Thanks for the comparison. To my ear, the pre-war just has something to it that the Twanger doesnt. Maybe the Twanger sounds a little brighter and has less depth, but still sounds good. I'd be curious to see the Twanger compared to a RK 35/36, too. You are a fine picker, Gabe. Hope you make more videos. Best wishes.
I have been picking for a long time, I love my old Gibson and I love my OB250AT Goldtone, But the picker is at least 85 % or more of the sound, And you make em sound great. We need more of your picking videos on here. Oh and my wife say's I don't need more banjos but I think 5 isn't hardly enough
Wow, the chime and ring and fullness of the 1931...some magic...bet it inspires all the time. The twanger is awesome, good job Ben. Great playing Sir, thank you!!
The prewar definitely has more range of tone, but that's to be expected for it's age. "The Twanger" really holds it's own & seems to perform VERY WELL!!!!!!! I'm really anxious to hear what it sounds like after it's had some time to age & settle in. I'm thinking it will be a real beast on the mic!!!!!!!
I have one from the last round of production. I upgraded the tailpiece to one of the original Price units, installed Keith tuners, Nechville bridge and wood armrest. It would have been just fine in its original state, but we all know how we are with tinkering. It surpasses my 1985 Liberty Quadrille in volume and is a toss-up in tone. Worth every penny of that very affordable price. Thanks for the comparison.
Both of them are amazing banjo’s and you definitely know how to play them! The “Twanger” was the perfect name for the Gold tone. The real thing is hard to beat, but they’ve really done a good job of it! Personally, I love the sound of your Gibson. It’s like hearing someone sing a song, and you think they sound good, until that singer with the raspy, throaty, awesome voice comes along. Thanks for the video. 👍🏻
I love a Twanger, it's not comparable in the vibes/kudos stakes but for the money I think it's the best import available now, I have one and play it over my Gibson these days. Thanks Gabe, wonderful picking as ever.
Dude THAT TWANGER RIPS I WANT ONE!!! I have the Gold Tone EB5, and its decent, but I NEED that full flathead resonator and tone ring for that yummy SPARKLE!!! TBH that GT holds its own, maybe in person I could tell em apart, but not here, GREAT VID, THANKS!!!
The Gibson definitely has more sustain and a sweeter tone, in my humble opinion. You can hear the quality in the prewar Gibson. It is worth every dollar spent on higher end banjos like the Deering Golden Era and Calico. Your banjo picking is superb Gabe. Great job!
Have you ever talked to Warren Yates? His banjos are pretty cool, seems like he had a way to "age" the tone rings and rims to get a more "pre-war" sound. Wonder if a person took that tone ring out of the twanger and "aged" it, if it would take some of that slightly bright/tinny sound out of it and mellow it out like a real prewar from the 20's/30's 🤔
You are correct, the pre-war has a deeper and drier timbre and less brash. The Twanger has more of a cutting ring or pop and a bit louder and you would have no problem being heard standing in the back of the band.
How do either of these compare to the Gold Tone OB 150? I JUST got one, something went wrong somewhere. One of the tuning keys had stripped!! I have no idea how. I was just trying to change a string. 😢
The Twanger is just under G# (though I may experiment more) and I had the Gibson’s head around there as well, although I haven’t checked it in a while it feel like it has stretched out a bit so I’d say just a little looser than the Twanger but not much.
The neck on the Twanger is definitely a little bit wider and thicker, but not quite as much as some other import banjos I’ve seen. That being said, I do like a slightly bigger neck.
I believe that once you get above a certain price threshold, it no longer is about good, better, best. It's just subjective taste. I've played a couple of really famous pre-wars that I did not like, including a 1926 original 5 string flathead Granada. I have a flathead that I made with an 80 dollar Saga tone ring that plays as well as any flathead I've ever owned, but that's very subjective.
I like the Gold Tone OB-3 "Twanger" a little better actually. If the pre war are better, or the big name banjos, you are paying a LOT for a such a slight difference that it is not worth it to me. Unless of course to collect. For the pricing, Gold tone makes some great sounding banjos. I own ob 250 that i got for 800.00 brand new. It's been great. Love to own this one though.
Thanks for the comparison. To my ear, the pre-war just has something to it that the Twanger doesnt. Maybe the Twanger sounds a little brighter and has less depth, but still sounds good. I'd be curious to see the Twanger compared to a RK 35/36, too. You are a fine picker, Gabe. Hope you make more videos. Best wishes.
Do Banjos of at least decent quality, get better sounding with age?
I have been picking for a long time, I love my old Gibson and I love my OB250AT Goldtone, But the picker is at least 85 % or more of the sound, And you make em sound great. We need more of your picking videos on here. Oh and my wife say's I don't need more banjos but I think 5 isn't hardly enough
They both sound excellent with you playing them! Thanks for the comparison!
That was effortless. You are truly good at what you do
Considering buying an OB-3. The review is very helpful. Thank you.
Wow, the chime and ring and fullness of the 1931...some magic...bet it inspires all the time. The twanger is awesome, good job Ben. Great playing Sir, thank you!!
The prewar definitely has more range of tone, but that's to be expected for it's age. "The Twanger" really holds it's own & seems to perform VERY WELL!!!!!!! I'm really anxious to hear what it sounds like after it's had some time to age & settle in. I'm thinking it will be a real beast on the mic!!!!!!!
The GT is going to be hard to beat in the$1500ish range no doubt.
The Gibson sounds better, but not by much. Thanks for sharing, you are an AWESOME picker!!!
