Catch up on all the episodes of Deering Live, right here. The banjo was one such gadget. Crowe traveled to California to record the now legendary The Bluegrass Album with Tony Rice, Bobby Hicks, Doyle Lawson, and Todd Phillips in 1980, he didnt want to take his own banjo on the plane. Used and Consignment. The Deering has a flamed maple neck, birdseye resonator and planetary tuners. Ross Nickerson and BanjoTeacher.com has been a proud dealer of Gold Star Banjos Online Since 2004. After a number of years the world economy shifted and it became impossible to continue banjo production in Japan, and importing the Gold Star line came to an end in 1986. His passion didnt end, and some twenty years or so later he was able to start production up again, this time with skilled instrument makers in China. Gold Star GF-200-1952 Banjo with Deluxe Superior Case . Learn more. 6680 Staghorn banjo for Scott Avett. The Gold Star GF-100FE Flying Eagle offers excellent, professional quality for the advancing banjo player. Another Krazy item from Slappys Vintage Vintage Ludwig 4 string Tenor banjo Parts You are bidding on the Item Pictured. Gold Star (1) Gold Tone (1) Goodtime (1) Nechville (3) Price $-$ Product type. New Posted 5/9/2013 1:13:56 AM by banjoteacher.com - Country: United States - State: FL - ZIP: 33707 Last Updated 5/27/2022 4:22:57 AM. It is a conversion, and by no means a grail (ultimate collectors banjo). The resonator and rim are made from mahogany, and the body of the instrument has 24 brackets, a tension hoop, and a Remo Renaissance head. Ever since these banjos were discontinued in the late 1980's due to costly maufacturing methods in Japan, they have continued to be topics of discussion for their legendary sound and value. was going through some serious quality issues in their banjo line while Gold Star was actually improving on the traditional designs of the elusive 'Pre-War originals'! Beautiful flamed maple neck and resonator body, triple-bound Brazilian rosewood fingerboard, and a bronze tone ring. Since that day in 1989, Deering has breathed new life into the Vega name, blending over a century of tradition with Deering's banjo building expertise, to create a range of heritage rich open back and longneck banjos that are as integral 2021 JD Crowe Goldstar. Total: We will collect the Import Fees Deposit at the time of your purchase and Antique and Vintage Banjos. The story of how Greg Deering came to own the over 130 year old Vega trademark is one of childhood dreams and an unmissable opportunity. Free shipping for many products! Woodsongs History . Resources. 137 Utah Avenue South San Francisco, CA USA 94080 +1 (650) 588-5558 www.sagamusic.com. This group is for everything related to Gold Star Banjos, new and old. eBay (211) Magazine. Crowe, Bobby Hicks, Doyle Lawson and Todd Phillips redefined the direction of the music for the next generation. Gold Star has just released the Awesome. 0. The banjo was named after a famous racing Greyhound dog in Ireland. This is referred to as Classical banjo.. Banjo Brands to Avoid When considering looking for the most exquisite brand to wear or buy, there are several Study Resources From about 1962 on and especially since 1970 there have been a large number of oriental manufacture banjos made to answer the demand. Purchase History; Buy Again; Selling; Saved Searches; Saved Sellers; Messages; Collection beta; Notification. Gold Star and Prucha parts. Appearance Rating: 10. Vess Ossman (18681923) was a leading five-string banjoist whose career spanned the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Vess started playing banjo at the age of 12. He was a popular recording artist, and in fact, one of the first recording artists ever, when audio recording first became commercially available. The five-string banjo was very popular in the late 1800s and early 1900s and many pieces of music and 78rpm records survive from this time. When bluegrass banjo star J.D. 1400 The bolt on the inlet side (65-317) has a much smaller hole than the one on the exhaust side (65-318). This golden era of banjo history has also shown the most attractive to both professional musicians and collectors, and has historically shown the most monetary appreciation of any other make or era. All American: A richly- decorated banjo model with a carved and colored eagle on the resonator back, and a three-dimensional eagle carved on the peghead. Stock tuners perform well enough. passed away in 2003, but his legend lives on in this fine banjo. There are two types of serial numbers, one with dots and one without. shipping $4.00 US- Some international $15 Terms and Condition: PLEASE READ. CALL TODAY 404-372-5482. Free shipping. Gold Star GF-100JD Bluegrass Album Banjo - Bluegrass Instruments In 1980, five musicians went into the Arch Street Studio in Berkeley, CA and Bluegrass recording history was made. Show & Tell. Read 6596 Custom walnut banjo, gold plated called the Master McGrath made for Peter Toman. Most people agreed, the new Gold Star banjos indeed surpassed the contemporary Gibson banjo. 