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Gold Star banjo G-11 mahogany arch top banjo- Restored!
Estimated price for orientation: 1 549 $
Category: Banjos
Class:
Description Brand: Gold Star Dexterity: Right Handed Model: G-11 Items Included: Case Banjo Type: Resonator 5 string Era: 1970s-1980s Number of Strings: 5
If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element This is an early G-11 arch-top Gold Star banjoin mahogany, and now in great playing- and great looking condition! The neck has been refinished and fully set up For great sound, appearance and playability as well as some parts replacements.The first edition of the Gold Star banjos were made in Japan from 1976-1986, and were well known for authentic pre-war tone, excellent grade woods and a full weight mastertone style maple rim and bronze tone ring. A great percentage of these banjos were with the archtop tone ring and rim. I've been playing for decades, and in comparing the tone of these banjos to an actual prewar archtop Gibson Mastertone, I am not able to tell them apart. They are that good. Gold Star banjos were the very first Mastertone type banjos made outside of the Gibson factory and were well accepted professional grade instruments. This banjo weighs slightly over 11 pounds. If you have got a flat top banjo, consider adding the unique sound of an archtop to your collection. Its tone is distinctly different, it has a powerful quality that really cuts through especially when playing outdoors!I have restored many Gold Star banjos and over the years I've lost count exactly how many, I have two more awaiting my attention right now!I featured this banjo "on the workbench" on the Beyond Guitars' Facebook page a little while ago, and I'll re-post the progress photos here in case you didn't see them. This banjo has an interesting history.It was made in Japan in the Tokai shop as were all of the G-11 banjos at that time. They were imported into the US by Saga Musical Instruments of San Francisco, and some were sold in Japan, distributed by the manufacturer. I purchased this banjo directly from an owner/seller in Japan. Since this banjo was not sold in the United States it bears the Gold Star motif on the headstock and it does not have the Saga Musical Instruments sticker inside the rim, but a Tokai sticker, and that's unusual to find here in the US. There were banjos sold in the US under the Tokai brand, with the name Tokai inlaid into the headstock so don't confuse this with that type. This is a Gold Star banjo, simply sold in Japan.I knew this would be a candidate for a restoration, as fortunately the neck was not damaged, it had a great shape and straighness, but needed some maintenance, the finish was cracking, the binding was coming loose and the frets were worn as well as a broken nut. After the work here, it is a great banjo again! It is a real winner in tone with a very loud, crisp pop to it, a classic archtop sound and very easy playability with a really nice neck. I have included a photo to demonstrate the straightness of the neck, the nut is parallel to the last fret without twist. Be sure to listen to this banjo in the player at the top of this ad.The resonator was in perfect condition and I have done nothing to it. Below is a list of the neck and pot assembly restoration features:Neck: Removed all the frets and did a clean up and sanding of the fretboard for perfect flatness and smooth finish. I Re-glued the neck binding that was loosening but not broken-- Replaced the broken bone nut with a brand new custom fit Zero Glide nut-- Replaced all the frets-- Replaced the fifth string tuner-- Refinished the neck with 10 coats of nitrocellulose lacquer, giving it a slight "burst" with darker amber coats near the heel and the headstock. This gives it a close color tone to match both the darker maple rim and the lighter areas around the resonator back. This burst coloration is a little different than what I've done on these before and it looks outstanding!-- Fretboard sanding- flat block sanding progressive 400- 1500 grits for a flawless surface-- Fret installation and leveling. This is an essential step after fretboard sanding and fret replacement. Since leveling one fret always affects the frets near it I went through the leveling process three times. The shape of the neck has just a little positive relief (bow forward) which is ideal, especially with a single action truss rod.-- Full installation set up, coordinator rods and truss rod adjustments after the pot work was finished. The fretboard has never had spikes nor screw holes for a sliding capo. If you'd like spikes I will install them for you at no charge. The banjo pot restoration: Disassemble, clean all parts both wooden and metal.-- Replaced the presto tailpiece-- Replaced the head with a new Remo top frosted (bluegrass standard) medium crown banjo head.-- Adjusted the head to ring at "A" which I have found to be ideal for an arch top head.-- Replaced all of the tension hooks with new nickel plated hooks and nuts-- Replaced the worn armrest with a brass (not steel) nickel plated armrest for a perfect gleaming look.