The Gold Star sounds a lot better to me.
Nit-picky point:
The Gold Star GF-100JD is not a copy of J.D. Crowe's "Banger." It's a copy of Saga founder Richard Keldsen's pre-war Gibson that J.D. borrowed to record the first Bluegrass Album Band album, because he didn't want to fly with Banger. J.D. signed labels for the banjo. So he clearly authorized the use of his name.
The Gold Tone OB-3 Twanger -- a very good banjo (and I like Gold Tone's recent work) -- is a copy of Banger based on its known or likely specs but not any direct access to the banjo or involvement of JD that I'm aware of.
I like the Gold Star better. Louder, clearer. Better BONG! on the open 4th string.
The Gold Tone sounded a bit soft in tone, like a flannel cloth was laying over the head maybe.
Gold Star,but sometimes things aren't exactly equal what with age of strings,head tension that little difference in the distance from the last fret to the end of the fretboard.
The Gold Star has just about half as much after the fret.
Many great sounding banjos have very little distance after the 22nd fret.
That Gold Star has it all.
I've owned 4 since the 70s after trying out other banjos and kept going back to them because of their great necks and powerful tone.I think I'm trying to talk myself into getting a 5th.
Edited by - steve davis on 10/16/2026 16:46:36
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