Three Banjo Comparison - Gibson, Stelling, Gold Tone

Just a short three banjo comparison between the higher and lower end of the banjo cost spectrum to see how much banjo money can buy these days. (Correction to the Video: The Granada is a 1995, not a 2005. Senior moment.)

[@peterreno4203]

All 3 are very good. Subjective. I like the Stelling. Goldtone amazing for the price.

[@ShaunPanzer]

I liked the sound of that Goldtone . They are all good looking but the Twanger #1 !

[@leonreihana3322]

Thanks for sharing the banjos. Always good to hear other sounds. Definitely not a Goldtone fan. Geoff Stelling is a craftsman and his idea how he came up with his tonering is brilliant. As for Gibson I've seen some shockers after Greg Rich left that building. Nice playing. Banjo comparisons are always value. Player comparisons would be very interesting because a banjoncan sound very different in different hands.

[@cattleprods911]

Great video, love the Gold Tone…seems the best

[@DA-xh3tw]

Stelling then Gibson then gold tone with all of them sounding good.

[@robertlowrie1136]

Thanks for this! It'd be interesting to do a blind test, with a poll for folks to rank. Don't reveal the manufacturers until the poll is closed.

[@BlueBanjoGrass]

Stelling has it. Really responsive and great tone!!

[@Banjo63]

Really enjoy the banjo demos and comparisons you do. This one was very interesting and sounded great as always! My favorites tonally: Granada Stelling Gold Tone

[@Lonewolf78100]

I have a Tyler mountain banjo I bought around 2006 and it still has an amazing sound and they were still being made in USA back then…I don’t think they make them anymore and I think they were later made in Korea but I could be wrong

[@alanforrest9027]

Thanks for the comparison video, Joe. One thing I've noticed about all your videos over the years is how much the banjos sound alike. It sounds to my ear that you like a fairly tight setup and it results in a particular tonal palate that seems to be consistent with all your banjos. Just my $.02. I personally wouldn't pay the money for a Granada based on the difference in sound as shown in the videos.

[@banjoez]

Thanks Alan! Yes, most of my banjos end up being setup similarly thus they probably sound similar in a recording. Head around an A, light strings, SS or AZTEC Bridges around 2.1 -2.3 grams. To me the biggest challenge is finding the right bridge. After the proper head tension I feel the right bridge makes all the difference.

[@jojoowens9309]

Great video, thank you for the demonstrations, I have always loved Gibson instruments, but as i decided to start playing again after 30 years, I studied up on these newer models and went with the Gold Tone 0B-250+. I have to say, i was extremely surprised how well built they are along with a surprisingly great sound. Now i just have to break out the WD-40 on these rusty fingers and get to picking 😂. Thank you again, have a great day.

[@gmc9987]

I'm just a beginner in terms of playing the banjo, but having recently sought out a new one my experience has been that if your budget is under $800 Goldtone just cannot be beat in terms of value. Sound is subjective of course, but the features and options they pack into the lower and mid range models are very impressive for the price, and the customer service is personal and involved in getting you what you want if you live in a country they don't normally ship to (like, say, Germany).

[@pauldrummond225]

I like the Gibson but I'm an old hand with them, the Stelling has so much power and bass but for tone they all sound good. I guess it depends on the set up, super tight all the way to get those ringing notes in the higher region but tough to call this really as they all have their own merits.

[@saito125]

The Stelling Whitestar was the best banjo I ever had (couldn't afford a pricier Stelling).

[@brentnearhood8874]

Thanks! Joe 🎶🪕🪕🪕

[@livioguardi2074]

With all respect I never undestood the statement:" Good for the money!" First of all there isn't such a rule that says that a professional bluegrass banjo should have a " die cast bronze tone ring". That may be the corrent brand, but I remind everybody that Earl Scruggs first banjo didn't have a tone ring at all. Didn't it sound bad? I don't think so. Then we have John Hartford playing wonderful music on a wooden tone ring banjo. I understand Ode banjos had an all alluminium pot ( tone ring and flange all together) and it delivered a wonderful sound ( for much less money). This also very important, in my opinion, at least. Spending less money you may get an istrument with a DIFFERENT SOUND, which doesn't necessarily means worst or better, just different! Then it's totally up to your individual preference which one to choose.