1920s-1930s. Five years of painstaking development resulted in the Gold Star GF-100JD resonator banjo, which aims to put this coveted tone into the hands of a new generation of banjo players. 2 product ratings. Check It Out. The banjo has no noticable flaws, wood is excellent and shows good, consistant grain and coloring. Gold Star GE-1 Prospector Old-Time Banjo. $1,500. Banjo Resonator from a Gold Star Banjo Mahogany with Ivoroid Detail. Medio Fino:.. 500.00; Instrument Page List. The Bluegrass Album with Tony Rice, J.D. Another man who learned to play from These instruments were the first production banjos since the 1930s to be manufactured with the lethal combination of a three-ply maple rim and a single piece flange! BritBike Forum history. February 11, 2019. Features: Carved curly maple body, with ornate multilayer binding, laminated maple neck, ebony fingerboard with abalone block inlays, gold-plated hardware throughout, two gold plated pickups with separate volume and tone, three-way selector switch. Asian Banjos - Gold Star. Instruments > Banjo > Gold Star > Gold Star GF-100JD J.D. We have never had to employ a warranty on a Gold Star! Our extended family works hard every day to ensure that each instrument that leaves our facility meets the highest standards of utility and value. Along with this, the banjo has 2-way adjustable tailpiece. Overview. Richard K. also made sure he used a high quality tone ring to complete the famous Gold Star tone, and was one of the first to examine the metallurgy of the original pre-war tone ring. Gold Star 5 String Professional Banjo features select Mahogany neck with Ebony fingerboard, bound Mahogany resonator with inlaid double concentric rings, cast 20-hole bell bronze tone ring and deluxe 3-ply rock Maple rim. Deering. The Gold Star GF-100JD JD Crowe Banjo is a re-creation of the prewar Gibson RB-3 five string banjo used by J D Crowe on the highly influential 1980 recording The Bluegrass Album'. 1979 VINTAGE G12HF Gold Star archtop banjo all original with a very nice Superior hardshell case. Goldstar 1952 Bowtie. They have only had two shipments last fall (2017) and they sold out quickly, unfortunately the next shipment is scheduled in a couple months. Offering a wide selection of traditional open back and resonator banjos, as well as alternative banjos such as Irish tenors, travel banjos, long neck banjos, and banjitars. The Gold Star has a 20 Deering Good Time and Gold Star GF-85 Banjo Sound Check. San Francisco, CA, was responsible for the excellent Gold Star banjos, as well as the Kentucky and Saga Mastertone style banjos, 1976-86. It has double coordinator rods, single piece die-cast flange, triple nickel-plated hardware and Presto tailpiece. Crowe have all owned these models valued in excess of $10,000. Everything has been professional done. In the antebellum South, many enslaved Africans played the banjo, spreading it to the rest of the population. Old Gold Star banjo that has been up graded. PRODUCT. FREE USA SHIPPING. The Bluegrass Album with Tony Rice, J.D. Used - Excellent Condition Gold Star Banjo. Don't buy the DIY banjo kits; you'll never get satisfaction if something is wrong. 1980 Gold Star GF100FE. Used - Good Condition / Country: United States - State: MO Last Updated 5/11/2022. Nickel-plated mounting bolt and bar included with each armrest. When the boom of the 1920s came along, he got rid of his five-string and picked up a 4-string. 6596 Custom walnut banjo, gold plated called the Master McGrath made for Peter Toman. The Gold Star GF-100W Mahogany Wreath 5-String Banjo was created to meet the demand among banjo players for what most agree is the ideal bluegrass banjo: the flathead built in very limited quantities during the 1930s. In 1980, five musicians went into the Arch Street Studio in Berkeley, CA and Bluegrass recording history was made. He started playing the banjo in the 1890s, classical five-string style. 