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1976 Gold Star G-12 Maple archtop banjo. Hear it!

Estimated price for orientation: 1 359 $

Category: Banjos
Class:











Description
Banjo Type: arch top Items Included: Case
Brand: Gold Star Body Style: arch top
Number of Strings: five Era: 1976
Dexterity: Right Handed Skill Level: any
Model: G-12 Country/Region of Manufacture: Japan


If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element Hear it played here The first year productionof Gold Star banjos was 1976. Their introduction into the American market go a lot of attention, and they were soon to be known as the best made Mastertone type of banjo on the market. Their quality in tone and high production standards became legendary. In the first few years of manufacture many of these banjos were of the arch top style. G-12 maple arch top and G-11 mahogany arch top banjos were quite popular for their projection and tone.This model G-12 arch top combines the projection of the arch top style and the clarity and sustain of maple. The tone is quite different from a standard flat top banjo, and especially different from a mahogany banjo. Be sure to listen to the recording at the top of this ad.Key design features are of the Mastertone type. In fact, they were the very first maker to build a banjo with a flanged maple rim and cast bronze tone ring outside of the Gibson company, and they managed to do so with unbelievable accuracy. In fact, it was noted that the quality surpassed anything else made at that time.This G-12 Gold Star is very well-preserved, not played a lot and kept in its case most of the time. The maple wood’s finish is beautiful, the inlays are all tight, the frets are in great condition, with minimal fret and fretboard wear. It plays well. The rim is made from three-ply wound rock maple, bronze tone ring, two piece flange, fiddle cut headstock with the traditional hearts and flowers inlay pattern. Ebony fretboard and headstock overlay. Maple neck with a band of dark wood banding the center. Adjustable truss rod, adjustable coordinator rods, presto tailpiece, 5/8 bridge, nickel plating and beautiful gloss finish on the wood. This banjo needed a new case and we have included a BRAND NEW Golden Gate C-1530 banjo case. We have gone over this banjo carefully, and it is obviously not a new banjo, at 40+ years of age but it shows well. There is some tarnishing of the nickel plating of course but it is not worn through in any spots we can find and is overall in great condition. We tensioned the head and made a minor action adjustment.We will ship this banjo to you at no cost, in the lower 48 states. AK and HI have an additional shipping charge. There was previously a Shubb 5th string capo installed and this has been removed and the screw holes filled. There are railroad spikes at frets 7 and 9. We can install others in you wish. The action is low and it plays easily.In case you’ve never played an arch top, please note that although the tone ring has a different style, there is absolutely no difference in how they play. Some call this type a “raised head” banjo but in fact the head is not raised. A better description would be to say the edges of the head have been lowered. This is only true for the outer 3/4 inch, but even the tension hoop is at the same level as it is on a flat top banjo. There is no difference in how you play an arch top banjo!This instrument is backed by our 14-day customer satisfaction guarantee policy. You have 14 days to enjoy and review the banjo and if you’re not satisfied with it for any reason you can return it for a refund. Shipping charges excluded.Buy with confidence at Beyond Guitars!