rvrose - Posted - 08/29/2022:  21:29:31

I did a little comparison test between A Stelling Golden Cross and a Prewar Gibson TB3 converted to flathead with full Sullivan ring. Recorded on a cell phone.

Forgive the playing quality.

 I will post the videos in a couple days.

Banjo 1:

banjohangout.org/myhangout/med...archived=

Banjo 2:

banjohangout.org/myhangout/med...archived=

TreyDBanjoKS - Posted - 08/29/2022:  22:02:37

I'm glad you didn't label which is which, it makes it an unbiased comparison. It's hard to get a good feel for the real sound with cell phone recordings but I greatly prefer the tone of banjo #2. Fuller sounding and less harsh high end than banjo #1 while still having plenty of brightness.

-TD

Edited by - TreyDBanjoKS on 08/29/2022 22:03:32

Wayne2001 - Posted - 08/29/2022:  22:14:36

The second one has my vote also.

woodchips - Posted - 08/30/2022:  02:59:45

I also see that the second banjo has not just better tone but more clarity. There is a distinct difference in favor of #2. I too own a prewar pot conversion that does the same for tone as compared to a more modern one I have.

phb - Posted - 08/30/2022:  03:47:06

#1 is too tinny in this recording, #2 sounds better. But I don't find any of the two convincing judging from the recordings (assuming they were representative of the instruments). The recording setup probably makes them both sound much worse than they really do. I bet they are both fine banjos.

heavy5 - Posted - 08/30/2022:  04:46:56

There is no test reqd to know a Stelling does not have the depth of the Mastertone design .

SimonSlick - Posted - 08/30/2022:  05:15:46

The Stelling sounds better to me.

RKen - Posted - 08/30/2022:  06:26:43

My aged faulty ears are not to be trusted with musical acoustics. Having said that I believe the First banjo needs a heavier frosted head and a Tim Purcell bridge...

Texasbanjo - Posted - 08/30/2022:  06:48:39

I like #2 sound best. Sounds more like my Stelling.

Will be interesting to see which banjo was which and see whether I'm right or wrong.

OM45GE - Posted - 08/30/2022:  07:46:29

I prefer banjo #2. To my ears it has a fuller more musical tone.

1xsculler - Posted - 08/30/2022:  12:41:38

If Earl was playing my Epiphone MB250 it would compete well.

kwl - Posted - 08/30/2022:  15:05:03

Number 2 also for the reasons others have already mentioned.

banjoman56 - Posted - 08/30/2022:  17:42:31

I like the sound of no. 2 the best also.

rvrose - Posted - 08/31/2022:  14:51:46

Can't get much by your sharp ears!

Here are the banjos:

Banjo 1 -youtu.be/wQ_4KZ5ghXE

Banjo 2 -youtu.be/m5i7aO4V9Lc

BTW - I did order a new bridge for the Gibson from Tim. Thanks for the advice!

Rick

SimonSlick - Posted - 08/31/2022:  16:13:13

Another empirical confirmation that Stellings are superior to Gibsons for depth and richness of tone.

jan dupree - Posted - 08/31/2022:  18:29:04

I would'nt put money down on either one based on a cell phone recording. I would have to hear a proffesional sound recording before I bought it sight unseen.

wrench13 - Posted - 09/01/2022:  05:20:01

Re Stellings, I just played one for the first time on Tues at a local jam session. Man was that thing LOUD! I had to almost shout over the sound of it to comment to the owner. Really nice sound to it, especially when compared to a 1930's completely original ( museum quality) Mastertone I heard on Sunday. Me, I liked the Stelling better, richer tone, not as bright and tinkley as the Gibson.

rvrose - Posted - 10/15/2022:  13:13:10

Ok here is an update. Most agreed the Stelling sounded much better on that test and I agree.  I did change the bridge to a Tim Puchcell. That helped some but not enough. I had thought I had checked the head tension after I bought it this spring- but evidently not!  It was in the mid 80's which I find way to loose for bluegrass. I brought it up to 90-92 and whalla! It now sounds like a Gibson!  I recorded another sample after the test if your still interested. This was banjo 1 in the original bake off. I'm very happy with it now.

banjohangout.org/myhangout/med...archived=

Edited by - rvrose on 10/15/2022 13:14:35

OldNavyGuy - Posted - 10/15/2022:  13:19:25

Which proves (again) that the setup for a specific banjo makes all the difference.