Gold Tone Little Gem Banjo Ukulele - Is it Better than "Amazon Brands"?

Today we review the Little Gem Banjo Ukulele (banjolele) and compare it against the Aklot and Kmise brand Banjo Ukuleles commonly found on Amazon. Are you better to buy a 'brand name' Banjo Uke from Gold Tone or save money and buy a more budget friendly instrument from Amazon?
Come and join us at The Four String Strummers Facebook Group!
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0:00 Intro
0:12 Features and Benefits
5:47 Sound Samples
8:47 Gold Tone Pros and Cons
11:26 Why go with Gold Tone?
13:53 Further discussion

[@LorianMeyer]

hello northern neighbor - I learned about the banjolele at Mile of Music 11 in my hometown of Appleton, WI, just yesterday! I’ve been drawn to the banjo since childhood and after 47 trips around the sun, I decided to learn to play-going to start with the banjolele! Discovered our local music store (Heid) has a Little Gem in my favorite color 🩷 and thanks to this fantastic review, I’m going down there tomorrow to buy me one! Can’t wait to start playing and learning how to from you, Kelly 🙏🏼

[@fourstringstrummer]

@@LorianMeyer that is SOOO great! You are going to love it Lorian!! Those Little Gems are a really solid choice! Let me know how you make out!! Kelly

[@wandam3295]

Great review Kelly! Cripple creek is one of my favourites to play on the banjo uke also. I’ve seen those Little Gems at our local retailers, but never played one. They look pretty cool! That’s quite the collection you’ve got, a few more than me but with my UAS affiliation I may just catch up😂

[@fourstringstrummer]

Thanks Wanda! I'm really enjoying it. It really has a great sound! Give one a try next time you go in to the store - you'll probably like it a lot. I think I'm up to about 15 ukes now...yeesh. I'm lovin' it though!

[@craftlover9702]

LOVE Gold tone!! Crisp clear sound! Great review!! Loving your instrument wall! Geeze I wish you lived in the states, would enjoy hanging out with you playing some tunes!

[@fourstringstrummer]

Hey CraftLover! Thanks so much!! I think we REALLY need to set up a live jam session online until we can all get together at some point! I would love that. Come and hang out on the new Facebook group - you'd be very welcome!! Kelly

[@craftlover9702]

@@fourstringstrummer Just sent a request to join!!

[@fourstringstrummer]

@@craftlover9702 perfect! We'll see you there!

[@crossafrica]

After much banjolele research and trying out several, I settled on the Little Gem. I am so glad I did. I love this little banjolele and play it almost everyday. It is a real joy.

[@fourstringstrummer]

Hey Paula! I agree - I really enjoy mine as well! Banjo uke has opened up a whole bunch of extra tunes for me. Love it. We have a new Facebook group called The Four String Strummers with a really nice group of people - you'd be more than welcome if you'd like to join! Kelly

[@BlessYourHeart254]

I love Gold Tone too-I have a concert and a baritone model of theirs.

[@fourstringstrummer]

Hey CJ - I'd love to try a baritone...and a tenor too!!

[@Mandobird1]

Nice review. I've had a clear one for a few years, and it's a real cannon.

[@fourstringstrummer]

Hey Mandobird! Thanks! Exactly - this little banjo uke has tons of sound! Kelly

[@chirples]

Love having all the Ike’s back!😊

[@fourstringstrummer]

Thanks! Got my new spot all put together over the last week!

[@per-arneolsson4611]

I have the amethyst one and really like it. Great review.

[@fourstringstrummer]

Thanks a lot! The more I play this one the more I like it! Kelly

[@johns4962]

Great video thanks very much i have ordered the exact same instrument today and cant wait to get started with it. I am already the proud owner of around 18 ukuleles but this is my first banjolee. I love the bluegrass style and I am going to follow your videos to learn Thanks again now to find the first of your videos cheers John 👍🎼🎶🎵🎶🎵🪕

[@fourstringstrummer]

Hey John! Congrats on the new banjo uke! You're going to love it. Check out the Banjo uke PLAYLIST on my channel - there are lots of videos there to get you rolling!! Kelly

[@johns4962]

@@fourstringstrummer Thank you I'm on it now 👍 jeez I luv bluegrass music it's so good I'm slowly learning the brush stroke thumb the strum once I have that I will catch the string on my way back up 👍 great stuff Thanks

[@fourstringstrummer]

@@johns4962 ENJOY!!

