Updated November 6, 2008

Vintage Gold Star Banjo Sales on eBay®

Quick Links: G11  G12  G20  G85  G100  G200  Hybrids  Serial Numbers     Other Japanese Brands

A bold model designation means the listing was recently added. Other bolded text reflects updates.

Links in the Notes column will pop up a Window. You may not see this if your browser is blocking popups. To see the full page of notes without popups, click here.

The tables below mention the "GS Blue" case. I now know this was the Superior 2903 case.

Model 11 (archtop, mahogany)

Date US $ Model Yr S/N Inlay Case Notes
08/18/03 930 G 11 W 1981   Wreath GS Blue  
05/14/04 1,499 G 11 FE 1978 780078 Flying Eagle GS Blue  
09/14/04   1,145 G 11 HF 1980 800285 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue Pro's only axe; see note 6
04/30/05 935 G 11 HF 1977 770401 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue  
01/24/06 1,350 G 11 W 1980 800326 Wreath Semi-hard Lightly played
02/24/06 1,127 G 11 HF 1978 780174 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue Water damage in resonator & rim
01/13/07 986 G 11 W 1981 810307 Wreath Hard Very dull nickel
01/24/07 1,536 G 11 HF 1978 780174 Hearts & Flowers GS  Blue Resale of 02/24/06
02/06/07 935 G 11 W 1986 86.1.38 Wreath Saga CP1530 Looks pristine
04/20/07 1,225 G 11 W 1977 770498 Wreath GS Blue Converted to flat head; original AT ring was included in the sale. Looks clean.
04/21/07 1,526 G 11 FE 1976 760287 Flying Eagle Hard D-tuners; original pegs included. Small s/n label. See note 8
12/01/07 1,085 G 11 HF 1979 790199 Hearts & Flowers Saga CP1530 Well-played but good condition. Buckle mar on heel. Metal needs cleaning.
09/03/08 726 G 11 FE 1982 820026 Flying Eagle Hard Serious but fixable peghead break. Hard to tell condition from photos. Case shows rough wear.
10/30/08 999 G 11 HF 1981 810518 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue Buyer reports perfect condition of wood, frets, and head but severe tarnish on metal. Probably was a case banjo.

Model 12 (archtop, maple, natural finish, rosewood stripe in laminated neck)

Date US $ Model Yr S/N Inlay Case Notes
01/23/04   1,198 G 12 W 1981   Wreath unknown  
02/12/04   1,250 G 12 HF 1978 780391 Hearts & Flowers unknown  
03/10/04   1,282 G 12 HF 1984 84013 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue D tuners
04/04/04   1,250 G 12 HF 1983 830076 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue Pittman capo
05/08/04   1,080 G 12 HF 1983 830076? Hearts & Flowers GS Blue Pittman capo
05/17/04   1,195 G 12 HF 1983   Hearts & Flowers GS Blue  
02/28/05 1,175 G 12 W 1984 840168 Wreath GS Blue  
03/05/05 1,335 G 12 HF 1983 830076 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue Pittman capo
04/02/05 885 G 12 HF     Hearts & Flowers GS Blue  
06/12/05 1,200 G 12 W 1980 800109 Wreath GS Blue  
08/11/05 1,100 G 12 W 1982 820058 Wreath GS Blue Pristine; I bought this one.
09/25/05 970 G 12 W 1980 800110 Wreath Semi-Hard D Tuners
11/28/05 1,404 G 12 HF 1983 830008 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue  
01/26/06 900 G 12 W 1984 840168 Wreath GS Blue Resale of 02/28/05
08/21/06 1,425 G 12 W 1978? unknown Wreath GS Blue No serial number label.
09/25/06 1,026 G 12 W 1980 800110 Wreath unknown Clear head; resale of 09/25/05
12/10/07 1,400 G 12 HF 1977 770425 Hearts & Flowers original Very clean, with original Fifth String head.

Model 20 (J. D. Crowe Signature Model, Gold Hardware)

Date US $ Model Yr S/N Inlay Case Notes
10/01/04   2,500 G 20 JD 1984 84.7.24 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue Did not actually sell. See note 1.
10/23/04 2,500 G 20 JD 1984 84.7.24 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue Sold! For details, see note 1.
11/07/04 4,161 G 20 JD 1981 810045 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue  
03/27/05 4,154 G 20 JD 1981 810028 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue Pristine Condition
04/27/05 3,600 G 20 JD 1981 810042 Hearts & Flowers Hard  
08/12/05 3,150 G 20 JD 1981 810015 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue D Tuners; 5th capo holes
04/30/06 4,000 G 20 JD 1981 810056 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue Looks to be in great shape. Note 8.
10/07/06 3,481 G 20 JD 1984 84.5.44 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue Better than expected, see note 7.
11/28/07 2,650 G 20 JD 1983 831232 Hearts & Flowers None Fingerboard wear. No case. S/N not confirmed.

