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Jan 17, 2025 - 2:09:41 PM
12 posts since 5/31/2020

Hey ya'll, I've been a lurker on this site for a while but I finally have something worth sharing, as well as a few questions to ask. I'm very proud to say that I recently acquired my first professional grade banjo, a 1986 Goldstar GF-85. I'm currently in the process of setting it up to achieve it's full potential. It currently has a Five Star head installed, and I am not a fan. I am shooting for a sound reminiscent of Ron Stewart or Russ Carson, and I think the head is too thick to produce that tone. From what I can tell, the consensus is that Remo heads are thinner, but there's so many different variations depending on the date and place of manufacture that I am having trouble choosing the best head to buy. I read in an interview with Ron Stewart that some Remo heads that are too thick for his liking, but he doesn't elaborate any further. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Ron Stewart Interview:
banjonews.com/2013-02/ron_stew...view.html






 

Jan 18, 2025 - 8:16:29 AM
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46 posts since 6/30/2020

Congrats! In terms of new frosted top Remo heads there are basically 2 options. The standard American version is on the thinner side but still thick enough for good tone. This head would be a noticeable difference from the 5 star.

The other version is from Taiwan and has a crimped bead (instead of glued). This head is thicker, not just in the frosting but in the mylar. Many people like these but for me they dampen the tone a bit too much.

I usually buy from Smakula fretted instruments because they come unlabeled.

Jan 18, 2025 - 12:20:23 PM
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Cloy_36

USA

12 posts since 5/31/2020

Thanks man. I considered looking at getting an old stock or possibly even used head, but I decided the risk was to great to buy one without physically examining it. I went ahead and ordered one from Smakula. This banjo's already a cannon and I think this new head will open it up even more.

Jan 18, 2025 - 4:17:19 PM

856 posts since 11/9/2003

Personally I would prefer the 5 Star head if it was in my banjo. I currently have a Stelling head made by Remo and it's the closest I've found to the old 5Star sound. I'm south of you near Pinehurst. We have a bluegrass jam circle M City in Sanford NC every Monday evening at 6:30-9:00 pm . Your are welcome to come jam with us.

Edited by - trackers on 01/18/2025 16:17:57

Jan 18, 2025 - 8:00:01 PM

Cloy_36

USA

12 posts since 5/31/2020

I think I might have been there once, but I'll definitely try to make it down there if I can. Thanks for the invite.

Jan 19, 2025 - 8:22:32 AM
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3007 posts since 9/18/2010

Vintage Goldstar?! 1986?

Excuse me, but that means I've made vintage banjos!

If you measure head thickness you will find them (other than specialty heads) to be .007" thick. Differences in frosting can make a difference in sound, but that is not the thickness of the mylar itself. You will probably have to experiment and see what head you like the sound of.

Jan 19, 2025 - 12:14:13 PM
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80525 posts since 5/9/2007

I've owned 3 Goldies.I've never left a 5 Star head on for very long and always end up with a standard Remo for the tone I prefer.
The 5 Star was thicker and sounded its best at a very tight tension without much variance.
I like a G# head tension for a full spectrum of tones.
The 5 Star seems to have only one tension and tone.

Jan 20, 2025 - 1:03:41 PM
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bill t

USA

381 posts since 12/14/2012

There was a thread in September 2024 titled "1981 Gold Star JD Crowe variations".
Toshi Tsuchida posted to that thread about the setup that Chris Warner did to
Gold Star banjos belonging to Tom Adams and Russ Carson. Mr Tsuchida said that
the Chris Warner setup improved the sound of the banjos over the original setup.
Mr. Tsuschida said that he would post on BHO what Chris Warner did with the banjo
setup, but if he ever posted it, I missed it. I'm still curious as to what was done!

Jan 25, 2025 - 9:26:47 AM

80525 posts since 5/9/2007

I set up my Goldies same as my '86 Stew Mac Vintage kit and my present tb-2 conversion.
G# Remo head (M) flathead/C+ head note archtop
Presto or Cox tailpiece level with the head
11-22bw strings
Pearl nut

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