DVD-quality lessons (including tabs/sheet music) available for immediate viewing on any device.
Take your playing to the next level with the help of a local or online banjo teacher.
Weekly newsletter includes free lessons, favorite member content, banjo news and more.
Premier Sponsors
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!
7234 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: Elkins Acoustic Instruments (517) 545-8179
Year Purchased: 2005
Price Paid: $1,395.00
historic exchange rates / currency converter
This banjo has the "sound" that I like in a bluegrass banjo. Lots of "POP", great tone up and down the neck, just incredibly crisp.
Sound Rating: 10
Gene Elkins does a custom set up on these banjos. The action is set up exactly how Earl does it. Gene puts on his own bridge, shapes the neck to the pot, and fits the tone ring to the rim and adds D tuners and Scrugg strings. The banjo cost a little more than other Gold Star's on the market, because of the customizing and set up, and I can't empahsize enough on how IMPORTANT that is, to get that sound I was lookin for.
Setup Rating: 10
The banjo is just simply pretty but not gaudy. Finish on the mohagony is flawless. The cast flange finish is a little rough but barely noticable
Appearance Rating: 9
Because of the custom hardware it will last longer than the Ever Ready Bunny or me. This banjo is just "rock solid".
Reliability Rating: 10
I did not deal with Gold Star and because Gene Elkins has personally gone over every inch of this banjo, I don't ever anticipate having to deal with Gold Star. I am not sure what the warranty is from Gold Star.
Customer Service: 10
The tuners and Gene Elkins custom bridge standout on this banjo. There are no weak or cheap parts that need to be upgraded.
Components Rating: 9
I took my time in buying this banjo; I played a number of banjos mostly in the $2,500+ range and up. I've been playing for over 3 years now and I wanted a particular sound and I've found it in this banjo. I thought 3 other banjos that I tried over the past few days sounded a little bit better than what I've got and that was a Prucha and a Belltone (custom built by Gene Elkins) and the Crafters Of Tennessee. For my level of playing; this is by far the best banjo for the money, giving me that particular sound I was looking for. I would recomend this banjo the way Gene Elkins set this up to anyone.
Overall Rating: 10