Model 85

Date US $ Model Yr S/N Inlay Case Notes
03/23/04 1,125 GF 85 1979 790155 Leaves & Bows GS Blue
10/18/04 910 GF 85 1985 850097 Leaves & Bows TKL used by pro Josh Smith
01/10/05 995 GF 85 1985 850097 Leaves & Bows TKL  
02/09/05 949 GF 85 1985 850097 Leaves & Bows TKL  
07/09/05 806 GF 85 1985 85.5.18 Leaves & Bows New European sale
08/14/06 615 GF 85 1985 85.19.12 Leaves & Bows Gibson No truss rod cover; poor photos disguise true condition; case is rough; strange serial number.

Model 100

Date US $ Model Yr S/N Inlay Case Notes
08/03/03 1,475 GF 100 HF 1985 856004 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue s/n may be wrong
11/17/03 1,275 GF 100 HF 1986 86305? Hearts & Flowers Hard  
12/05/03 1,640 GF 100 HF 1985 850018 Hearts & Flowers Hard  
12/18/03 1,030 GF 100 HF 1980 800051 Hearts & Flowers Hard  
01/14/04 861 GA 100 HF 80s no label Hearts & Flowers Hard no s/n label; sold again May 24
02/09/04 1,100 GF 100 HF 1986 86.3.11 Flying Eagle unknown  
03/16/04 1,375 GF 100 HF 1979 790439 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue  
05/24/04 885 GA 100 HF 80s no label Hearts & Flowers unknown no s/n label; resale of Jan 14
06/09/04 1,300 GF 100 FE 1986 86.1.20 Flying Eagle Hard  
06/12/04 1,425 GF 100 HF 1986 860156 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue  
07/17/04 1,088 GF 100 FE 1986 860175 Flying Eagle GS Blue Sanded neck. See note 2 for buyer's story.
09/30/04 1,463 GF 100 FE 1979 790213 Flying Eagle GS Blue  
10/26/04 1,500 GF 100 HF 1985 850052 Hearts & Flowers Hard  
11/21/04 1,000 GF 100 HF   830080? Hearts & Flowers Unknown  
12/17/04 1,475 GF 100 FE 1985 850067 Flying Eagle TKL  
12/27/04 1,350 GF 100 HF 1984 840318 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue?  
01/20/05 1,302 GF 100 HF 1980 800218 Flying Eagle GS Blue  
04/04/05 1,399 GF 100 HF 1983 830080 Hearts & Flowers Unknown s/n corrected
04/25/05 1,533 GF 100 W 1984 840147 Wreath Semi-Hard  
06/17/05 1,627 GF 100 FE 1979 790134 Flying Eagle GS Blue  
06/25/05 1,026 GF 100 HF 1980 800010 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue not perfect, see note 4.
08/06/05 1,349 GF 100 FE 1986 860175 Flying Eagle GS Blue Refinished neck, new hooks
09/25/05 940 GF 100 HF 1980 800018 Hearts & Flowers Unknown Repaired headstock crack
09/29/05 910 GF 100 HF 1982 820051 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue Pitting; poss. water damage. Buyer changed mind based on peghead repair, which was fully disclosed in listing.  Re-listed 10/03/05.
10/01/05 1,458 GF 100 HF 1986 860158 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue Excellent condition; some pitting
10/10/05 785 GF 100 HF 1982 820051 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue Pitting; poss. water damage. See Sep 29 listing above.
12/08/05 1,500 GF 100 HF 1981 810606 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue Original owner sells; lightly used.
12/13/05 1,200 GF 100 HF 1981 810280 Hearts & Flowers Unknown  
12/23/05 1,124 GF 100 FE 1979 790109 Flying Eagle GS Blue? Poor photos but looks well-played
01/22/06 700 GF 100 W 1983 830096 Wreath GS Blue Buyer flipped, sold at $1,750
02/06/06 1,328 GF 100 FE 1982 820076 Flying Eagle Calton Ouch.  Average price even with a $500 Calton case.
02/11/06 1,400 GF 100 HF 1978 780370 Flying Eagle Semi-Hard See extensive note 5.
08/13/06 1,250 GF 100 W 1984 840147 Wreath Unknown See 04/25/05.  $283 loss.
08/21/06 1,499 GF 100 W 1984 84xxxx Wreath Hard Initials engraved in "Mastertone" inlay.
08/23/06 810 GF 100 HF 1982 820061 Hearts & Flowers Unknown Poor photos; seller calls it "cosmetically challenged."
11/08/06 1,375 GF 100 HF 1981 810252 Hearts & Flowers Superior  
02/07/07 1,779 GF 100 HF 1981 810041 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue Record-setting price. Note 8.
02/20/07 1,479 GF 100 W 1983 83.10.15 Wreath unknown Non-original tuners. Clean.
04/08/07 1,285 GF 100 FE 1982 820076 Flying Eagle Hard Resale of 02/06/06 but changed hands between.
05/12/07 1,241 GS 100 HF 1984 840271 Hearts & Flowers S&S Looks very clean.
06/08/07 1,200 GS 100 HF 1978 780123 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue Clean. Shubb capo.
09/02/07 833 GF 100 HF 1983 83.10.19 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue Signs of wear. Non-original tailpiece.
09/03/07 910 GF 100 HF 1978 780255 Hearts & Flowers GS Blue Price tailpiece; Shubb capo.
12/02/07 1,275 GF 100 FE 1979 790213 Flying Eagle GS Blue Excellent shape with lower fret wear possible. Loss of $188 since 2004.

