Bluegrass Resonator Banjos
Bluegrass banjos are designed for bluegrass music but are sometimes used for other types of music as well. The resonator on the back re-directs sound toward the front of the banjo, making it significantly louder. Resonators also help to create a tone that is deeper and more complex, a characteristic of bluegrass banjos.
Five-string banjos that lack a resonator are referred to as “open back” banjos, frequently played in “clawhammer” style, while finger picks are normally used to play bluegrass banjos.
Deciding between open-back and resonator? Our open-back vs resonator banjo guide explains the difference.
New to the bluegrass sound? Read our guide to the best bluegrass banjos.
Rare 1987 Stelling One-Bird Virginian from the original Philadelphia owner. Gold-plated and heavily hand-engraved with the proprietary Stelling tone ring, mother-of-pearl Cardinal peghead inlay, and walnut neck and resonator. Gold plating refreshed in April 2026 by Huber Banjos. Serial 3149. Original case and paperwork included.
The Deering Artisan Goodtime Special combines vintage aesthetics with the brighter, richer tone of the Goodtime Special steel tone ring. Dark red mahogany stain, midnight maple fingerboard with vintage artisan pearloid inlays. Planetary tuners, spikes installed, nickel hardware. Clearly louder than the Goodtime Two — great for playing in a band. Handcrafted in Spring Valley, California. $1,599 with free shipping and professional setup by our banjo tech Tara. Made in the USA.
The Deering Golden Era is a maple, prewar-style bluegrass banjo featuring the Deering -06- 20-hole bell bronze tone ring, hearts and flowers mother of pearl inlays on A grade ebony, and a deeper tapered resonator for powerful projection. Modeled after an original prewar Gibson flathead 5-string once owned by Banjo Warehouse owner Geoff Hohwald. Brand new, in stock, professionally set up by our banjo tech Tara, with custom spike installation and free shipping. Authorized Deering dealer.
The Deering Goodtime Blackgrass is the darkest banjo in the Deering lineup. All-black matte finish, black head, matte black hardware. 3-ply violin grade maple rim with resonator. Midnight maple fingerboard with vintage artisan inlays. Planetary tuners, spikes at 7, 9, and 10. Handcrafted in Spring Valley, California. $1,389 with free shipping and professional setup by our banjo tech Tara. Made in the USA.
The Deering Blackgrass Special takes the all-black Blackgrass and adds a Goodtime Special steel tone ring for a brighter, richer tone with more sustain and volume. Midnight maple fingerboard with vintage artisan pearloid inlays. Planetary tuners, spikes at 7, 9, and 10.
The Deering Goodtime Two adds a resonator to the beloved Goodtime platform for more volume and projection. 3-ply violin grade maple rim paired with a 3-ply maple resonator produces a rich, golden bluegrass tone. Art Deco inspired hardwood inlays. US Bronze powder finished flange and hardware. Handcrafted in Spring Valley, California. $849 with free shipping and professional setup by our banjo tech Tara. Made in the USA.
The Gold Tone AC-5 is the lightest resonator banjo we carry at $499.99. Composite rim and resonator deliver full bluegrass volume at just 5.5 lbs. Maple neck, ZeroGlide nut, two-way adjustable truss rod, Terminator tailpiece, Remo head. Professionally set up at Banjo Warehouse in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Includes gig bag.
This is the left-handed version of the Gold Tone AC-5 — a genuinely impressive beginner bluegrass banjo that punches well above its price point. The composite rim and resonator deliver a punchy low end and clear, ringing highs that surprised me the first time I picked one up. It ships with a padded gig bag and is professionally set up at the Gold Tone factory in Titusville, Florida before shipping.
The Gold Tone BG-150F is a Gibson-inspired bluegrass banjo at $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. Professionally set up at Banjo Warehouse in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Includes padded gig bag.
This is the left-handed version of the Gold Tone BG-150F, a beautifully appointed bluegrass banjo that captures the vintage elegance of pre-WWII instruments at a price that won't break the bank. With its hearts-and-flowers inlay, fully-bound neck, 14-inch mahogany resonator, and lightweight rolled brass flat-bar tone ring, it delivers real bluegrass tone without the shoulder fatigue of heavier rigs. Every BG-150F/L ships with a professional factory setup from Gold Tone in Titusville, Florida.
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PRE-ORDER: Flying Eagle inlays and Mastertone styling for under $1,000. The BG-175F features a rolled brass tone ring, mahogany construction, and weighs just 8.5 lbs. Greg Rich design. Ships when available.
The Gold Tone BG-Mini is a genuinely professional 5-string banjo scaled down to an 8-inch head and 19-3/4" scale length — perfect for young players who are serious about bluegrass, or for any adult who wants the ultimate travel banjo. It features a rolled-brass flat-bar tone ring, planetary tuners, a two-way adjustable truss rod, and a 10-inch mahogany resonator, all in a package that weighs just 5 lbs. Every BG-Mini is professionally set up at Gold Tone's factory in Titusville, FL.