1984 Gold Star It has a Yates bridge and has been set up by Donnie Little the banjo man. Click HERE to read about the history of Gold Star banjos. Click HERE to view individual high-resolution photos or go to photobucket for easy navigation or slideshow of photos. Gold Star GF-100HF Professional 5-String Resonator Banjo Hearts & Flowers Inlay. Showing 1 - 15 of results USED Gold Star GF-100FE Resonator Banjo. Gold-plated engraved hardware, pearloid fretboard, burl walnut, and white holly woods. Details. Own a piece of banjo history with this excellent instrument.. $2500 with original hard case I've only played the ones of the 1980s, so I don't know if they are still as good. No. Clifford Essex New Paragon c1933 Body Rear . Greg says Great banjo for the money! Railroad Spikes installed at A, Bb, B, C positions for capoing 5th string. Love What You Play. Another man who learned to play from More From The Builder On the Gold Star GF100JD banjo: In 1980, five musicians went into the Arch Street Studio in Berkeley, CA and Bluegrass recording history was made. Early History. Gold Tone was founded by Wayne and Robyn Rogers, who still operate it to this day. Also available in a polished unplated model, suitable for engraving. Width at nut 1 11/16, scale 24 3/4. He ended up being recorded by Folkways. All of our banjos include free shipping and our Full Satisfaction Guarantee. These are all hand signed by JD Crowe. A comprehensive lineup including Gold Star, Flinthill, Saga and Rover models. The evolution of the modern banjo is an interesting story in itself. - GOLD TONE 4-STRING TENOR BANJO w/ CASE ~ OPEN BACK IRISH CELTIC STYLE, IT-250. These banjos were marketed in Japan under both the Tokai brand on the headstock and the Gold Star brand. But keep in mind that at that time Tokai was making them for both US and Japanese markets as either Tokai or Gold Star brands, but are otherwise identical (as far as we know). The suggested list price of the GF-300FE banjo is $3,295.00 Our price is the lowest we can find anywhere! 0. No. favorite this post May 27 NINTENDO 64 GAMES In this price range, this is an excellent banjo. Five-Star pegs fit standard 3/8" (10.00mm) diameter pegholes, and include threaded hex bushings with peghead washers. This banjo has a Maple neck and Maple resonator. Also see Asian Banjo Catalogs. Its engraved armrest attests to the instrument once having been played by the "Pecos Kid". Jon converted it to a flathead using an Ode tone ring. Seller Hub Reverb Payments FAQ. Most banjo players agree that the flat top banjo produces the best bluegrass sound. Includes Superior Hardshell Case. No. STORE HOURS Gold Tone is renowned for building professional quality banjos at an affordable price. 5-String Open-Back Banjos (13) History; Our Team; Testimonials; Newsletter; SUPPORT. 6662 Custom Two Star Indian banjo made for Richard Barrett. History. Local Shop, World-Renowned Experience. $899.00. 08. This group is meant to be a I've played these banjos, I'm really impressed. and the FE inlay work is excellent as well. Hologram Queen smiles and waves from the Gold State Coach in touching throwback to her coronation in 1953 and the early days of Her Majesty's 70-year reign Advertisement Ready for the PAGEANT! This sturdy original-style armrest fits a standard 24-bracket Mastertone banjo with 11" (279.40mm) diameter rim, for more comfortable playing. SOLD. Banjo.com has the flat top Gold Star banjo that produces the bluegrass tone that player such as Tom Adams are looking for. In the antebellum South, many enslaved Africans played the banjo, spreading it to the rest of the population. At the time, the major American manufacturer (who shall remain unnamed!) In the late 1970s Saga Musical Instruments made banjo history with the introduction of the Gold Star Banjo. Most were 3-piece solid maple bodies. Sold out Quick view. Used - Excellent Condition / Country: United States - State: MA Last Updated 5/8/2022. This banjo has a recent new 5-Star head mounted and new bridge. Specs. In his memoir With Sabre and Scalpel: The Autobiography of a Soldier and Surgeon, the Confederate veteran and surgeon John Allan Wyeth recalls learning to play the banjo as a child from an enslaved person on his family plantation. To meet this demand and to offer it at a price any player could afford, Saga Musical Instruments introduced the original GF-100 banjo in the early 1970's. This is a