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Woody's GOLD TONE EBM 
ELECTRIC BANJO PAGE

For Father's Day 2007, my wife purchased this Gold Tone EBM-series Electric Banjo for me as a gift from Instrument Alley.

According to Gold Tone and based on the serial number this unit was manufactured in May 2007 (in Korea)

It has esthetically appealing as it borrows from the styling of a traditional F-Style mandolin (peghead and body scrolling) while still having the traditional banjo drumhead displayed on the front.

Although banjos have found their way into just about every form of music currently found in the world, electric banjos seem to be a bit rare.

This banjo has snowflake inlays on the bound rosewood fretboard and body. The hardware has a gold appearance.

There are two pickups... a humbucker under the head and a single coil ("lipstick" style) near the banjo's neck.

While the Gold Tone company is based in Florida, actual new construction is done in China then imported to the United States. They have discontinued their Korean manufacturing effort.

At some point in the future, I might consider replacement of the tuners (I don't feel that they are that great) 
and a more aggressive neck setup.

CLICK ON A PICTURE BELOW TO ENLARGE FOR CLOSER VIEW

Below: Opening the box after it's arrival from Instrument Alley

 Our Gold Tone EBM Electric Banjo

If the banjo is allowed free reign inside the case, it will slip towards the bottom. 

When the banjo does this then the fifth string tuner brushes against the inside of the case, detuning it.

If the banjo is pushed towards the top of the case then the fifth string tuner will not hit the inside of the case.

Placing a rag or thin cloth at the bottom of the case may keep the banjo from sliding downwards... this will help the banjo to remain in tune.

 

The back of the EBM. The serial number is under the round cover. The 9-volt battery does under the long rectangle cover. 



PERFORMANCES
Woody playing his 2007 Gold Tone EBM banjo at a Franktown, Colorado bluegrass "Gospel Jam" in 2010.  Playing acoustically, with no amplification, it did a fine job.


Additional pictures of another Gold Tone EBM-series Electric Banjo 

The Gold Tone EBM Electric Banjo incorporates the classic aesthetic of the F-style mandolin in the peghead and body scrolls. 
Banjos graduated from the front porch a good long while ago, but an electric banjo is still a rarity, and the Gold Tone banjo will turn heads. 
Luxurious appointments include precision snowflake inlays on the bound rosewood fretboard, full body binding, and gleaming gold hardware. 
A humbucker under the head provides great tonal contrast to the single coil in the banjo's neck.

 
Gold Tone EBM Electric Banjo Features:
  • Maple neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Single-coil pickup at the neck
  • Humbucker beneath the head
  • Gold hardware
  • F-style mandolin-like design
  • Full body, neck, and head binding
  • Snowflake fretboard inlays
  • 27-3/8" scale
  • 8" head, high-collar style
  • 1-3/16" nut width
  • 8 lbs. 5 oz.
  • Lifetime Warranty

ADDITIONAL LINKS:

Setup of Gold Tone Banjos

General banjo information

CLICK ON A PICTURE ABOVE TO ENLARGE FOR CLOSER VIEW

SN:   2705558  (South Korea, 2007)

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Contact WOODY for questions or comments about this page via  email. 
All personal comments, pictures copyright 1996-2011 - R. Linwood (4L RANCH)
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Since 16 Nov 2009:


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