Gold Tone Banjos

National Banjo Day Sale: 15% Off All Gold Tone Banjos

April 7 through April 10, 2026. 80 instruments on sale. See all sale prices →

Banjo Warehouse is an authorized Gold Tone dealer in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Every Gold Tone banjo we sell includes free US shipping and Gold Tone’s lifetime transferable warranty, plus our own 7-day satisfaction guarantee.

We stock over 80 Gold Tone banjos. The instruments in our Yellow Springs showroom receive a professional setup by our banjo tech Tara, who trained at the Huber Banjo factory under Steve Huber and Bennie Boling. Additional models ship directly from Gold Tone’s factory in Titusville, Florida, where every instrument is set up before it leaves the building.

Banjo Warehouse founder Geoff Hohwald has sold Gold Tone banjos since the 1990s. He profiled Gold Tone founder Wayne Rogers in Banjo Newsletter in 2000 and collaborated with Gold Tone to develop two Banjo Warehouse exclusive models: the OB-Standard and the OB-12. His instructional video is bundled with Gold Tone’s CC-BG starter pack. Gold Tone calls him a “noted pro player.”

New: Greg Rich x Gold Tone

Legendary banjo designer Greg Rich has joined Gold Tone. Greg designed iconic models at Gibson, Recording King, Saga, and Rich & Taylor. His first three Gold Tone designs cover three price points from $999 to $3,499. Pre-order customers receive a Remo banjo head personally signed by Greg Rich with his signature musical note artwork. Limited quantity.

  • Gold Tone OB-12 Top Tension — $3,499.99. Pre-war formula brass flathead tone ring, hand-selected walnut neck and resonator, top tension rim design, Prucha Presto tailpiece, Art Deco Style 12 inlays, one-piece cast flange. Greg Rich’s flagship. Now available for pre-order.
  • Gold Tone OB-100 Orange Blossom — $1,099.99. Rolled brass tone ring, 3-ply maple rim, one-piece cast flange, mahogany neck and resonator, tobacco burst matte finish, Gotoh planetary tuners. 13 lbs. Built for players who gig regularly.
  • Gold Tone BG-175F Flying Eagle — $999.99. Flying Eagle mother-of-pearl inlays, rolled brass flat bar tone ring, multi-ply maple rim, flat flange, mahogany neck and resonator, vintage brown high-gloss finish. 8.5 lbs. Mastertone styling for under $1,000.

Greg Rich Gold Tone Comparison

Model Price Tone Ring Neck/Resonator Weight Case
OB-12 Top Tension $3,499.99 Pre-war formula brass flathead Walnut TBA Hardshell included
OB-100 Orange Blossom $1,099.99 Rolled brass Mahogany 13 lbs Hardshell included
BG-175F Flying Eagle $999.99 Rolled brass flat bar Mahogany 8.5 lbs Padded gig bag

Read about all three Greg Rich models →

In Stock at Banjo Warehouse — Yellow Springs, Ohio

These banjos are physically in our showroom. Every one has been inspected and set up by our banjo tech Tara before it ships to you. Two professional setups: one at Gold Tone’s factory, one by Tara. Ready to play the day it arrives.

Beginner Banjos — In Stock

  • Gold Tone AC-1 — $314.99. Composite rim open-back 5-string. One of the best entry-level banjos on the market. Won Best in Show at NAMM. Under 4 lbs. Gig bag included.
  • Gold Tone CC-50 Cripple Creek — $474.99. The best new wooden open-back banjo at this price. Multi-ply maple rim, rolled brass tone ring, two-way adjustable truss rod, 18 brackets. Ideal for old-time and folk. Gig bag included.
  • Gold Tone AC-5 — $499.99. The lightest resonator banjo we carry. Composite rim and resonator deliver full bluegrass volume at just 5.5 lbs. Maple neck, ZeroGlide nut, Terminator tailpiece. Ideal for travel or anyone who wants resonator sound without the extra weight. Gig bag included.
  • Gold Tone CC-50RP Cripple Creek — $699.99. Adds a full-walled removable resonator and GT planetary tuners to the CC-50 platform. Converts easily to open back. Gig bag included. Watch Geoff compare the CC-50 and CC-50RP side by side.
  • Gold Tone CC-BG Cripple Creek — $699.99. Gold Tone’s all-in-one beginner bluegrass package. Includes banjo, gig bag, cloth strap, clip tuner, and a link to Geoff Hohwald’s Banjo Primer video series. The best beginner package we offer.
  • Gold Tone CC-100R — $799.99. Maple neck and rim, rolled brass tone ring, two-way adjustable truss rod, 24 brackets, dual coordinator rods, GT planetary tuners. Convertible resonator/openback design. Gig bag included.
  • Gold Tone CC-100+/L (Left-Handed) — $799.99. Left-handed Cripple Creek with factory-installed SMP+ pickup.
  • Gold Tone CC-Banjitar — $849.99. 6-string banjo tuned like a guitar. Great for guitarists wanting that banjo sound. Gig bag included.
  • Gold Tone BG-150F — $999.99. Hearts and Flowers mother-of-pearl inlay, 14″ mahogany resonator, flat flange, 24 brackets, dual coordinator rods, GT planetary tuners, vintage brown high-gloss finish. 8.5 lbs. Gibson-inspired at an accessible price. Padded gig bag included.