-- The rim, flange and the tone ring had excellent nickel plating and needed nothing more than cleaning and polishing. By any standard this banjo should have a full life expectancy of a brand new banjo. If you would like a strap we have a selection of banjo straps that will work perfectly with it. I would only recommend the cradle strap type for this banjo. It is a full weight professional instrument that weighs just over 11 pounds.This banjo was featured on our Facebook page "on the bench". More pictures of it can be seen on the Beyond Guitars website as well. The tension on the new head and the nitro finish on the neck have had 3 weeks to cure and settle in, and the head has been re-tensioned. I have included pictures into this ad including while some of the work was in progress.Final assembly, head adjustment, bridge placement, coordinator rod adjustment, truss rod adjustment, etc. It came to me from Japan with a quality, older case that is in very good condition and it will go with the banjo. This case has every latch, hinge and plastic foot it originally had. It has a hard plastic handle with metal brackets on the ends and crushed velvet plush lining. It also has its own original case latch key!Included with this interesting Japanese-sold Gold Star are its original paperwork all printed in Japanese- What appears to be a postage paid warranty card, A Tokai 5-string banjo owner's manual, and a basic banjo instruction booklet in perfect condition.In spite of its uniqueness, I have not added any extra consideration for that to increase the price. The price strictly reflects its condition and capabilities for an excellent playing G-11 Gold Star banjo. This banjo is backed by our usual 14-day Customer satisfaction guarantee for your risk free evaluation, and free shipping in 48 states!All offers will be considered If you have a specific banjo budget, don't hesitate to make an offer, I'll respectfully consider any offer. This is one of many vintage Gold Star banjos I have offered, and one of the smaller group of banjos I've restored over the last nine years. However if you're looking for a brand new arch top banjo, check out E-bay store for the Gold Tone OB-250AT for another great pro level banjo, factory new. It will be great to see this banjo find a player's home once again. My first professional level banjo was a G-11 much like this one I had purchased in 1976, and I've sought them out and restored only those that require it, since 2008 but they are well worth the effort and expense. Be sure to listen to this banjo played at the top of this description!
Description
| Brand: | Gold Star | Dexterity: | Right Handed |
| Model: | G-11 | Items Included: | Case |
| Banjo Type: | Resonator 5 string | Era: | 1970s-1980s |
| Number of Strings: | 5 |
If you cannot see the audio controls, your browser does not support the audio element
This is an early G-11 arch-top Gold Star banjoin mahogany, and now in great playing- and great looking condition! The neck has been refinished and fully set up For great sound, appearance and playability as well as some parts replacements.The first edition of the Gold Star banjos were made in Japan from 1976-1986, and were well known for authentic pre-war tone, excellent grade woods and a full weight mastertone style maple rim and bronze tone ring. A great percentage of these banjos were with the archtop tone ring and rim. I've been playing for decades, and in comparing the tone of these banjos to an actual prewar archtop Gibson Mastertone, I am not able to tell them apart. They are that good. Gold Star banjos were the very first Mastertone type banjos made outside of the Gibson factory and were well accepted professional grade instruments. This banjo weighs slightly over 11 pounds. If you have got a flat top banjo, consider adding the unique sound of an archtop to your collection. Its tone is distinctly different, it has a powerful quality that really cuts through especially when playing outdoors!I have restored many Gold Star banjos and over the years I've lost count exactly how many, I have two more awaiting my attention right now!I featured this banjo "on the workbench" on the Beyond Guitars' Facebook page a little while ago, and I'll re-post the progress photos here in case you didn't see them. This banjo has an interesting history.It was made in Japan in the Tokai shop as were all of the G-11 banjos at that time. They were imported into the US by Saga Musical Instruments of San Francisco, and some were sold in Japan, distributed by the manufacturer. I purchased this banjo directly from an owner/seller in Japan. Since this banjo was not sold in the United States it bears the Gold Star motif on the headstock and it does not have the Saga Musical Instruments sticker inside the rim, but a Tokai sticker, and that's unusual to find here in the US. There were banjos sold in the US under the Tokai brand, with the name Tokai inlaid into the headstock so don't confuse this with that type. This is a Gold Star banjo, simply sold in Japan.I knew this would be a candidate for a restoration, as fortunately