Buy Gold Tone Banjolele-DLX Banjo Ukulele Deluxe (Maple)Gold Tone Banjolele-DLX Banjo Ukulele Deluxe (Maple) Product Description:
- A one-piece flange and resonator creates excellent volume and tone
- It produces superior volume.
Product Description
Combining quality ukulele craftsmanship with a banjo body, the Banjolele Deluxe achieves more volume while keeping that distinctive uke sound. This closed-back model is an affordable alternative for uke players desiring loud volume and the banjo uke tone. With its 8” rim and tone ring, this model projects very well ideal for solo and group performing. A one-piece flange and resonator creates excellent volume and tone and is a great alternative instrument for uke players as it produces superior volume to its openback predecessor. The newly added geared tuners are a significant upgrade to the vintage-style friction pegs and provide smooth tuning ratio. This model, along with its vintage appeal, is perfect for the uke player searing for a unique sound.
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful.
Goldtone Banjolele DLX
By BanjoGuy
I purchased this Banjolele DLX based on a sentence in Goldtone's site which says "It's design incorporates an arched top which lends itself to the playing style of George Formby". More about George below. The set-up upon receipt was EXCELLENT either done by Goldtone, the distributor or the retailer. Head was properly tensioned, string height was perfect, bridge in proper position, and neck angle was correct. The physical condition was also excellent in that there were no scratches, chips, dings, etc. One of the few of my many instruments that could be taken right out of the case and played and enjoyed without tearing it apart.Some other reviews indicated the tuners would slip and the banjolele could not be kept in tune. This referred to an older design when Goldtone used vintage 'friction' type tuners. These have now been replaced with geared tuners so this is not a problem anymore. Some web retailers are still using an older picture of the Banjolele which shows the old friction tuners (which stick straight out of the back of the neck). Check with your retailer to insure you will be getting the new planetary geared tuners which stick out of the sides of the neck (as shown on the Goldtone site).Having played guitar for 40 years and now suffering from arthritus and not being able to make chords on my various 6 strings, I was looking for another stringed instrument to enjoy at my reduced level. I jumped on You Tube looking for sound samples of various ukuleles. I stumbled upon this guy named George Formby who was an English actor/comedian/vocalist/musician in the 30's and 40's playing a banjolele.After hearing the sounds he got out of a banjolele versus what he got out of a uke, I decided to give it a try. Vintage Gibson & Ludwig banjoleles are out of reach of the average working guy, but Goldtone cloned some of the best features and maintain a reasonable price.The sound is quite different from a tenor or plectrum banjo. A little more plunky. The Goldtone is loud, but you can remove the flange and resonator to make it an open back model if you prefer something less punchy.If you play guitar, you use the same chord fingerings on the top four strings (guitar DGBE is banjolele GCEA) but the chord name changes, still a very easy conversion.To see if you want to join the club, get on you tube and search George Formby Sergeant Major, listen to the banjo solo at about 1:10. Click on other suggestions where he's holding a banjolele.There are plenty of Formby tutorials on You Tube. Type in Formby Split Stroke which will take you to a host ofbanjolele lessons. This is his signiature strum. (followed by the "triple stroke" and the "fan stroke").Good luck and good strumming.
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