Gold Tone HM-25 High Moon 11″ Openback Banjo with Padded Bag

If you’ve been eyeing the Gold Tone HM-100 but want something a little easier on the wallet and a little more portable on the trail, the HM-25 High Moon 11″ Openback is the answer. This is Gold Tone’s latest entry in the High Moon series, and it carries the same essential DNA, the character, the warmth, the old-time aesthetic, in a lighter, more compact instrument that clawhammer players will take everywhere. The 11″ rim keeps things trim and easy to carry, and the scooped rosewood fingerboard is a detail clawhammer players will appreciate: that scoop allows your right hand to naturally produce the iconic “cluck” that defines good clawhammer technique without fighting the instrument. This is a banjo designed around how the music is actually played.

Construction here is thoughtful for the price. The three-ply maple rim with a custom dowel rod gives you a stable, resonant foundation, and the wood tone rim (rather than a heavy metal tone ring) keeps the voice open and dry in exactly the way old-time music calls for. The 11″ Remo Renaissance head is a proven choice for clawhammer: smooth response, consistent tone across the seasons. Mahogany neck and satin finish give the whole instrument a classic, understated look, complemented by the dot-and-moon fingerboard inlays that nod to the High Moon heritage. GT planetary tuners hold tuning reliably, and the ZeroGlide nut at 1-3/8″ width makes for clean open-string intonation. The Little Mountain armrest, crescent tailpiece, and nickel hardware round out a package that punches well above its price point. At 6.5 lbs., it’s genuinely light enough to sling over your shoulder for a long session or a weekend festival.

The HM-25 ships factory-fresh from Gold Tone, where every instrument receives a setup at their Titusville, Florida shop before it leaves. As an authorized Gold Tone dealer, Banjo Warehouse backs every sale with the full manufacturer warranty, and our team is here for setup questions, accessory advice, or anything else before and after your purchase. The included padded gig bag means you’re ready to take it anywhere from day one.

Why Buy From Banjo Warehouse

Banjo Warehouse is an authorized Gold Tone dealer, which means you get the full manufacturer warranty and the confidence that you’re buying a genuine, new instrument, not a gray-market or returned unit. The shop is run by Geoff Hohwald, author of the Banjo Primer and co-designer of the Gold Tone OB-Standard, with over 45 years in the banjo world. We want you to succeed with this instrument, and we’re here if you have questions before or after the sale. Financing is available through PayPal Pay in 4 and 3, 6, 12, or 24-month plans, no late fees, plus Afterpay. There’s no reason to wait to start playing.

Gold Tone HM-25 Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the HM-25 compare to the Gold Tone HM-100?

The HM-100 is Gold Tone’s flagship old-time openback, handcrafted with more premium components throughout. The HM-25 shares the same High Moon character, the scooped fingerboard, the classic aesthetic, the openback voice, in a lighter, more budget-friendly package. The wood tone rim keeps the sound dry and traditional. If you’re drawn to the HM-100 but want something more portable or more affordable as a starter in the series, the HM-25 is a genuinely satisfying instrument in its own right, not just a compromise.

Is the scooped fingerboard important for clawhammer, and will it affect other styles?

The fingerboard scoop is one of the HM-25’s most player-focused features for clawhammer specifically. The scoop, a slight relief cut toward the head end of the fingerboard, allows your right-hand index finger to easily brush down past the head on the down-stroke without catching on the frets, which is exactly how the “cluck” is produced in clawhammer technique. If you’re playing Scruggs-style or three-finger picking, the scoop is a non-issue since your right hand position is different. But for clawhammer and frailing, it makes the instrument feel more natural and forgiving right away.

Want to know when new banjos arrive? Join our email list: Sign up here.