Gold Tone HM-100A High Moon Handcrafted Openback Banjo with Case

There are factory banjos, there are boutique banjos, and then there is the Gold Tone HM-100A High Moon — a category of its own. This instrument was conceived entirely by hand by Chris Pariso, Gold Tone’s longtime shop luthier and in-house banjo visionary who has been part of the Gold Tone family since 1995. Chris had a hand in developing models like the BC-350, OT-800, OB-Bela, and CEB-4/5, and has custom-built thousands of banjos out of Gold Tone’s Titusville, Florida shop. The High Moon began as a personal exploration — no CNC machines, no production templates — just one skilled builder experimenting with hardware, finishes, and construction methods until the banjo earned its own identity. When enough people heard it and wanted one, Gold Tone knew it had to put it into production. That origin story matters, because you can feel it in every detail of this instrument.

The tonal character of the High Moon is shaped by a thoughtful combination of materials that Chris refined through years of iteration. A mahogany neck pairs with an ebony fingerboard for a warm, responsive feel under the fingers, and the dot-and-moon inlay gives the fretboard a quietly elegant look without being flashy. The 12″ 3-ply maple rim carries a rolled brass flat bar tone ring — a choice that softens the high-end brightness you’d get from a heavier ring and lets the natural wood voice of the instrument breathe through. The 12″ Remo MC Renaissance head reinforces that warmer, more organic character that old-time players live for. Little Mountain maple binding and armrest, a Crescent tailpiece, a ZeroGlide nut at 1-3/8″, and GT Master Planetary tuners round out a build that is both aesthetically cohesive and functionally excellent. This is a serious old-time openback banjo that plays beautifully and looks unlike anything else in Gold Tone’s lineup.

Every High Moon receives a professional factory setup at Gold Tone in Titusville, Florida before it ships. The action at the nut and bridge is checked and adjusted, the neck relief is evaluated, the head tension is seated properly for the tone ring, and the ZeroGlide nut is slotted cleanly for smooth tuning. By the time the High Moon reaches your door, it is genuinely ready to play — not just out of the box, but dialed in.

Why Buy From Banjo Warehouse

Banjo Warehouse is an authorized Gold Tone dealer, which means every HM-100A we sell carries the full manufacturer warranty and comes through a legitimate supply chain. I have been in this industry for more than 45 years — I co-own Watch & Learn in Atlanta, wrote Banjo Primer (still the top-rated beginner banjo method), and co-designed the OB-Standard with Gold Tone — so when I say this instrument is worth your attention, I mean it from experience, not from a sales sheet. We sell Gold Tone because we know their instruments deeply and trust their quality. Financing is available through PayPal Pay in 4, Afterpay, and 3, 6, 12, or 24-month plans with no late fees, so you can bring the High Moon home on a schedule that works for you.

Gold Tone HM-100A High Moon Specifications

Nut Width	1-3/8″ ZeroGlide Nut
Tuners	GT Master Planetary
Buttons	Cream
Neck Material	Mahogany
Fingerboard	Ebony
Frets	19
Inlay	Dot & Moon
Truss Rod	Two-Way Adjustable
Rim	12″ 3-Ply Maple w/ Faux Dowel
Tone Ring	12″ Rolled Brass Flat Bar
Head	12″ Remo MC Renaissance
Brackets	14
Tension Hoop	12″ Notched
Coordinator Rods	Single Rod w/ Dowel
Bridge	Trillium Bridge
Tailpiece	Crescent Tailpiece
Armrest	Little Mountain Maple
Binding	Maple
Finish	Mahogany Satin
Hardware	Nickel Plated
Scale Length	26-3/16″
Weight	6.5 lbs.
String Gauge	.010, .024w, .015, .012, .010
Tuning	G D G B D
Case	Included
Setup Location	Titusville, FL, USA (Gold Tone)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the High Moon HM-100A well-suited for old-time clawhammer playing, or does it work for other styles too?

The High Moon was designed with old-time sensibilities at its core — the openback construction, Renaissance head, and rolled brass flat bar tone ring all push the sound toward warm, woody, and mid-forward, which is exactly what clawhammer players want. That said, the ebony fingerboard and solid playability make it perfectly comfortable for fingerpicking and melodic playing as well. If your primary style is old-time or you are moving in that direction, this banjo will feel like it was made for you — because in a very real sense, it was.

What does the ZeroGlide nut do, and is it better than a standard nut?

The ZeroGlide nut replaces the traditional slotted bone or synthetic nut with a zero-fret system. The strings pass over a small fret installed at the nut position, which means your open strings have the same tone and feel as fretted notes — a subtle but real improvement in tonal consistency across the neck. It also reduces friction in the nut slots, which helps tuning stability. For a hand-built instrument at this price point, it is a thoughtful detail that reflects Chris Pariso’s attention to every component of the design.

Does the HM-100A come with a case?

Yes — a hard case is included with the HM-100A. An optional HPB gig bag is also available separately if you want a lighter carrying option for certain situations.

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