gorgeous banjo that is an extraordinary value and has been fully inspected and set up here at the Banjo Warehouse. Crowe, Bobby Hicks, Doyle Lawson and Todd Phillips redefined the direction of the music for the next generation. The Gold Tone CC-100R Banjo is among the most used banjo. Gold-plated engraved hardware, pearloid fretboard, burl walnut, and white holly woods. The fretboard was hand-painted with scenes depicting the development of American history. Gold Tailpiece w/ Mounting bolts. $ 1,995.00. Pay in 4 interest-free installments of $482.50 with. $599.00 $699.00. Is a great banjo that you can play any where. Sale price. Deering Live is a live stream video series presented by Deering Banjos which features interviews with all your favorite banjo players, as well as Deering Tech sessions and other great content. From The Ace Model Banjo. At any rate, this is a fine example of a very good player instrument with the classic looks and feel of a thirty-year old flat head banjo. The Gold Star GF-85 banjo was originally introduced by Saga Musical Instruments in the late 1970's by replicating, and in most cases, improving upon features generally found only in the most highly regarded and collected Prewar originals. The banjo was named after a famous racing Greyhound dog in Ireland. That album also featured Tony Rice on Guitar, Bobby Hicks on Fiddle, Doyle Lawson on Mandolin and vocals, and Todd Phillips on bass. Overview. The Bluegrass Album with Tony Rice, J.D. Get in Touch Sell Your Gear Gold Tone AC-5 Banjo (AC5) Gold Tone. $ 1,995.00. The Gold Star GF 100JD is a new instrument, and as always we will set the banjo up to the players requirements. It sounds deep and throaty with a nice thump. Starting in the late '70s, Saga introduced its Gold Star line of banjos. The tone ring is made from Maple and has a Brass Truss rod. AmericanListed features safe and local classifieds for everything you need! $199.99. 6662 Custom Two Star Indian banjo made for Richard Barrett. This particular instrument is based on the RB-3 that Don Reno got from Earl Scruggs in 1949. The original hard shell case is included. favorite this post May 30 Powermatic Model 90 Lathe $1,500 (det > Holly) pic hide this posting restore restore this posting. New Posted 5/9/2013 1:13:56 AM by banjoteacher.com - Country: United States - State: FL - ZIP: 33707 Last Updated 5/27/2022 4:22:57 AM. The fretboard was hand-painted with scenes depicting the development of American history. Vintage Gold Star Banjo Sales on eBay Gold Star Models by Serial Number. He started playing the banjo in the 1890s, classical five-string style. Our History CONTACT US. Banjos. All gold plated, including the 2 Keith-Bump tuners. Gold Star is a Gibson copy that can be really good. When I bought it in 1964 from Jon Lundberg it was an archtop plectrum. At Gold Tone, we care about YOU, the player. It has D tuners on the G and B strings. Serial Numbers BSA Triumph. Gold Star Gold Star GF-100JD JD Crowe Banjo. The Gold Star GF-100FE was inspired by the Gibson Mastertone banjos of the early 1930s. See the new Gold Star Banjo GF 100 JD Crowe. Used - Excellent Condition / Country: United States - State: NC Last Updated 4/21/2022. No. USED Recording King RK-T36-BR Tenor Banjo. 6680 Staghorn banjo for Scott Avett. This banjo is a direct descendant of the GF-100 5-String Banjo made to great acclaim in the '70s and '80s. $375.00 Deering Artisan Goodtime Special LEFTY (8136) $729.00 Deering Goodtime 1 Open Back Banjo. Crowe Signature Bluegrass Album Banjo w/ Superior Deluxe Hardshell Banjo Case #0182. Watch Now. Description. It has a old tone ring and has been fitted. A place for fans of Tokai, Gold Star, Kentucky, and other Vintage Saga brand banjos made in Japan in the 70s and 80s. All American: A richly- decorated banjo model with a carved and colored eagle on the resonator back, and a three-dimensional eagle carved on the peghead. What they have now is the new Bluegrass Album Banjo commemorative edition Gold Star GF 100-JD . Details. 