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Dean T - Posted - 01/19/2026: 15:23:11
What’s the difference between buying a banjo direct from Gold Tone, or from someone like Ross at Banjoteacher.com? Advantages, disadvantages? Does BT actually do the free inspection/set up/spikes they advertise on their web site, or do they drop ship from GT, who also advertise set up and spike install? Prices are the basically the same everywhere, so who would you order from?
Bill Rogers - Posted - 01/19/2026: 15:36:19
My first choice would be a storefront dealer from whom i could buy it at the shop without dealing with shipping. Since that seems unavailable to you, I’d look at distance (closer probably better), shipping charges and availability. You want to buy from someone who has it in stock and can ship immediately. Absent significant differences, I’d probably order from Gold Tone to avoid going through a middleman.
Brian Murphy - Posted - 01/19/2026: 16:59:18
Hard to beat the warehouse specials and frequent free shipping deals from GoldTone. But if a dealer had what I want, I would always support my local store. If we don't, we won't have them.
Edited by - Brian Murphy on 01/19/2026 17:00:09
Bob Smakula - Posted - 01/19/2026: 18:17:13
quote:
Originally posted by Brian Murphy
Hard to beat the warehouse specials and frequent free shipping deals from GoldTone.
Just a couple of the reasons why it did not make economic sense for me to stay a Gold Tone dealer.
Bob Smakula
smakulafrettedinstruments.com
Brian Murphy - Posted - 01/19/2026: 18:27:03
quote:
Originally posted by Bob Smakula
quote:
Originally posted by Brian Murphy
Hard to beat the warehouse specials and frequent free shipping deals from GoldTone.
Just a couple of the reasons why it did not make economic sense for me to stay a Gold Tone dealer.
Bob Smakula
smakulafrettedinstruments.com
I totally get that. I would not be happy if I were a dealer, invested money in inventory, and then I had to compete with the mfr. You end up becoming a showroom and petting zoo for someone else.
Dean T - Posted - 01/19/2026: 18:42:17
quote:
Originally posted by GeoffHohwaldBanjoWarehouse
Can’t speak for Banjo Teacher but we definitely set up and install spikes (if requested) on all of our Gold Tone stuff. We’re also offering 20% off all our Gold Tone stuff tomorrow through next Monday.
banjowarehouse.com/product/gol...njo-case/
How did you know what I was looking at? 
. Is there a code for the discount, or does it start automatically tomorrow? And I didn't find where to add the option for adding spikes. The discount is making this hard not to pull the trigger
mikehalloran - Posted - 01/19/2026: 19:02:49
quote:
Originally posted by Bob Smakula
quote:
Originally posted by Brian Murphy
Hard to beat the warehouse specials and frequent free shipping deals from GoldTone.
Just a couple of the reasons why it did not make economic sense for me to stay a Gold Tone dealer.
Bob Smakula
smakulafrettedinstruments.com
Amen
GeoffHohwaldBanjoWarehouse - Posted - 01/19/2026: 19:27:20
quote:
Originally posted by Dean T
quote:
Originally posted by GeoffHohwaldBanjoWarehouse
Can’t speak for Banjo Teacher but we definitely set up and install spikes (if requested) on all of our Gold Tone stuff. We’re also offering 20% off all our Gold Tone stuff tomorrow through next Monday.
banjowarehouse.com/product/gol...njo-case/
How did you know what I was looking at? . Is there a code for the discount, or does it start automatically tomorrow? And I didn't find where to add the option for adding spikes. The discount is making this hard not to pull the trigger
I just made it live, actually. Here is the link: banjowarehouse.com/product/gol...njo-case/
You can just include a note in the checkout with the frets you want spikes installed on.
BobbyE - Posted - 01/20/2026: 04:46:57
I Purchased an RKR-36 from Ross Nickerson at Banjoteacher.com a couple of years back and the service could not have been better. He does not drop ship from GT but does the work himself, or his associates. When you order there are options, such as 5th string spike fret positions, that you choose as to personal preference. You can call and talk to him personally as well, and he encourages folks to do so if you have concerns or questions. Wouldn't hesitate to do business with him again.
Bobby
Pix5String - Posted - 01/20/2026: 05:35:36
I bought a GT Missing Link from Ross a couple years ago. I know him from a couple workshops he did in the Houston area. I think he had it in stock but he may have had it drop shipped. As far as I remember it was the same price no matter where I bought it from, GT or a dealer. I’m very happy with the banjo and I’m sure Ross made a little on the sale, which is a very good thing. These banjos are quality instruments at very affordable prices, but even if it was more expensive I would have bought it from Ross. In the banjo community the providers of instruments, instruction, performance, etal, deserve our support. I also never pass a tip jar at a live music venue without expressing my gratitude for a musicians work.