Bluegrass & Resonator Banjos — In Stock

  • Gold Tone OB-150 Orange Blossom — $1,299.99. Pre-war style with 20-hole bell brass tone ring, 3-ply Canadian maple rim, one-piece cast flange. Where Mastertone-level construction begins in the Gold Tone lineup. Hardshell case included.
  • Gold Tone OB-150+ — $1,799.99. Banjo Warehouse exclusive with upgraded JLS tone ring. Same OB-150 platform with a significant sound upgrade. Hardshell case included.
  • Gold Tone OB-2 Bowtie Mastertone — $2,099.99. 19-hole brass tone ring, mahogany neck, golden sunburst, bowtie inlay. Hardshell case included.
  • Gold Tone OB-2 JM Joe Mullins Signature — $2,399.99. Joe Mullins signature model with bowtie inlay and premium appointments. Hardshell case included.
  • Gold Tone OB-2+ — $2,599.99. Banjo Warehouse exclusive with upgraded JLS tone ring, mahogany neck, bowtie inlay. Hardshell case included.
  • Gold Tone OB-3 Twanger — $2,099.99. Orange Blossom with rolled brass tone ring, maple neck, hearts and flowers inlay. Hardshell case included.
  • Gold Tone OB-3+ — $2,599.99. Upgraded JLS tone ring. Gold Tone’s best-sounding banjo in our opinion. Hardshell case included.
  • Gold Tone OB-Standard — $2,499.99. Banjo Warehouse collaborated with Gold Tone on the development of this model. Hardshell case included.
  • Gold Tone OB-Standard+ — $2,999.99. Banjo Warehouse exclusive with JLS tone ring upgrade. Hardshell case included.
  • Gold Tone OB-250+TP — $2,599.99. JLS tone ring, companion block rim, top tension design. Hardshell case included.
  • Gold Tone OB-300 Orange Blossom — $3,199.99. Triple-plated gold hardware, modified tree of life abalone inlay, sand-cast bell bronze tone ring, curly maple neck, ebony fingerboard, flamed maple resonator. Presto tailpiece, Dotson bridge. 13 lbs. Hardshell case included.
  • Gold Tone OB-Grandee Orange Blossom — $3,199.99. Gold Tone’s tribute to the Gibson Granada. Gold-plated hardware, Hearts and Flowers inlay on ebony fingerboard, sand-cast bell brass tone ring, Prucha clamshell tailpiece, Gotoh planetary tuners. 10.2 lbs. Hardshell case included.

Open Back, Old Time, Specialty & Left-Handed — In Stock

Ships Direct from Gold Tone — Titusville, Florida

We carry the full Gold Tone banjo catalog. These models ship directly from Gold Tone’s factory in Titusville, Florida, where every instrument receives a professional setup before it leaves the building. Same free shipping, same Gold Tone transferable lifetime warranty, same 7-day satisfaction guarantee.

Beginner & Intermediate

Professional & Bluegrass

View all Gold Tone banjos →

Don’t See What You’re Looking For?

We can order any Gold Tone banjo. If it’s in the Gold Tone catalog, we can get it with the same free shipping, professional setup, and 7-day guarantee.

We won’t be undersold. If you find a lower price on a new Gold Tone instrument from an authorized dealer, let us know and we’ll match it.

Call (404) 218-8580 or email thebanjowarehouse@gmail.com to place a special order.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Gold Tone Banjos Any Good?

Gold Tone banjos are among the most respected production banjos in the industry. Founded in 1993 by Wayne and Robyn Rogers in Titusville, Florida, Gold Tone builds instruments across every price point from the $314.99 AC-1 beginner banjo to professional-grade Mastertone models with brass flathead tone rings. Every Gold Tone instrument receives a setup at their Florida factory before leaving the building. Gold Tone also offers a lifetime transferable warranty on every instrument, which is one of the strongest warranties in the banjo industry.

