Gold Tone Banjos
Banjo Warehouse is an authorized Gold Tone dealer based in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Every Gold Tone banjo we sell includes free US shipping, a professional setup by our banjo tech Tara, and Gold Tone’s lifetime transferable warranty — plus our own 7-day satisfaction guarantee.
Banjo Warehouse founder Geoff Hohwald has sold Gold Tone banjos since their early days in 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 — the man behind iconic models at Gibson, Recording King, Saga, and Rich & Taylor — has joined Gold Tone. His first three 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 — Greg Rich Signature — $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. We’ve already pre-sold five. 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 →
Gold Tone Banjos In Stock Now
Beginner Banjos
- 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 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-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 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.
- 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.
Bluegrass & Resonator Banjos
- 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.
- 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-2 Bowtie Mastertone — 19-hole brass tone ring, mahogany neck, golden sunburst.
- Gold Tone OB-2+ — Banjo Warehouse exclusive with upgraded JLS tone ring, mahogany neck, bowtie inlay.
- Gold Tone OB-3 — Orange Blossom with rolled brass tone ring, maple neck, hearts and flowers inlay.
- Gold Tone OB-3+ Orange Blossom “Twanger” — Upgraded JLS tone ring. Gold Tone’s best-sounding banjo in our opinion.
- Gold Tone OB-Standard+ — Banjo Warehouse exclusive with JLS tone ring upgrade.
- Gold Tone Béla Fleck Bluegrass Heart (Left-Handed) — Béla Fleck signature model, JLS tone ring, curly maple, left-handed configuration.
Specialty & Electric Banjos
- Gold Tone CC-Banjitar — 6-string banjo tuned like a guitar, great for guitarists wanting that banjo sound.
- Gold Tone WR-7 Wayne Rogers Signature 7-String Banjitar — Doubled low E string for authentic banjo drone effect.
Travel & Portable Banjos
- Gold Tone BUS — Soprano banjo ukulele with 4″ rim, perfect for travel or ukulele players wanting that banjo sound.
Don’t See What You’re Looking For?
We can order any Gold Tone instrument — banjos, mandolins, ukuleles, guitars, and more. 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 [email protected] 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 facility before leaving the factory. 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 — composite rim, under 4 lbs, won Best in Show at 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 with a composite rim and resonator. 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. All are professionally set up by our banjo tech Tara before shipping.
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+ Orange Blossom “Twanger” with JLS tone ring is Gold Tone’s best-sounding banjo in our opinion — it’s modeled after JD Crowe’s legendary RB-3.
Why Buy a Gold Tone Banjo from Banjo Warehouse?
Banjo Warehouse provides a level of service that most online dealers don’t. 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.
Banjo Warehouse owner Geoff Hohwald has over 45 years of experience as a player, teacher, dealer, and author of The Banjo Primer — the #1-rated beginner banjo method, cited in Wikipedia articles on banjo technique, 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
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 [email protected] to schedule a visit.
Questions?
Not sure which Gold Tone banjo is right for you? Call Geoff at (404) 218-8580 or email
