This 5 year old Gold Tone MM 150 was made just months before GT started buying banjos from a Chinese factory where the workmanship was cruder. All the wood parts of this banjo are Korean made, while the hardware appears identical to the Chinese banjos of the equivalent model.

I HAVE MADE CHANGES to the banjo since taking the pictures last week It is pictured with the original Gold Tone Straight Line tailpiece that was stock when I bought it. However I had always played the instrument with a Stu-Mac Kershner style tailpiece. I intended to keep my good tailpiece and sell the banjo with the Gold Tone tailpiece, but I simply could not get very good sound out of it with that tailpiece. It was obvious the Kershner was enough better to really matter. I put it back on, made the necessary adjustments, and the banjo came back to life. It also came very close to once again becoming "NOT FOR SALE". I finally decided I need the money more than the banjo. It sounds great but I'm actually having a neck made specifically for my somewhat crippled hands. I had also changed the original bridge for a Grover Compensated, and both bridges will be included with the instrument.

For an idea of the banjo's sound go to my Banjo Hangout Homepage (oldwoodchuckb) where you will find several recordings. Except for "Deadheads & Suckers" all the tunes were recorded tonight 3/30/11. Three
tunes were done with the back "un-stuffed" for those who like the full sound of the banjo. I then recorded two tunes again with a sock loosely stuffed between the head and the upper co-ordinator rod. This is my favourite modification to just about Any banjo. Un-stuffed I hear too much of one of the upper harmonics and find it annoying. If we all agreed on sound than we would probably all want one "just like Earl's". Right? Of course "The Sock" will be included with the banjo!

The MM 150 has been professionally set up (by me) I worked in instrument repairs off and on for several decades. It really has about as good a sound as you're likely to find for anywhere near the price. New banjos including the stock MM 150 (Korean OR Chinese) are simply not competitive in quality. The Tone ring is the standard Gold Tone Whyte Ladye repro which does not include a Vega style bracket band. Save for finish and inlays the MM 150 is identical to Gold Tone's Whyte Ladye model - which does not have a bracket band either. The finish on the MM 150 is clear and clean, with no stickiness This banjo was made before they started sending them through the Gloopity Gloop Booth. The neck will not stick to your hand on a hot day.

There are some small scratches to the finish and some of the chrome bracket hooks are pitted. I am allergic to chrome cleaners and most other metal restoration products so I cannot do any serious clean up That is up to the buyer. I never had a case for this banjo but will pack it carefully.

If you are interested in having a short scale second neck that is fitted to this pot look at my "CC Mini Neck" in the Classifieds under "Banjo Parts". This neck was re-shaped for this 11 inch MM 150 pot by Gold Tone in Florida. It is approximately 20" scale and can be used either as an octave banjo (as I did until my hands got too crippled) or can be set up for a child. I will sell you the pair for $489 plus 35.00 shipping.