Where Are Gold Tone Banjos Made?

Gold Tone banjos are designed and assembled at their headquarters in Titusville, Florida. Some components are sourced internationally, but final assembly, setup, and quality control happen in Florida. Gold Tone’s professional-grade Orange Blossom models use premium materials including bell brass tone rings, 3-ply maple rims, and one-piece cast flanges, the same construction methods used in pre-war Gibson Mastertones.

What Is the Best Gold Tone Banjo for Beginners?

The best Gold Tone banjo for beginners depends on your budget and playing style. The Gold Tone AC-1 at $314.99 is an excellent first banjo with a composite rim, under 4 lbs, and a Best in Show award from NAMM. If you want the lightest resonator banjo available, the Gold Tone AC-5 at $499.99 delivers full bluegrass volume at just 5.5 lbs. If you want a traditional wooden open-back, the Gold Tone CC-50 at $474.99 is the best new wooden banjo at this price. For a complete beginner package with instruction included, the Gold Tone CC-BG at $699.99 includes the banjo, gig bag, strap, tuner, and a link to Geoff Hohwald’s Banjo Primer video series. For a first bluegrass banjo with a removable resonator and planetary tuners, the Gold Tone CC-50RP at $699.99 is the right call. For players who want a full-featured resonator banjo, the Gold Tone CC-100R at $799.99 features a maple neck, rolled brass tone ring, 24 brackets, dual coordinator rods, and a convertible resonator/openback design.

What Is the Best Gold Tone Banjo for Bluegrass?

For serious bluegrass players, the Gold Tone OB-Standard+ with upgraded JLS tone ring is one of the best values in bluegrass banjos. For players who want pre-war top tension sound, the Gold Tone OB-12 Top Tension designed by Greg Rich features a pre-war formula brass flathead tone ring and hand-selected walnut construction. The OB-3+ with JLS tone ring is Gold Tone’s best-sounding banjo in our opinion. For the ultimate in appointments, the OB-Grandee and OB-300 at $3,199.99 each represent the top of the Orange Blossom line.

What Is the Best Gold Tone Banjo for Old Time or Clawhammer?

For old-time and clawhammer players, the CC-50 at $474.99 is the best entry point for a wooden open-back banjo. For a professional-grade old-time instrument with a tubaphone tone ring, the OT-800 features a 32-hole tubaphone-style tone ring, ebony fingerboard with scoop, and Remo Renaissance head, the warm, complex sound that clawhammer players prize. The BC-350 Bob Carlin is another strong option with a 12″ pot and scooped ebony fretboard.

Why Buy a Gold Tone Banjo from Banjo Warehouse?

Banjo Warehouse provides a level of service that most online dealers don’t. For the instruments in our Yellow Springs showroom, every Gold Tone banjo receives a complete professional setup from our banjo tech Tara before shipping: bridge height adjusted, head tension set to 90 on a DrumDial, intonation checked, neck relief set, and the instrument play-tested across all frets. Your banjo arrives ready to play out of the box. For models that ship direct from Gold Tone, every instrument is set up at their factory in Titusville, Florida before it leaves the building.

Banjo Warehouse owner Geoff Hohwald has been playing banjo since 1963 and selling them since 1980. He is the author of The Banjo Primer, the #1-rated beginner banjo method with over 200,000 copies sold and bundled with Gold Tone starter packs. He was Deering’s #1 dealer in 1980 and has been selling Gold Tone since the 1990s. When you call (404) 218-8580, you’re talking to real banjo players who can help you find the right instrument for your playing style and budget.

Visit Our Showroom

Geoff Hohwald playing banjo in the Banjo Warehouse showroom with dozens of banjos displayed on the wall
Geoff Hohwald, founder of Banjo Warehouse, in our Yellow Springs showroom.

Want to try before you buy? Visit our showroom by appointment:

  • Yellow Springs, OH — Serving Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus, and the Miami Valley

Call (404) 218-8580 or email thebanjowarehouse@gmail.com to schedule a visit.

Questions?

Not sure which Gold Tone banjo is right for you? Call Geoff at (404) 218-8580 or email thebanjowarehouse@gmail.com. Read our buying guide or our Deering vs. Gold Tone comparison for honest advice on finding the right banjo.

Want to know when new banjos arrive? Join our email list for weekly lessons, new arrivals, and exclusive deals from Banjo Warehouse.

Banjo Warehouse is an authorized Gold Tone dealer in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Geoff Hohwald has been selling banjos since 1980 and is the author of The Banjo Primer.