Gold Tone BG-175F Bluegrass Banjo — Flying Eagle Inlays, Mastertone Style, Under $1,000
The Gold Tone BG-175F is a Mastertone-style bluegrass banjo with Flying Eagle mother-of-pearl inlays, a rolled brass flat bar tone ring, and mahogany construction — all for under $1,000. Designed with input from Greg Rich and built around an 11″ multi-ply maple rim. At 8.5 lbs, it’s one of the lightest resonator banjos available at any price point. Pre-order now from Banjo Warehouse in Yellow Springs, Ohio.
PRE-ORDER NOW — Ships when available from Gold Tone.
🪕 BONUS: The first 3 customers to pre-order receive a signed Greg Rich banjo head!
Every Gold Tone we sell receives a professional setup by our banjo tech Tara before shipping. Your banjo arrives ready to play.
Call Geoff directly at (404) 218-8580 with any questions.
Watch: BG-175F Demo
Why the BG-175F?
Flying Eagle inlays. Mastertone styling. Under $1,000. The Gold Tone BG-175F delivers classic Mastertone-inspired bluegrass tone in a lightweight, comfortable package — designed with input from Greg Rich and priced for working musicians.
The vintage Flying Eagle inlay pattern, high-gloss Vintage Brown finish, and nickel-plated hardware give the BG-175F a timeless look rooted in classic banjo tradition. This is the aesthetic of a banjo that costs twice as much.
The Tone Ring
Built around an 11″ multi-ply maple rim and a rolled brass flat bar tone ring, this banjo produces a clear, focused sound with strong note separation and balanced projection — ideal for traditional bluegrass styles. A mahogany neck and resonator contribute warmth and depth.
In short: the BG-175F delivers Flying Eagle looks and Mastertone-style tone for under $1,000 — Greg Rich design, 8.5 lbs lightweight, professional setup by our banjo tech Tara included.
Lightweight Design
The flat flange design keeps overall weight at just 8.5 lbs — one of the lightest resonator banjos you’ll find at any price point. Comfortable for long playing sessions and easy to transport.
What’s Included
Padded gig bag. Professional setup by our banjo tech Tara. Free shipping anywhere in the United States.
Financing available: PayPal Pay in 4 on our website. Need more options? Reverb offers Affirm, eBay offers Klarna.
Pre-order now. Full payment reserves your banjo. Ships as soon as it arrives from Gold Tone.
Call Geoff directly at (404) 218-8580 with any questions.
Specifications
| Neck | |
|---|---|
| Wood | Mahogany |
| Fingerboard | Rosewood |
| Inlays | Flying Eagle Mother-of-Pearl |
| Nut | ZeroGlide, 1 3/16″ |
| Tuners | GT Planetary |
| Scale Length | 26 1/4″ |
| Pot | |
|---|---|
| Rim | 11″ Multi-Ply Maple |
| Tone Ring | Rolled Brass Flat Bar |
| Tension Hoop | 11″ Notched (24 Brackets) |
| Flange | Flat Flange |
| Hardware | Nickel Plated |
| Tailpiece | Presto |
| Resonator | |
|---|---|
| Wood | Mahogany |
| Diameter | 14″ |
| Finish | Vintage Brown High Gloss |
| Dimensions & Details | |
|---|---|
| Weight | 8.5 lbs |
| Designer | Greg Rich |
| Case | Padded Gig Bag Included |
Why Buy from Banjo Warehouse?
Banjo Warehouse is located in Yellow Springs, Ohio with additional operations in Atlanta, Georgia. Owner Geoff Hohwald has over 50 years in the banjo business and is the author of The Banjo Primer. Every banjo ships with a professional setup by our banjo tech Tara and free shipping anywhere in the United States.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Gold Tone BG-175F?
The Gold Tone BG-175F is a Mastertone-style bluegrass resonator banjo with Flying Eagle mother-of-pearl inlays, a rolled brass flat bar tone ring, and mahogany neck and resonator. Designed with input from Greg Rich, it delivers classic styling and tone for under $1,000.
What are Flying Eagle inlays?
Flying Eagle inlays are a classic mother-of-pearl fingerboard pattern traditionally found on high-end prewar Gibson Mastertone banjos. The BG-175F brings this vintage aesthetic to a modern, affordable instrument.
Who is Greg Rich?
Greg Rich is a banjo designer and luthier who has collaborated with Gold Tone on multiple banjo designs. He’s known for creating instruments that deliver professional-level playability and aesthetics at accessible price points. The BG-175F is one of his designs for Gold Tone.
What type of tone ring does the BG-175F have?
The BG-175F has a rolled brass flat bar tone ring — a design that produces clear, focused tone with strong note separation. Combined with the 11″ multi-ply maple rim, it delivers balanced projection ideal for traditional bluegrass styles.
How heavy is the BG-175F?
The BG-175F weighs 8.5 lbs — one of the lightest resonator banjos available at any price point. The flat flange design keeps weight down while maintaining Mastertone-style looks and tone.
Contact Banjo Warehouse
For detailed descriptions or to chat about banjos, call Geoff Hohwald at (404) 218-8580.
Email us anytime at thebanjowarehouse@gmail.com.
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Want to visit? Call Geoff to schedule an appointment at our Yellow Springs, OH or Atlanta, GA locations.





























