Vintage 1981 Gold Star GF-85....made in Japan
Nice overall condition. Minimal fret wear showing. Minor buckle marks on the back of the resonator, concentrated in one area. Fifth string capo spikes installed, and also a new Remo head. All original otherwise. Has nice, low action. The neck is slim and plays easily.
Will come shipped in the original hard case, with original purchase receipt. (Snuffy Smith bridge pictured is not included, sorry.)
This particular year is regarded by many to be one of, if not the best for the vintage Gold Stars. This banjo is certainly no exception.
From PaulHawthorne.com:
85 - RB 75 style mahogany banjo, S/N 810128 has been seen with same pot as one of the second set of JDC's (S/N 810027), one piece flange. I believe the pots were made at the same time by the same maker. Leaves and bows, nominally like Crowe's/ Keldsen's RB75. Non 1981 GF-85 were probably the regular Gold Star pot, but they have a slightly different tone ring that the GF-100 series. -85 had only leaves and bows inlay. The resonator construction is also different compared to the -100.
FWIW, the first Bluegrass Band album was recorded with Richard Keldsen's RB75, the one that started the whole Gold Star thing, because Crowe had had the neck broken by airline baggage handlers on HIS RB75, and did not want to fly to San Francisco with it where the album was to be recorded. The second and third were recorded with it also because Tony Rice told Crowe to use it because it sounded so good on the first album.
↧