6679 Fifteenth Merle Fest banjo. Ode and Ute. Gold Star G12HF. It is widely assumed that the format without the dots means year-month-serial and, indeed, that even the fixed 6-digit format means the same thing. This banjo produces a sweet tone with exceptional balance across lows, mids, and highs. When traders brought African slaves to America, the slaves brought their own musicand musical instruments with them. 1981 Gold Star GF-100Fe 5-String Banjo Used Eastman MD315 F-Hole F-Style Mandolin In Classic Finish New C.C. The Gold Star GF-300FE (Flying Eagle) continues in that tradition and is a 5-string banjo that is loaded with top-notch appointments such as hand-cut mother of pearl flying eagle patterned inlays, beautiful flamed maple neck and resonator body, triple bound ebony fingerboard, gold-plated hardware, brass flange, and a bronze tone ring. Made in China Deering. Gold Tone makes a decent banjo, and some of their higher end ones sound really good, but I haven't tried the moderately priced models. 1983 Gold Star GF-85 (sold) Used - Very Good Condition / Country: United States - State: FL Last Updated 3/13/2021. Gold Star Model GF-85 Flathead Banjo (sold) Used - Excellent Condition / Country: United States - State: NJ Last Updated 2/23/2021. I shipped it to to Robby Robinson in Ohio who built the mahogany 5-string neck. The Bluegrass Studio History. Earl Scruggs, Sonny Osborne, and J.D. $529.00 MUSIC VILLA. These banjos are all autographed inside the resonator by JD Crowe. This Gold Star banjo purchases from Beyond Guitars is backed by our 14-day customer satisfaction guarantee, and a full lifetime warranty to the original purchaser from the manufacturer. GOLD TONE 4-STRING TENOR BANJO w/ CASE ~ OPEN BACK IRISH CELTIC STYLE, IT-250. The Gold Star flange and tension hoop alloys were upgraded to C $1,231.94. MUSIC VILLA 539 E. Main Street. Most banjo players agree that the ideal Bluegrass banjo was the flathead built in very limited quantities during the 1930s. $650.00: 1979 Gold Star GF100FE sold pending payment (sold) The Broadkaster Special is a five-string banjo with a resonator. 5.0 out of 5 stars. NEW Gold Star GF100JD JD Crowe 5 string Banjo. Banjo stays in tune nearly all the time with only minor tuning required from time to time. IMPORTANT NOTICE; New Arrivals; Violins. Vintage Gold Star - Richard Keldsen of music wholesaler Saga in So. Recent professional setup. The Gold Star GF-200HF continues in that tradition and is a 5-string banjo that is loaded with top-notch appointments such as hand-cut mother of pearl hearts and flowers patterned inlays. Description. History; The Founding Fathers; 1981 Gold Star GF-100FE 5-String Banjo Used. These instruments were the first production banjos since the 1930s to be manufactured with the combination of a three-ply maple rim and a single piece flange! Gold Star GE-1 Prospector Old-Time Banjo $ 695.00. It has a Yates rim in it, that has been installed by Mr. Yates himself. Own a piece of banjo history with this excellent instrument.. $2500 with original hard case Gold Star GF-100FE Professional 5-String Resonator Banjo Flying Eagle Inlay. Crowe Signature Bluegrass Album Banjo $ All three are in my personal collection. Bozeman, MT 59715 (406) 587-4761. info@musicvilla.com. Reverb News Price Guide Buying Guides Gift Cards Refer-A The earliest known prototypes appeared around the seventeenth century in the Caribbean region and showed striking resemblances to western stringed instruments in the form of fingerboards and tuning pegs. Cream has a vintage-correct look for many banjo styles. CA and Bluegrass recording history was made. Import Fees Deposit Included. No. http://www.howlinkittymusic.com/81 Gold Star all original except for the head. Deering Americana Open Back Banjo. Later, Al went back to the 5-string. View Banjo Brands to Avoid.edited.docx from HISTORY 101 at Univesity of Nairobi. Gold Star GF-100JD -New JD Crowe Model. They generally have thicker necks than most. Vintage Pearloid is semi-translucent and has the look of early plastics that compliments vintage hardware. Shop Gear. This group is for everything related to Gold Star Banjos, new and old. In his memoir With Sabre and Scalpel: The Autobiography of a Soldier and Surgeon, the Confederate veteran and surgeon John Allan Wyeth recalls learning to play the banjo as a child from an enslaved person on his family plantation. Furthermore, the Gold Tone Banjo has black neck binding with curly Maple headstock veneer and low string action. 6679 Fifteenth Merle Fest banjo. Check It Out . Used - Excellent Condition Posted 5/24/2022 4:23:30 AM by KB Five - Country: United States - State: GA Last Updated 5/24/2022 4:27:28 AM. Best Price on Gold Star Banjos. A classical banjo player picks the strings in exactly the same way as a classical guitar player. Five-Star Banjo Armrest. Apparently, nobody wanted to hear Victorian banjo playing in the 20s. PRODUCT. No. Click HERE to read about the history of Gold Star banjos. Click HERE to view individual high-resolution photos or go to photobucket for easy navigation or slideshow of photos. In the late 1970s Saga Musical Instruments made banjo history with the introduction of the Gold Star Banjo. Frank Ford and Richard Johnston, seasoned veterans in the industry, founded Gryphon Stringed Instruments in Palo Alto, CA in 1969. