Let's compare a Gold Tone OB-3 'Twanger' to a Pre-War Flathead

here's a comparison of the new Gold Tone OB-3 "Twanger" to a prewar flathead Gibson Mastertone.

[astro]

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.

[jewsjw]

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

[justicebrewing]

That was effortless. You are truly good at what you do

[justinjarflie]

That 3 just sounds so much clearer to me. The note separation is awesome! You sound awesome on whatever you're pickin'!

[stevenyoung]

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.

[mikefinley]

Real deal sounds better up and down the neck. Happy to know it was left to someone who has fond memories.

[carolinarider]

Pretty close the 31 is just a little more meatie and little less over tones but I would buy that twanger in a heartbeat

[cattleprods]

The Gibson sounds better, but not by much. Thanks for sharing, you are an AWESOME picker!!!

[petesmith]

I would just LOVE to play like that. How long does it take at say, two hours practice a day?

[JosephusDalrymple]

Pre-War for me due the depth and fullness. But that Twanger suuure is nice.

[marting]

i am skeptical of huge differences in sound. i say most banjos sound great

[KennyHaney-iyob]

the old 3 has bottom end and then some.

[tednicolle]

Do wooden instruments NOT get better sounding with age, so long as the quality of the wood used is of good/high quality?

[larrycortner]

i thought the Gibson had a little more interesting sound.

[redlinemando]

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 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

[nashdrifter]

The GT is going to be hard to beat in the$1500ish range no doubt.

[peterreno]

Give the Twanger 5 years playing. Fab picking.

[tednicolle]

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. 😢

[garyhopkins]

Given the value, and it not really being replaceable, I'd leave the PB conversion at home and risk the GoldTone.

[Corporal.]

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 🤔