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Originally posted by Gwen Taunton

Given that Greg Rich is now affiliated with Gold Tone, at what banjo manufacture date or serial numbers can we safely say we have a "Greg Rich" Mastertone by Gold Tone?

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I think that mostly depends on Gold Tone's marketing department. Greg seems to be bringing it with new designs, and he's always been a master acoustical engineer so I'm sure he's been tweaking the instruments themselves. So far I haven't seen a great deal of publicity about his presence there. To me that's a sign that Gold Tone is letting their banjos (and now, mandolins) speak for themselves.

quote:

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Originally posted by Gwen Taunton

Given that Greg Rich is now affiliated with Gold Tone, at what banjo manufacture date or serial numbers can we safely say we have a "Greg Rich" Mastertone by Gold Tone?

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What he has said repeatedly is that he does not have the same role and responsibility at GoldTone that he had at Gibson, R&K, or Music Link.  He gives credit to the staff for product development and says he is consulting on designs.  (He talks about this on his FB page where he previews stuff in the pipeline).  So I don't know that there will be a "Rich Era" GoldTone like there was at Gibson.  The way I read it is that he is working on designs, but not as responsible for sourcing components, etc. as he was at his other stops.  But I might be wrong.  I was once before.  

Maybe my hearing is not as bad as I thought.

I had them listed in the correct order (by me) as the Style 6, the Rich era Gibson, the Gold Tone, then whatever the adjusted sound bite was. I had the Style 6 and the Greg Rich Gibson as pretty close.

Maybe Gibson should start making banjos again. Of course, they might have to buy the Mastertone label back from Gold Tone. I’ve had the OGs, and I have the Gold Tone. I’ve also had a Washburn (first one) that had an all aluminum pot. Eek. Once I played a Gibson, I knew. I’ve also played a Deering. Very different from the rest. But, I think the classic Grenada tone ring (the JLS) on a birch block rim, and on a maple banjo, is a winning combination. Side by side with 3-ply rims, it’s just louder and more defined. 4th string bass also seems lower, to me. It growls.