-2001( I think), as Chinese-made (yet still very good) banjos