the neck was not damaged, it had a great shape and straighness, but needed some maintenance, the finish was cracking, the binding was coming loose and the frets were worn as well as a broken nut. After the work here, it is a great banjo again! It is a real winner in tone with a very loud, crisp pop to it, a classic archtop sound and very easy playability with a really nice neck. I have included a photo to demonstrate the straightness of the neck, the nut is parallel to the last fret without twist. Be sure to listen to this banjo in the player at the top of this ad.The resonator was in perfect condition and I have done nothing to it. Below is a list of the neck and pot assembly restoration features:Neck: Removed all the frets and did a clean up and sanding of the fretboard for perfect flatness and smooth finish. I Re-glued the neck binding that was loosening but not broken-- Replaced the broken bone nut with a brand new custom fit Zero Glide nut-- Replaced all the frets-- Replaced the fifth string tuner-- Refinished the neck with 10 coats of nitrocellulose lacquer, giving it a slight "burst" with darker amber coats near the heel and the headstock. This gives it a close color tone to match both the darker maple rim and the lighter areas around the resonator back. This burst coloration is a little different than what I've done on these before and it looks outstanding!-- Fretboard sanding- flat block sanding progressive 400- 1500 grits for a flawless surface-- Fret installation and leveling. This is an essential step after fretboard sanding and fret replacement. Since leveling one fret always affects the frets near it I went through the leveling process three times. The shape of the neck has just a little positive relief (bow forward) which is ideal, especially with a single action truss rod.-- Full installation set up, coordinator rods and truss rod adjustments after the pot work was finished. The fretboard has never had spikes nor screw holes for a sliding capo. If you'd like spikes I will install them for you at no charge. The banjo pot restoration: Disassemble, clean all parts both wooden and metal.-- Replaced the presto tailpiece-- Replaced the head with a new Remo top frosted (bluegrass standard) medium crown banjo head.-- Adjusted the head to ring at "A" which I have found to be ideal for an arch top head.-- Replaced all of the tension hooks with new nickel plated hooks and nuts-- Replaced the worn armrest with a brass (not steel) nickel plated armrest for a perfect gleaming look.-- The rim, flange and the tone ring had excellent nickel plating and needed nothing more than cleaning and polishing. By any standard this banjo should have a full life expectancy of a brand new banjo. If you would like a strap we have a selection of banjo straps that will work perfectly with it. I would only recommend the cradle strap type for this banjo. It is a full weight professional instrument that weighs just over 11 pounds.This banjo was featured on our Facebook page "on the bench". More pictures of it can be seen on the Beyond Guitars website as well. The tension on the new head and the nitro finish on the neck have had 3 weeks to cure and settle in, and the head has been re-tensioned. I have included pictures into this ad including while some of the work was in progress.Final assembly, head adjustment, bridge placement, coordinator rod adjustment, truss rod adjustment, etc. It came to me from Japan with a quality, older case that is in very good condition and it will go with the banjo. This case has every latch, hinge and plastic foot it originally had. It has a hard plastic handle with metal brackets on the ends and crushed velvet plush lining. It also has its own original case latch key!Included with this interesting Japanese-sold Gold Star are its original paperwork all printed in Japanese- What appears to be a postage paid warranty card, A Tokai 5-string banjo owner's manual, and a basic banjo instruction booklet in perfect condition.In spite of its uniqueness, I have not added any extra consideration for that to increase the price. The price strictly reflects its condition and capabilities for an excellent playing G-11 Gold Star banjo. This banjo is backed by our usual 14-day Customer satisfaction guarantee for your risk free evaluation, and free shipping in 48 states!
All offers will be considered If you have a specific banjo budget, don't hesitate to make an offer, I'll respectfully consider any offer. This is one of many vintage Gold Star banjos I have offered, and one of the smaller group of banjos I've restored over the last nine years. However if you're looking for a brand new arch top banjo, check out E-bay store for the Gold Tone OB-250AT for another great pro level banjo, factory new. It will be great to see this banjo find a player's home once again. My first professional level banjo was a G-11 much like this one I had purchased in 1976, and I've sought them out and restored only those that require it, since 2008 but they are well worth the effort and expense. Be sure to listen to this banjo played at the top of this description!