Gibson vs Gold Tone:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Gibson had more branded searches than Gold Tone among banjo brands in New Zealand. Gibson had about 1,050 branded searches, while Gold Tone had 10. Gibson made up 15.2% of all banjo brand searches we track, and Gold Tone accounted for 0.14%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about banjo brands, Gold Tone appeared in four of the five answers and Gibson in two. Gold Tone was mentioned before Gibson in three out of four answers.
Who do people search for more?
Gibson, about 105 searches for every 1 for Gold Tone
Who does AI mention more?
Gold Tone, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Gibson in 2
Who does AI recommend more?
Gold Tone, named ahead of Gibson in 3 of 4 answers
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Top banjo brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Gold Tone was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Gibson was mentioned in two out of five: in one of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Gold Tone was listed before Gibson in three out of four answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Deering4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- Gold Tone4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Recording King3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers- Epiphone2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Gibson2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Fender0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Ibanez0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about banjo brands
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which banjo brand should I buy in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best banjo brands in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best banjo brand in New Zealand for beginner players?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“banjo for beginners”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“bluegrass banjo”
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 20, 2026.
Is Gibson or Gold Tone more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Gibson and Gold Tone by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven banjo brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Gibson, Gold Tone. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Fender | Ibanez | Epiphone | Gibson | Deering | Recording King | Gold Tone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 42.6% | 20.3% | 20.5% | 16.1% | 0.14% | 0.28% | 0.14% |
| Nov 2025 | 43.1% | 19% | 20.4% | 16.9% | 0.15% | 0.29% | 0.15% |
| Dec 2025 | 43% | 19.1% | 22.5% | 14.8% | 0.29% | 0.14% | 0.14% |
| Jan 2026 | 40.8% | 23.3% | 20.3% | 14.5% | 0.56% | 0.28% | 0.28% |
| Feb 2026 | 40.8% | 18.3% | 22.6% | 17.4% | 0.47% | 0.31% | 0.16% |
| Mar 2026 | 44.4% | 18.6% | 17.5% | 18.6% | 0.42% | 0.28% | 0.14% |
| Apr 2026 | 44% | 21.2% | 18.2% | 15.8% | 0.41% | 0.28% | 0.14% |
| May 2026 | 47.8% | 17.8% | 17.9% | 15.9% | 0.27% | 0.27% | 0.13% |
| Jun 2026 | 44.9% | 19.5% | 18.8% | 16.3% | 0.14% | 0.28% | 0.14% |
| Jul 2026 | 45.8% | 18.3% | 18.6% | 16.5% | 0.29% | 0.29% | 0.29% |
| Aug 2026 | 44% | 19.9% | 18.7% | 17% | 0.14% | 0.14% | 0.14% |
| Sep 2026 | 45.5% | 19.4% | 19% | 15.2% | 0.43% | 0.29% | 0.14% |
How has the Gibson and Gold Tone comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Gibson was ahead of Gold Tone in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Gibson’s share of searches among banjo brands in New Zealand moved from 16.1% to 15.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 1.1K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Gold Tone’s share of searches among banjo brands in New Zealand held steady at 0.14%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 10.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand banjo brands in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Gibson lost share of searches among banjo brands in New Zealand, from 17% to 15.2%.
In September 2026, Gold Tone fell from 6th to 7th among banjo brands in New Zealand.
How are branded searches counted?
4 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Gibson’s and Gold Tone’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among banjo brands
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