They sound relatively "close", but for some reason I find the Grandee model to have slightly better note separation and overall clarity, while the Standard model seems a bit "clang-ier".

Probably just my ears, getting older.
But that Grandee model sounds VERY good.
(I'd like to hear it compared to, say, a Huber Granada copy...)

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Originally posted by J.Albert

They sound relatively "close", but for some reason I find the Grandee model to have slightly better note separation and overall clarity, while the Standard model seems a bit "clang-ier".

Probably just my ears, getting older.
But that Grandee model sounds VERY good.
(I'd like to hear it compared to, say, a Huber Granada copy...)

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I have a couple buddies who have a Huber Granada and the other a 1991 Rich era Gibson Granada and honestly, the GT's keep up or surpass them in just about every way. You won't hear a lot of old timers (like me) admit how good these lowly "imports" are but it's true. I call 'em as I see (hear) 'em. I have no affiliation with Gold Tone.

I'd recommend to anyone looking to acquire one to  get them directly out of Titusville with a good setup and inspection. Ive gotten a couple with build issues that were simply drop shipped from the factory to dealers who were kinda clueless. A few sell B-Stock and kinda forget to mention it. Beware of ones advertised way below normal market pricing. 

I'm going Grandee, I'm so eager to play one of these, but like you say Joe, it's good to be leery about the lower priced choices out there. How long have you had these two Gold Tone banjos?

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Originally posted by earlsgranada

I'm going Grandee, I'm so eager to play one of these, but like you say Joe, it's good to be leery about the lower priced choices out there. How long have you had these two Gold Tone banjos?

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I bought them both earlier this year. I have a couple older Twangers also. The Grandee was built in 2026 and the Standard in 2025. 

Don't these banjos have exactly the same tone ring, rim, and neck wood, except for the gold plating on the Grandee? Unless I'm missing something it seems like any variation in tone here would just be a result of plating, setup, and individual manufacturing variations.

After spending some time with multiple Grandee's and Standards and being able to do similar setups on them based on my own tastes I can broadly say that the Grandee's had a sweeter, more bell like sustain up and down the neck. The Standards in general had a thicker, drier tone with a bit more volume overall. I think perhaps the Grandee clamshell tailpiece vs. the Presto has more to do with the difference than anything else. I haven't made the effort to  switch and see as I'm quite content the way they are.

banjoez were there ever any issues that needed a luthier, or has your experience been that its just run of the mill banjo setup that they lacked? I'm just curious how bad the bad was on the ones you've had that drop shipped or came from 3rd party B stock.

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Originally posted by localhost

banjoez were there ever any issues that needed a luthier, or has your experience been that its just run of the mill banjo setup that they lacked? I'm just curious how bad the bad was on the ones you've had that drop shipped or came from 3rd party B stock.

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I've been able to correct most issues myself on the ones that needed attention. Mostly has been tone ring/rim fitment issues. I prefer a slip fit and some have arrived too tight and some too loose. It's the one thing GT can't seem to find consistency with and it's important. Check out how this gorgeous Grandee Flying Eagle arrived recently. Someone removed most of the sidewall except for a thin strip at the top! No way was this acceptable and it sounded sub par because of it. This is a troubling sign with their QC when something like this happens on one of their new flagship models. The rest of the banjo was perfect. I sadly had to return it. I don't get it.
 

Wow yeah, that's a significant issue. Such an odd thing for someone to do to a rim.

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Originally posted by localhost

Wow yeah, that's a significant issue. Such an odd thing for someone to do to a rim.

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Gold Tone did offer to correct it but I opted to return it to the dealer for a refund.