[@lturner744]

That new one sounds so clear and loud. And I like the cool material and color. I don’t have a banjolele yet. Feel like I need to get better with the regular ukulele before branching out. But I’m guessing there is one in my future. Thanks for excellent info.

[@fourstringstrummer]

Hey Lucy! It's funny - I find the banjo uke really opened up a whole new range of songs as well as playing techniques that I probably wouldn't have/use otherwise. They really are a lot of fun and have helped me develop my playing quite a bit. I think you would really enjoy one (now I'm being the enabler!!)

[@lturner744]

@@fourstringstrummer You’re right, of course. I have enjoyed the tutorials you’ve done with the banjo because it is such a fun sound, and a better match for some songs. BTW, your ukulele collection is impressive. Very nice display.

[@fourstringstrummer]

Thanks Lucy! I've really been enjoying setting up the new "studio/wall of fame"!

[@alansharp62]

I love it I'm going to get one love the blue!

[@fourstringstrummer]

You'll really enjoy it!! Be sure to check out the banjo uke playlist on the channel!

[@alansharp62]

@@fourstringstrummer I certainly will 😀👍

[@bonniedavidson936]

Fun to see all your ukulele s. I only have 3 !! I better get going. But I love the ohanas I have right now I used to play a little banjo. Had a really nice parlor open back banjo. When my teacher recommended ukulele I liked it much better. The banjo felt huge to me after that and I sold it to my teacher to buy my Ohana ukulele. I have tried a few banjoeles. But I just can’t get excited about them. Which is funny since I used to like the banjo. But that might change. I like the blue color on this one !

[@fourstringstrummer]

Hey Bonnie - ya I've been going a bit crazy lately - it may be time to thin the herd soon but I'm lovin' it! I'm really enjoying the old time stuff on the banjo uke! Kelly

[@bonniedavidson936]

@@fourstringstrummer I love the old time music also. You play it really well on the banjo ukulele ! It’s fun to get new ukes !! You have made some great choices Have fun. You only live once 🙂

[@fourstringstrummer]

​@@bonniedavidson936thanks so much Bonnie! I heard life described as "a melting ice cube" the other day. I'd never heard that before but the thought of it kind of puts a sense of urgency into doing things we love while we can!

[@bonniedavidson936]

@@fourstringstrummer Well I know as I get older it is passing by faster and faster every year !

[@fourstringstrummer]

That's so true - remember when we were kids and summer vacation would come? It felt like an eternity! Now the summer whizzes past!! I guess when we were 10 years old one year was 10% of our life and felt like more because we couldn't remember the first couple of years. Now a year is a "much smaller" percentage. We just need to fill our time being happy!

[@daviddehass6877]

Thanks for a great video, thumbs up. Do know if a standard fiberskyn type head would work on these? If so, how do think it would change the sound? Thanks again.

[@fourstringstrummer]

Hi David - i would think as long as it was the same size it would work. That would be interesting to see - not really sure how it would change the sound. Cool idea tho! Thanks - glad you enjoyed it! Kelly

[@angelinamendivil9516]

I recently found the amethyst color at my local Guitar Center. They had it on clearance. I ended up paying $80 plus tax at the end. It turned out it was missing the bridge, but that was an easy fix. I'm not so keen on the color, but very fun instrument to play with!

[@fourstringstrummer]

WOW! Great deal Angelina! You will love it - they are so much fun!! Feel free to check out our new Facebook chat group "The Four String Strummers" - you'd be very welcome!!

[@johns4962]

Hi Kenny I have now received my little gem exactly the same colour as the one you are playing and it's superb it is second hand but in excellent condition I want to replace the strings on it may I ask you what strings you would recommend Thanks John 🎼🎵🎶🎵👍

[@fourstringstrummer]

Hey John! Fantastic!! You are going to really enjoy it! I mostly use Aquila Super Nylgut in mine and have been very happy with them. Have fun!! Kelly

[@VenusNouveau2005]

Are you able to get yours to stay in tune? I can't get through a single song, as of now.

[@fourstringstrummer]

Yep No problem with the tuning. Is yours new, does it have new strings, has it sat unturned for quite a while? Once the strings stretch in it should hold its tune okay.

[@VenusNouveau2005]

@@fourstringstrummer Thanks! It was given to me new a year ago.

[@fourstringstrummer]

Hmmm if you play and tune it regularly the strings should be stretched in...is it all the strings that go out of tune or just one?

[@1963dclark]

Are they tuned the same as a uke...gcea

[@fourstringstrummer]

@@1963dclark yep exactly the same

[@1963dclark]

Thanx