Willie
banjoez - Posted - 01/20/2026: 08:09:01
I've done it both ways and found both GT and its dealers are very accommodating to buyers. I did notice that some items I've ordered from dealers are simply drop shipped from GT in Florida. Just look for the best deal.
Dean T - Posted - 01/20/2026: 11:04:18
quote:
Originally posted by GeoffHohwaldBanjoWarehouse
...I just made it live, actually. Here is the link: banjowarehouse.com/product/gol...njo-case/
You can just include a note in the checkout with the frets you want spikes installed on.
Thanks for a good thread
I ended up buying it from Chris at Banjowarehouse. The $300 savings was too good to pass up. I just hope Ohio doesn't get too much snow before they try to ship it! Pretty cool when the retailer is a member here, and replies on the thread. The sale was a nice surprise. Thanks Chris!
banjo bill-e - Posted - 01/20/2026: 11:53:58
Retail no longer makes sense, which is a loss for many people, both buyers and sellers. Musical instrument stores were always something special for me, and like with record stores, you also connected with the local musical community.
desert rose - Posted - 01/26/2026: 21:25:35
if I were a dealer and the maker started selling direct, they would have to do a hard sell to me to GUARANTEE IN WRITING that their policys protected my well being, short of that Id walk away and not look back. The age of online had delt death to the brick and mortar store and the whole industry is worse for it, huge makers drop shipping instruments made in asia, that need total and complete resetup and more, direct to internet stores who turn arround and send the unopened box to the customer. As store policy, places like Sweetwater etc. No excuse
Brian Murphy - Posted - 01/27/2026: 05:14:37
quote:
Originally posted by desert rose
if I were a dealer and the maker started selling direct, they would have to do a hard sell to me to GUARANTEE IN WRITING that their policys protected my well being, short of that Id walk away and not look back. The age of online had delt death to the brick and mortar store and the whole industry is worse for it, huge makers drop shipping instruments made in asia, that need total and complete resetup and more, direct to internet stores who turn arround and send the unopened box to the customer. As store policy, places like Sweetwater etc. No excuse
Sweetwater does inspect and set up each instrument. You even get the name and a way to contact the person who did the work. (If they have more than one of the instrument you like, you get to pick it out based on Hi-Res photos, which is cool for guitars). If you can't buy local, Sweetwater is an excellent source. And I would buy from Sweetwater before Guitar Center. Yes, GC is brick and mortar, but they're just hanging what they get and their techs have not impressed me.
desert rose - Posted - 01/27/2026: 05:25:36
No they say that but customers recieve boxes sealed in Asia, they offer a comlete set up service and CHARGE for it, which is robbery, their dealer contract states thats their job, at no extra cost, I am very wel versed in all this dealing with the electric guitar world daily
desert rose - Posted - 01/27/2026: 05:26:51
Guitar Center isnt brick and mortr, they are thieves ( g )
pinenut - Posted - 01/27/2026: 10:54:41
quote:
Originally posted by BobbyE
I Purchased an RKR-36 from Ross Nickerson at Banjoteacher.com a couple of years back and the service could not have been better. He does not drop ship from GT but does the work himself, or his associates. When you order there are options, such as 5th string spike fret positions, that you choose as to personal preference. You can call and talk to him personally as well, and he encourages folks to do so if you have concerns or questions. Wouldn't hesitate to do business with him again.
Bobby
+1, Ross Nickerson is solid.
Old Hickory - Posted - 01/27/2026: 11:28:48
From my very limited knowledge of retail, it's my understanding that some sales or promotions you see (especially in grocery stores) are run by the manufacturer or distributor, so you'll see the same % off or 2-for-1 offer at different stores.
With that thinking: If I were a Gold Tone stocking retailer and saw Gold Tone running one of its now frequent 20% off sitewide sales, I'd want or expect some type of incentive -- preferably cash back -- for any Gold Tone instrument I bought at full wholesale that I sold during the time of that sale so I could match the offer for my walk-in customer.
My neighborhood music shop -- House of Musical Traditions -- has gone into Gold Tone in a big way. Maybe because they currently have only a few used or consignment five-string banjos. So they have in stock some Cripple Creeks plus a Grandee and one of the nickel ones, either an OB-3 Twanger or Standard. I forget. Only reason to buy there and pay the usual listed Gold Tone price plus sales tax is that you can walk home with the banjo same day. But if the store can't match 20% off -- $500 on a $2500 instrument -- why buy the same thing there at full price just for an extra few days of ownership?
Have to say the two in the store were not set up great. Action and playability were fine. But it sounded to me that the heads were not sufficiently tight. The banjos were sort of hollow sounding. I've played the $1000 lower cost OB-150 and it sounded great. So I expect these higher priced ones can sound good, too.
This store also stocks Goodtimes in various configurations.
glosardo - Posted - 02/06/2026: 14:30:00
Another vote for Ross Nickerson / Banjo Teacher.
