Brand: Stelling
Instrument Categories: Banjos, SOLD
Here we have a Stelling Golden Cross Gospel banjo, built of Black Walnut during 1978 in Spring Valley, California with a raised, rather than inlaid, rear cross. One other Gospel model like this is known to have been built for Ralph Stanley with the serial number 428. The current Golden Cross models do not have the rear cross.
The Stelling Golden Cross Gospel is based closely on the stock Golden Cross, with the primary difference being the headstock inlays. The primary material for the banjo at the time was Black Walnut – now Maple – with Ebony for the fingerboard. The resonator is custom, with the raised cross.
This Golden Cross Gospel is in overall good shape with light wear. Fret wear is light and the nickel plating is in good condition. Capo tacks are installed to the 5th string. It’s set up well and sounds great.
Here’s the builder on the current base model of the Stelling Golden Cross Gospel Banjo:
“The Golden Cross was the ninth Stelling banjo to be built, the first one to have the trademarked Stelling peghead shape, and was named for Tony Golden, who rode motorcycles with Geoff and bought the first Golden Cross. This model was also honored to be the banjo played by the late great Don Reno for the last ten years of his life, and was featured on many of his fine recordings with Bill Harrell. Originally made of walnut, the current Golden Cross features fancy curly maple with the golden sunburst stain and purfling inlaid along the neck and resonator binding.”
The original zippered hard shell case is included, along with two straps.
- Model: Golden Cross Gospel
- Year: 1978
- Finish Natural Walnut
- Class: Vintage
- Serial Number: 746, built 1978 at the Stelling shop in Spring Valley, California
- Country of Origin: USA
- Condition: Good
- Date Posted: 10/06/2021
- This instrument has been sold
- Consignment Item
- Including original Hard case
- Instrument Weight: 12.76lbs 5.8kg
- Scale Length: 26.25in 666.75mm
- Nut Width: 1.303in 33.1mm