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Gold Star GF-100W at the best online prices at eBay! G-K. L-Z. Crowe on the landmark recording "The Bluegrass Album." Also see Asian Banjo Catalogs. A re-creation of the legendary banjo used by J.D. The banjos are from left to right, a Masters Cross Deluxe in fancy walnut, a custom MasterFlower (called the Spaltwood) in spalted maple, a unique one of a kind banjo, and behind it the 20th Anniversary Staghorn (#8 of 8) in quilted maple. Most were 3-piece solid maple bodies. C.C. In 1980, five musicians went into the Arch Street Studio in Berkeley, CA and Bluegrass recording history was made. A-F. Gold Star. The neck is also made from mahogany, with a rosewood fingerboard, snowflake inlay, and bone nut. Brand New. Great sound and playability. CONDITION: some age and wear on the gold plating- good solid shape. But it is a players banjo, and it sounds great. When the boom of the 1920s came along, he got rid of his five-string and picked up a 4-string. Contact Us; FAQS; Consignments; Online Payment Form; Entry Level. The tailpiece is a heavy-duty adjustable Presto style, like what came on the original issue Gold Star banjos. Banjos Gold Star GF-100FE Professional 5-String Resonator Banjo Flying Eagle Inlay $ Banjos Gold Star GF-100HF Professional 5-String Resonator Banjo Hearts & Flowers Inlay $ Banjos Gold Star GF-100JD J.D. Check out our Gold Star Model GF-100W Pro Banjo with Wreath Inlays. Features: Carved curly maple body, with ornate multilayer binding, laminated maple neck, ebony fingerboard with abalone block inlays, gold-plated hardware throughout, two gold plated pickups with separate volume and tone, three-way selector switch. At any rate, this is a fine example of a very good player instrument with the classic looks and feel of a thirty-year old flat head banjo. Browse search results for odessa banjo for sale in Michigan. Gold Star GF-100 JD Crowe Signature Model. 1 product rating - gold tone 5-string bob carlin open back banjo old time sound bc-350 Gold Star Banjos. Oscar Schmidt Banjo $250 (det > oakland county) pic hide this posting restore restore this posting. passed away in 2003, but his legend lives on in this fine banjo. These instruments were the first production banjos since the 1930s to be manufactured with the lethal combination of a three-ply maple rim and a single piece flange! Brand: Gold Star $ 2,108. Categories Brands Shops Deals and Steals Price Drops 0% Financing New and Popular Handpicked Collections. Sell on Reverb. Banjos. Item: Estimated Import Fees Deposit: $92.71. Later, Al went back to the 5-string. As a result, Gold Star banjos became collector's items for the current crop of pickers during the 1978 Gold Star GF100W. $ 695.00. Deering Live. Gold Star GF-100JD -New JD Crowe Model. Check It Out. +16504932131. Ive been searching for a great banjo for many years and thanks to you Ive found one! Pages. No direct sales; through dealers only. STORE HOURS. -- The banjo bolts for attaching the oil feed manifold to the spindles are not interchangeable. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Gold Star Model GF-100FE Pro Banjo with Flying Eagle Inlays (5 String) at Amazon.com. $8. He ended up being recorded by Folkways. Believe it or not, the banjo was far more popular than the guitar. 2021 JD Crowe Goldstar. Apparently, nobody wanted to hear Victorian banjo playing in the 20s. Plays and sounds great. Black gives a clean, contemporary style to your banjo. Width at nut 1 11/16, scale 24 3/4. Geoff Stelling. United States. Made of polished one-piece brass. Gold Star GF 100-JD. The Bluegrass Album with Tony Rice, J.D. The evolution of the modern banjo is an interesting story in itself. The earliest known prototypes appeared around the seventeenth century in the Caribbean region and showed striking resemblances to western stringed instruments in the form of fingerboards and tuning pegs. No. 10:57. In the late 1970s Saga Musical Instruments made banjo history with the introduction of the Gold Star Banjo. Vintage Gold Star Banjo. No.