fergie - Posted - 03/06/2025:  06:12:53

Hello
Anyone know if its possible to determine the year of make of a Gold Tone PBS from the serial number. I’m looking at buying a used resonator, 8-string PBS-M Goldtone Beard signature model. It has a white binding and tobacco sunburst and mahogany body and neck. Serial number is #22101024. Looks to be in good overall shape but I don't want something that would be more than 10 years old preferably.
Thanks
John

hlpdobro - Posted - 03/06/2025:  06:35:33

To my knowledge there is no 8 string PBS-M.



The 8's are PBS-8 a laminate guitar with PBS cosmetics.



As far as dating, I'm not sure if Gold Tone tracks their serial numbers. A phone call would verify. The very early guitars had plastic knobs on the tuners, problematic. I'll add that numbered guitars were set up by Gold Tone in FL.



h

Edited by - hlpdobro on 03/06/2025 06:45:45

wlgiii - Posted - 03/06/2025:  08:48:51

For what it's worth, my Gold Tone 8 string has been a peach and I'd give them an overall thumbs up. It also does well in C6 tuning. Some folks have mentioned that the thinner string gauges may not apply enough pressure on the cone, but no issues with this one.

fergie - Posted - 03/06/2025:  10:09:43

Thanks for the feedback HlPdobro and wIgii. The guitar is for sale a music store, Greg Boyd's House of Fine Instruments - Montana - seems to be a pretty decent store from their website. They advertise it as being - Goldtone PBS-M Beard signature 8-string resonator guitar. Tobacco sunburst Mahogany body and neck. I emailed Gold tone to enquire about dating, but no response so far. Thanks for the info on string gauges - i would likely be using a bit lighter gauges than the usual open G tuning gauges. I'm thinking of a C9 tuning, as I have a lap steel and use a similiar tuning except tuned up to a D9.

wlgiii - Posted - 03/06/2025:  10:34:40

I match the gauges of a SIT 8 string C6 set, but with phosphor bronze- no one that I know of makes such set, so it's off to the friendly local acoustic music store for individual strings.

fergie - Posted - 03/06/2025:  11:06:47

Mystery solved. Gold Tone got back to me and said the guitar would be dated to 2021.

hlpdobro - Posted - 03/06/2025:  12:27:33

I've looked at the photos. Def. a PBS-8 mahogany laminate guitar. Gold Tone can verify. It's just an honest mis-id from Greg's shop. It's a good outfit.



From Gold Tone's website.

PBS-8



h

Edited by - hlpdobro on 03/06/2025 12:35:06

fergie - Posted - 03/07/2025:  13:02:53

Hey thanks alot Howard. You know your dobros alright! Do you have any thoughts on the mahogany laminate tone wise? Would there be a big difference in tone and volume compared to solid wood.