I play a 1983 Deering Maple Blossom. I bought it sight unseen from the Banjo Hangout and never played before, so I was taking my chances that it would be right for me. I'm attached to it now.
If anyone has ever heard Don Parmley, I think he is my favorite player tone wise. I think he played a vintage Mastertone but tone is in his right hand too.
I tried out a couple Hubers, a homemade "Gibson", a Deering Golden Era, and a couple of Stellings and nothing really blew me away.. maybe because they were dusty and strung with nine gauge strings which killed the tone.