Model 200

Date US $ Model Yr S/N Inlay Case Notes
02/14/04 1,795 GF 200 1985 85.10.09 Hearts & Flowers unknown  
11/21/04 1,476 GF 200 1985 85.1.08 Hearts & Flowers unknown Repaired headstock crack, note 3.
01/02/05 1,176 GF 200 1985 85.1.08 Hearts & Flowers unknown Did not sell; winner rejected it.
01/06/05 1,000 GF 200 1985 85.1.08 Hearts & Flowers unknown Happy Buyer! See note 3a.
06/06/05 1,350 GF 200 1985 85.1.08 Hearts & Flowers unknown ...or maybe he wasn't so happy.
01/26/06 1,700 GF 200 1984 84.12.08 Hearts & Flowers Original Repaired headstock crack

Model Hybrids (Neck & Pot do not match)

Date US $ Pot Yr Pot S/N Neck Neck Inlay Case Notes
10/07/04 1,145 G 11 HF 1981 810525 GS Wreath unknown  
11/22/04 1,595 GF 100 W 1981 810360 GS Hearts & Flowers GS Blue? Price seems high for hybrid
12/01/04 630 FQMS Arch Top   n/a GS Hearts & Flowers none unknown tone ring (FQ or GS?)
01/09/05 1,495 GF 100 W 1981 810360 GS Hearts & Flowers GS Blue? Resale (see 11/22/04)
02/06/05 910 GF 100 W 1981 810360 GS Hearts & Flowers GS Blue?  
02/10/05 1,000 G 11 HF 1981 810525 GS Wreath TKL  
08/13/08 850 G 12 W   n/a GS Wreath unknown Flathead! Either a conversion or a replaced rim. No s/n label. Unknown tone ring. Neck shows heavy use.

Models by Serial Number

S/N Model
760287 G 11 FE
770401 G 11 HF
770425 G 12 HF
770498 G 11 W
780078 G 11 FE
780123 GF 100 HF
780174 G 11 HF
780255 GF 100 HF
780370 GF 100 HF
780391 G 12 HF
790109 GF 100 FE
790134 GF 100 FE
790155 GF 85
790213 GF 100 FE
790199 G 11 HF
790439 GF 100 HF
800010 GF 100 HF
800018 GF 100 HF
800051 GF 100 HF
800109 G 12 W
800110 G 12 W
800218 GF 100 FE
800285 G 11 HF
800326 G 11 W
810028 G 20 JD
810041 GF 100 HF
810042 G 20 JD
810045 G 20 JD
810056 G 20 JD
810252 GF 100 HF
810280 GF 100 HF
810307 G 11 W
810360 Hybrid
810518 G 11 HF
810525 Hybrid
810606 GF 100 HF
820026 G 11 FE
820051 GF 100 HF
820058 G 12 W
820061 GF 100 HF
820076 GF 100 FE
820085 G 11 HF
830008 G 12 HF
830076 G 12 HF
830080 GF 100 HF
830096 GF 100 W
83.10.15 GF 100 W
83.10.19 GF 100 HF
831232 G 11 HF
840147 GF 100 W
840168 G 12 W
840271 GF 100 HF
840318 GF 100 HF
84.5.44 G 20 JD
84.7.24 G 20 JD
84.12.08 GF 200
850018 GF 100 HF
850052 GF 100 HF
850067 GF 100 FE
850097 GF 85
85.1.08 GF 200
85.10.09 GF 200
856004 GF 100 HF
86.1.20 GF 100 FE
86.1.38 G 11 W
860156 GF 100 HF
860158 GF 100 HF
860175 GF 100 FE
86.3.11 GF 100 HF

 

Home About Me Fastie Systems Privacy Policy Site Contact Me