Clawhammer Banjos
Clawhammer, also called frailing, is the old-time style played with a downward striking motion of the hand rather than fingerpicks. Banjos built for it are almost always open-back, giving the soft, woody, percussive tone that suits old-time and folk music.
Many clawhammer banjos feature a scooped fingerboard, with the frets removed at the neck end so you can strike the strings up over the board for that classic mellow voice. Browse our clawhammer banjos below, or see Geoff’s best clawhammer banjos guide for his picks.
The Gold Tone AC-1 is an award-winning beginner banjo that weighs under four pounds, thanks to its innovative composite rim and slim, playable neck. Named 'Best in Show / MUST Stock' at the 2016 Summer NAMM Show in Nashville, it delivers real banjo tone in a durable, travel-friendly package. It ships with a gig bag and a professional setup by our banjo tech Tara at Banjo Warehouse.
The Gold Tone AC-12 is a 12-inch openback 5-string banjo built specifically for old-time and clawhammer players who want a serious instrument without a serious price tag. At just five pounds, it's one of the lightest full-size banjos on the market — perfect for long festival days and casual front-porch sessions alike. Every AC-12 is professionally set up at Gold Tone's factory in Titusville, FL so it plays beautifully right out of the box.
The Gold Tone BC-350 is a professional-grade old-time banjo designed to Bob Carlin's exact specifications, featuring a 12-inch three-ply maple pot, rolled brass flat-bar tone ring, scooped ebony fretboard, and planetary-gear tuning machines — all in a package built for serious old-time and clawhammer players. Every BC-350 receives a professional factory setup at Gold Tone in Titusville, Florida before it ships. A hardshell case is included.
The Gold Tone CC-100R is the best beginner banjo at this price. Maple neck and rim, rolled brass tone ring, two-way adjustable truss rod, and a convertible resonator/openback design. Professionally set up at Banjo Warehouse in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Gig bag included.
The Gold Tone CC-50 Cripple Creek is a 5-string open-back banjo built for old-time and folk playing. Multi-ply maple rim, rolled brass tone ring, two-way adjustable truss rod, and Terminator tailpiece. Lightweight at 5.5 lbs. Professionally set up at Banjo Warehouse in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Includes gig bag. $474.99.
![Gold Tone HM-25 High Moon 11-inch openback banjo front view with mahogany satin finish [gt-variant:1453]](https://banjowarehouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/gold-tone-hm-25-1-510x1020.webp)
![Gold Tone HM-25 openback banjo full front view showing body and neck [gt-variant:1453]](https://banjowarehouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/gold-tone-hm-25-2-510x510.webp)
The Gold Tone HM-25 High Moon brings the soul and character of the HM-100 into a more compact, more accessible 11" openback built for today's clawhammer player. With a scooped rosewood fingerboard, Remo Renaissance head, and GT planetary tuners, it delivers that signature "cluck" tone. Includes a padded gig bag and arrives factory set up by Gold Tone in Titusville, Florida.
The Gold Tone OT-800/L is a left-handed old time tubaphone-style open back banjo. 32-hole tubaphone tone ring, 1/2-inch maple rim with bracket band, ebony fingerboard with scoop, no-knot tailpiece, Remo Renaissance head, GT Master planetary tuners, dual coordinator rods. 8 lbs. Professionally set up at Banjo Warehouse in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Hardshell case included.