That 3 just sounds so much clearer to me. The note separation is awesome! You sound awesome on whatever you're pickin'!
Give the Twanger 5 years playing. Fab picking.
I have one from the last round of production. I upgraded the tailpiece to one of the original Price units, installed Keith tuners, Nechville bridge and wood armrest. It would have been just fine in its original state, but we all know how we are with tinkering. It surpasses my 1985 Liberty Quadrille in volume and is a toss-up in tone. Worth every penny of that very affordable price. Thanks for the comparison.
Real deal sounds better up and down the neck. Happy to know it was left to someone who has fond memories.
Both of them are amazing banjo’s and you definitely know how to play them! The “Twanger” was the perfect name for the Gold tone. The real thing is hard to beat, but they’ve really done a good job of it! Personally, I love the sound of your Gibson. It’s like hearing someone sing a song, and you think they sound good, until that singer with the raspy, throaty, awesome voice comes along. Thanks for the video. 👍🏻
Ordered a Gold-tone OB 3 Twanger after hearing this comparison. Thanks Gabe!
I did also! Love it!
Just bought a Twanger because of this video. Amazing picking
Good playing!
Great playing, the GT sounds very reasonable.
I love a Twanger, it's not comparable in the vibes/kudos stakes but for the money I think it's the best import available now, I have one and play it over my Gibson these days. Thanks Gabe, wonderful picking as ever.
Dude THAT TWANGER RIPS I WANT ONE!!! I have the Gold Tone EB5, and its decent, but I NEED that full flathead resonator and tone ring for that yummy SPARKLE!!! TBH that GT holds its own, maybe in person I could tell em apart, but not here, GREAT VID, THANKS!!!
that gold tone is right up there
It would be awesome if you could do a video of your banjo collection with a demo of each one
Pretty close the 31 is just a little more meatie and little less over tones but I would buy that twanger in a heartbeat
The Gibson definitely has more sustain and a sweeter tone, in my humble opinion. You can hear the quality in the prewar Gibson. It is worth every dollar spent on higher end banjos like the Deering Golden Era and Calico. Your banjo picking is superb Gabe. Great job!
Have you ever talked to Warren Yates? His banjos are pretty cool, seems like he had a way to "age" the tone rings and rims to get a more "pre-war" sound.
Wonder if a person took that tone ring out of the twanger and "aged" it, if it would take some of that slightly bright/tinny sound out of it and mellow it out like a real prewar from the 20's/30's 🤔
Pre-War for me due the depth and fullness. But that Twanger suuure is nice.
You are correct, the pre-war has a deeper and drier timbre and less brash. The Twanger has more of a cutting ring or pop and a bit louder and you would have no problem being heard standing in the back of the band.
Dude ur so awesome
How do either of these compare to the Gold Tone OB 150?
I JUST got one, something went wrong somewhere. One of the tuning keys had stripped!! I have no idea how. I was just trying to change a string. 😢
Gabe, What pitch do you have each of the heads tap tuned to ? Just wondering if their tuned to the same pitch. Great pickin' as usual !
Thanks, Brian
The Twanger is just under G# (though I may experiment more) and I had the Gibson’s head around there as well, although I haven’t checked it in a while it feel like it has stretched out a bit so I’d say just a little looser than the Twanger but not much.
I agree. I have Twanger #15 and it is scary good. It is definitely loud as you commented.
I would just LOVE to play like that. How long does it take at say, two hours practice a day?
Man it does sound good for being a new banjo for sure....but ur PW is killer and so warm....what does the neck feel like on twnger, is it clubby ?
The neck on the Twanger is definitely a little bit wider and thicker, but not quite as much as some other import banjos I’ve seen. That being said, I do like a slightly bigger neck.
Given the value, and it not really being replaceable, I'd leave the PB conversion at home and risk the GoldTone.
GH can obviously pull superior tone out of a sponge! BTW, I've been lucky to play #9580-22 (same batch as Mike Kropp's old banjo); plan to keep it.
I did buy an OB-3, thanks in part to your review! Thank you! Was the prewar flathead just as heavy as the ob-3?
The old Gibson is more lightly built so its about a pound or two lighter.
dam son that fine pickin
Pre-war all day! It is the sound of bluegrass.
the old 3 has bottom end and then some.
I believe that once you get above a certain price threshold, it no longer is about good, better, best. It's just subjective taste. I've played a couple of really famous pre-wars that I did not like, including a 1926 original 5 string flathead Granada. I have a flathead that I made with an 80 dollar Saga tone ring that plays as well as any flathead I've ever owned, but that's very subjective.
0:33 Twanger
2:11 Prewar
For me has the Goldstar the better sound, amazing !
Do wooden instruments NOT get better sounding with age, so long as the quality of the wood used is of good/high quality?
I like the Gold Tone OB-3 "Twanger" a little better actually. If the pre war are better, or the big name banjos, you are paying a LOT for a such a slight difference that it is not worth it to me. Unless of course to collect. For the pricing, Gold tone makes some great sounding banjos. I own ob 250 that i got for 800.00 brand new. It's been great. Love to own this one though.
i am skeptical of huge differences in sound. i say most banjos sound great
Which banjo feels better to play?
I prefer my old Gibson.
For the price difference, the Twanger is a great deal.
The pre-war definitely sounds better.
i thought the Gibson had a little more interesting sound.
No to the Gold Tone. Nice try on their part however.
Ain’t no comparison. Kinda disrespectful to the pre war 😂
Always love a comparison video😁