Gold Tone OB-2 vs OB-2+: Which Bowtie Banjo Should You Buy?
The Gold Tone OB-2 and OB-2+ are two of the most popular professional bowtie banjos in production today. Both are built on the same Mastertone-style platform with the same neck, same resonator, same hardware, and same scale length. The single difference between them comes down to one component: the tone ring.
This guide explains what that difference means for the way each banjo sounds, what the price gap covers, and how to decide which model is right for your playing.
What’s the same on both banjos
Before we get into the differences, it’s worth establishing how much these two banjos share. The OB-2 and OB-2+ have identical:
- Mahogany neck and resonator construction
- Ebony fingerboard
- 22 frets and 26-1/4 inch scale length
- Bowtie inlay pattern
- Sealed planetary tuners with pearloid buttons
- Two-piece flange
- Standard nut width and string spacing
- Hardware finish and fittings
Both banjos are setup and inspected at the Gold Tone factory in Titusville, Florida before shipping to dealers. Both come with a hardshell case. Both are made in the United States.
If you put both banjos in front of you with no labels, you would struggle to tell them apart by sight.
The 19-hole bell brass tone ring on the OB-2
The OB-2 uses Gold Tone’s traditional 19-hole bell brass tone ring. This is the design that has been on Mastertone-style banjos since the prewar era at Gibson, when banjo makers settled on bell brass as the metal that produced the cutting, projecting tone that defined bluegrass banjo sound.
The 19-hole pattern refers to the holes drilled into the tone ring’s flange. These holes affect how the tone ring resonates with the head and rim, contributing to the brightness and snap that traditional Mastertone banjos are known for.
The OB-2’s sound is clear, bright, and projects well in a band setting. It’s the sound you hear on classic bluegrass recordings from the 1950s and 1960s, and the sound most banjo players associate with the term Mastertone.
The JLS tone ring on the OB-2+
The OB-2+ uses the JLS tone ring designed by John Lawless of Bluegrass Today. Lawless is a respected name in bluegrass media and a serious banjo player who designed the JLS as a modern interpretation of the Mastertone tone ring concept.
The JLS produces a slightly different tonal character than the traditional 19-hole design. Many players describe it as warmer, with more midrange complexity and a fuller body to the sound. It’s still recognizably a Mastertone-style tone, but with characteristics that some players prefer for modern bluegrass and progressive playing styles.
Sound comparison
The best way to hear the difference between these two banjos is to listen to them played back to back. Geoff Hohwald posted a side-by-side demo on the Banjo Warehouse YouTube channel: Gold Tone OB-2 vs OB-2+ Comparison.
Both banjos sound excellent. The question is which sound matches what you hear in your head when you imagine your ideal banjo tone.
Who should buy the OB-2
The OB-2 is the better choice for players who:
- Want the traditional Mastertone sound that defined classic bluegrass
- Are working in straight-ahead bluegrass styles
- Prefer the brighter, more cutting tone that projects well in jam sessions
- Want the established, time-tested design that has been the standard for decades
- Are weighing the price difference against other equipment priorities
The OB-2 is not a compromise instrument. It’s a fully professional banjo with the classic tone ring design that has anchored bluegrass banjo sound for generations.
Who should buy the OB-2+
The OB-2+ is the better choice for players who:
- Want the modern interpretation of Mastertone tone
- Prefer warmer, more complex midrange in their banjo sound
- Play in progressive bluegrass, newgrass, or contemporary styles
- Are drawn to the JLS tone ring’s specific tonal character
- Are willing to invest in the upgrade for the sound they prefer
The OB-2+ isn’t simply a better OB-2. It’s a different tonal philosophy. Players who prefer the traditional sound shouldn’t feel they’re getting less by choosing the OB-2.
Pricing and availability
Both banjos are in stock at Banjo Warehouse. Pricing reflects the tone ring difference, with the OB-2+ priced higher than the standard OB-2. Current pricing is available on each product page:
Both banjos are eligible for our financing programs. PayPal Pay in 4 is available on all orders. Afterpay is available for instruments under $4,000, including pay-in-4-interest-free or 3, 6, 12, or 24-month installment options with no late fees. Affirm is available on Reverb listings.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between the Gold Tone OB-2 and OB-2+?
The single difference is the tone ring. The OB-2 has Gold Tone’s 19-hole bell brass tone ring. The OB-2+ has the JLS tone ring designed by John Lawless of Bluegrass Today. Every other component on both banjos is identical.
Is the OB-2+ worth the upgrade over the OB-2?
It depends on the sound you want. The OB-2’s traditional 19-hole bell brass tone ring produces classic Mastertone sound. The OB-2+’s JLS tone ring produces a modern interpretation with warmer midrange and more tonal complexity. Neither is objectively better. They’re different.
Who is John Lawless?
John Lawless is a banjo player and the founder of Bluegrass Today, one of the most widely-read bluegrass publications. He designed the JLS tone ring as a modern take on the classic Mastertone tone ring design.
Are both banjos made in the United States?
Yes. Both the OB-2 and OB-2+ are designed and assembled at the Gold Tone factory in Titusville, Florida. Each banjo is set up and inspected before shipping.
Can I upgrade an OB-2 to an OB-2+ later?
The tone ring on a banjo can be replaced as an aftermarket upgrade, though this is a significant modification that requires removing the head, rim hardware, and tone ring assembly. Most players who want the JLS tone ring buy the OB-2+ from the start rather than retrofitting an OB-2. If you’re considering this kind of modification, call us at 404-218-8580 to discuss.
What’s a Mastertone-style banjo?
Mastertone is the name Gibson used for their professional banjos starting in the 1920s. The Mastertone design (flathead tone ring, mahogany or maple neck and resonator, two-piece flange, archtop or flathead options) became the template for bluegrass banjos. Gold Tone’s OB series banjos are built on the Mastertone-style platform, which is why they’re often compared to vintage Gibson Mastertones and the modern banjos that descend from that lineage.
About Banjo Warehouse
Banjo Warehouse has been selling fine banjos since 1980, now based in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Owner Geoff Hohwald has been playing and selling banjos since 1963 and is the author of The Banjo Primer (200,000+ copies sold). We are authorized Gold Tone and Deering dealers with deep inventory of Stelling, Huber, Gibson, Deering, and Gold Tone professional banjos.
Questions about which banjo is right for you? Call Geoff directly at 404-218-8580. Always happy to talk banjos.