My New Gold Tone BG-250F

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Posted by jbrosser on Saturday, December 29, 2007

I'm 56 now and have played the banjo since I was 17 years old. My first banjo was a Gretsch and cost my father $100. There were five children in my family and I still wonder today how he pulled together so much money in those days for one gift to me. I was so naive at the time that I didn't even know about setting up a banjo. I wondered for years why my strings were so high off the keyboard and how come the notes weren't in tune as you progressed up the neck. I thought I had a "bad" banjo. I've never learned to read music and took only two lessons when first received my Gretsch. I bought the Earl Scruggs book, that I still have to this day, and learned how to read tablature. After college, I married and had four sons. There was never enough money to buy a really nice banjo, so I always settled for a more inexpensive or used instrument. Over the years, I would stop in at shops and longingly look at the better made banjos and would from time to time sit in the shop and pick on a beautiful Gibson or other similarly priced instrument. Always looking, never owning.

Now, I know that some that read this blog are the proud owners of beautiful handcrafted banjos with elegant pearl inlay that perhaps cost thousands of dollars. But, no one is more proud today than I am of my new BG-250F Gold Tone. This is the most well made and expensive banjo that this boy has ever owned. I thank my wfe Beth for ordering it and having it shipped to me for Christmas. Even though it's retail value is less than $1000 dollars, it is priceless to me. I can't get over the sound that comes from this instrument. I play both three finger and clawhammer and am enjoying both styles. I want to thank Gold Tone for making such a fine instrument. I wish my father were still with us so that he could hear what he started on that Christmas day nearly 40 years ago when I opened the case that contained my first five-string banjo. Thanks Dad for opening the door. Each of my four sons plays his own instrument; one a guitar, another a mandolin, another a fiddle and one the banjo. I know that we're all going to have many years of enjoyment to come. I look forward to them seeing and hearing the sweet sound of my new Gold Tone.

jbrosser

3 comments on “My New Gold Tone BG-250F”

DandyRandy Says:
Saturday, December 29, 2007 @11:11:36 AM

What a wonderful story. There is a proverb that says "To the hungry man, even the bitter is sweet." Not that the BG-250 is bitter by any means. It seems that you appreciate what you have which is what we all need to do. I hope my kids will look back one day after I'm gone and say thanks. I thank your dad too. Enjoy that banjo, it's a nice one.