[@jeffbeliew6568]

Goldtone sounds best to my ears.

[@rockofagesusa7942]

Gold Tone 🤙

[@johncostelloe743]

Gold Tone for me it had a sweet sound

[@mickeydye1840]

The gold tone hands down sounds the best in my opinion not only do they have the mastertone backing now they also have the best customer service in the banjo world they have put together some of the best prewar banjos on the planet at a affordable price and they only sound better as they age keep up the work gold tone

[@jojoowens9309]

I just received my Gold Tone OB-250+ . I am a Gibson fan, but for the money, Gold Tone is extremely hard to beat. Sound is awesome. The guys in Florida took their time with me to figure out which banjo was right for me. I haven't played in 30 yrs, so I've decided to get back into it. Wud had loved a Gibson, but I am extremely happy with my Gold Tone.

[@rarebasses]

lol What IS “Mastertone backing”? Also, “They… put together pre war banjos?” No wonder you picked the Gold Tone… 😂

[@F_later]

My opinion: not a very huge sound differences. But it's the creators credits and honour of (gibson& stelling) to create new and not just copy.

[@JuanOrtiz-wj4rc]

Love the Stelling but they are all beautiful

[@dannymuhammad8321]

If the gold tone is too bright and too harsh.. Bright is good but not in that frequency.. The Gibson has the most rounded tone.. Especially up the neck.. The steling just wins hands down For the best all around Tone

[@banjoez]

The Stelling is definitely the powerhouse of the bunch. It’s difficult to tell that from a video but in person you sure can.

[@jeffmccorkle7013]

subject to individual tastes, of course, the Gibson only slightly better than the Twanger which is slightly better than the Stelling. All three excellent with good picking, good comparison.

[@alanspector7257]

Sigh! Everyone's hearing is different.... Some folks don't hear high frequencies as much so what sounds dull to them might sound okay to someone else and especially if you're listening to a phone or a laptop speaker. Set up is also important as a variable. In general though....... Stellings seems to have a chunkier sound with clearer note separation. Whether that is what you want for a particular song is of course up to you!

[@user-xq2zl5nq8c]

I've played a Stelling for 20 years but the Gibson edges out the other two on this comparison.

[@rolandcarson8836]

All sound great but for the money " the Gold tone sounds great note only in sound but value ' if Russ carson played one " they have to be outstanding.......

[@MasonCroneMusic]

Russ Carson plays a Gold Star, not Gold Tone.

[@rolandcarson8836]

@@MasonCroneMusic my mistake thank you for your correction ' still a great instrument.

[@brentnearhood8874]

PS I like your bird prints!

[@muttandjeff5213]

It’s a toss up between the Gibson and Stelling. Twanger sounds good in 3rd.

[@plucknpick6414]

I noticed he didn't put a Deering in there....

[@banjoez]

I would have if I had one available. Owned several Golden Eras and Wreaths and all good banjos.

[@BeingRomans829ed]

The Gibson and Stelling hit my ear as having more growl and volume. I would think they would project better and would be the best choices for on-stage performing. The Gold Tone seems a bit subdued compared to the others and would perhaps be easier on the ears for playing at home. That's just me.

[@kerrihefley3686]

The good tone doesn't have the bite that the other ones did

[@banjoez]

Due to mahogany vs maple the GT will naturally have different tonal characteristics but in person it's amazingly powerful for what it is. Never played another import like it.

[@kerrihefley3686]

You mean a mahogany fretboard?

[@banjoez]

No the neck and resonator.

[@kerrihefley3686]

OK brother I see thank

[@rarebasses]

The STELLING all the way.

[@stellingbanjodude]

Stelling banjo imo.

[@tedtedsen269]

GT made in china gibson usa

[@banjoez]

The phone or computer your typing this on is probably also made in China. Last I checked Gold Tone had 21 USA based Employees in Titusville FL selling, supporting and servicing banjos not to mention all the retail/dealer jobs supported. Gibson has ZERO USA Employees selling, supporting or servicing banjos and ZERO banjo retail/dealers.

[@krupadrum]

Gibson all the way.