All Banjo Reviews (By Submitter)

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The banjo reviews database is here to help educate people before they purchase an instrument. Of course, this is not meant to be a substitute for playing the instrument yourself!

7210 reviews in the archive.

Gold Tone: Mastertone Bluegrass Heart Béla Fleck Signature

Submitted by seanfeder on 8/10/2024

Where Purchased: Banjoteacher.com

Year Purchased: 2024
Price Paid: 3699 ($US)

Sound

Clear and clean everywhere including up to high frets.
Rich warm tones at middle and lower notes
Speaks and rings with a light touch/low volume.
Speaks and rings with a harder touch/high volume.

Sound Rating: 10

Setup

I was impressed and pleased that the banjo arrived thoroughly and accurately set up, with the right action tolerances, etc.
I believe Gold Tone set it up at their Florida shop.

Setup Rating: 10

Appearance

The inlay work is very good, and I find it pretty. It is probably not considered "great" (under a magnifying glass by inlay experts), because it is probably done by machines in China, which I am thankful for because of affordability. Yay for technology in manufacturing, and for international trade.

There were no flaws in the finish.

I love the flat rubbed mahogany finish on neck and resonator.

Overall, I like how it looks. But looks to me are of much lesser importance compared to sound and playability.

Appearance Rating: 10

Reliability

All hardware is totally top quality.

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

banjo teacher.com (Ross Nickerson) was great to work with, and answered the phone, and kept me updated. It took a couple of weeks to receive the banjo, probably due to assembling my specific choices (tuning peg/tail piece).
There have been no issues requiring repair or warranty.

Customer Service: 10

Components

Great stuff: zero-glide nut, wide neck, quality frets, radius neck, tall bridge, wood-like armrest, high ratio tuning pegs.

Components Rating: 10

Overall Comments

I have been playing a custom made Robin Smith radius neck banjo for about 12 years. I love that thing and substituted a hard wood tone ring some years ago. It is a great banjo, thanks to the craftsmanship and care of the late Robin Smith.

This banjo is another concept. The whole up-sizing of the architecture from the original Gibson set up is revolutionary in a good way. I am talking about the slightly wider string spacing, the much taller bridge, and the more guitar-like neck dimensions. It comes together to produce a responsive, expansive sound, with plenty of both clarity and warmth.

Thank you Bela and thank you Gold Tone. This banjo is inspiring me to play a lot more and to pay more attention to my playing. The notes ring clear and true all over the neck. It feels as good as it sounds.

Overall Rating: 10