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 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 that comes off for true openback playing. Part of Gold Tone’s Cripple Creek line, in stock in Yellow Springs, and set up twice before it ships. Choose the build pictured here or Gold Tone’s current one at the same price, just say which in your order notes. Gig bag included.
The Gold Tone AC-1 is an award-winning beginner banjo that weighs under four pounds, thanks to its 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. Openback, with a resonator available separately. Ships with a gig bag and a professional setup from the Gold Tone factory, plus free insured US shipping.
The most recommended banjo by banjo teachers. 3-ply violin grade maple rim, Art Deco hardwood inlays, only 4.5 lbs. Handcrafted in Spring Valley, California. $599 with free shipping and professional setup by our banjo tech Tara. Made in the USA. 7-day guarantee.
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-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. 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 HM-25-12 is the twelve-inch High Moon openback: a 12-inch three-ply maple rim and Remo Renaissance head for a deeper, drier old-time voice, with a scooped rosewood fingerboard, 1-3/8 inch Zero Glide nut, Little Mountain armrest and Gold Tone planetary tuners. Ships with a padded gig bag.
On backorder: Gold Tone expects the next batch in one to two months or more.
The Gold Tone Lightup Little Gem Amethyst is a one-of-a-kind see-through banjo ukulele that won Best in Show at Summer NAMM 2018, featuring a clear acrylic rim and resonator with built-in LED lighting in three modes. Tuned GCEA at concert scale, it delivers a surprisingly penetrating, bright tone that makes it as fun to play as it is to look at. A gig bag is included, and every instrument is professionally set up at Gold Tone’s factory in Titusville, FL.
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.
On order from ODE. Our last Magician Fretless sold, and another is on order from ODE's shop in Colorado. Ordering now reserves you the next one to arrive in Yellow Springs, where our banjo tech Tara sets it up before it ships. Lead times vary, so get in touch before you buy and we will tell you where it stands. Your payment is fully refundable at any time before your order ships, for any reason and with no restocking fee.
The ODE Magician Fretless is a 12 inch openback built for clawhammer and old-time: a multi-ply curly maple tone rim, a cherry neck with a fretless ebony fingerboard and a frailing scoop, and a heavy notched brass hoop with 14 brackets. Handcrafted by ODE in the mountains near Boulder, Colorado. Set up by our banjo tech Tara in Yellow Springs before it ships. Padded gig bag included. $1,795 with free shipping.
The Alpha is OME's most affordable openback: a 12 inch maple multi-ply tone rim, a mahogany neck with a scooped rosewood fingerboard, and brass hardware, voiced for clawhammer and old-time. Built to order by OME in Titusville, Florida. Padded gig bag included. $1,695 with free shipping.