Gold Tone OB-12 Top Tension | Greg Rich Design
$ 3,499.99
PRE-ORDER: Greg Rich’s first Gold Tone design. Pre-war formula flathead tone ring, walnut construction, top tension rim, Prucha Presto tailpiece. Setup by our banjo tech Tara. First 3 pre-orders receive a signed Greg Rich banjo head. Ships when available.
In stock
Gold Tone OB-12 Top Tension Banjo — Greg Rich Design, Pre-War Styling, Walnut Construction
The Gold Tone OB-12 Top Tension is Greg Rich’s first design since joining Gold Tone — a faithful tribute to the famous Gibson Mastertone Top Tensions of the late 1930s with a pre-war formula brass flathead tone ring, hand-selected walnut construction, and original-style top tension design. These banjos were renowned for their weight, mass, and aggressive cut that standard builds simply cannot replicate. 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: OB-12 Top Tension Demo
Why the OB-12 Top Tension?
The man who defined the “golden era” of modern banjos is back at the drawing board. Greg Rich is the legendary designer behind Gibson’s and Recording King’s most celebrated modern banjos — his designs have been played by some of the biggest names in bluegrass. Now at Gold Tone, he’s bringing that expertise to a new generation of instruments, and the OB-12 is his flagship statement.
Top tension banjos from the late 1930s are among the most sought-after instruments in bluegrass. The OB-12 faithfully recreates their massive sustain and uncompromising volume in a modern build.
Designed with Input from Banjo Warehouse
Gold Tone credits Geoff Hohwald of Banjo Warehouse for providing the vintage Mastertones used in modeling the OB-12. With over 50 years of experience and one of the largest vintage banjo inventories in the country, Geoff’s expertise helped shape this instrument from the ground up.
The Tone Ring
At the heart of the OB-12 is the pre-war formula brass flathead tone ring — the sound players have been chasing for decades. The original-style top tension design delivers massive sustain and the aggressive cut that standard builds simply cannot replicate.
In short: the OB-12 Top Tension delivers authentic pre-war tone ring sound in a modern Greg Rich design — walnut construction, one-piece cast flange, Prucha Presto tailpiece, hardshell case included, professional setup by our banjo tech Tara.
The Construction
Hand-selected walnut neck and matching carved resonator. Walnut sits perfectly between mahogany and maple — delivering warmth without sacrificing clarity. The original-style carved resonator provides the correct internal air chamber geometry for maximum projection.
3-ply maple rim with one-piece cast flange. 12″ radiused rosewood fingerboard with Art Deco Style 12 inlays and new vintage script logo on the headstock. Gotoh pearloid planetary tuners. Prucha Presto tailpiece for premium string energy transfer. Custom top tension armrest contoured to cover tension bolts for smooth playing. Bone nut at 1 1/4″ width.
What’s Included
Hardshell case. 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. We already have one pre-order in!
Call Geoff directly at (404) 218-8580 with any questions.
Specifications
| Neck | |
|---|---|
| Wood | Hand-Selected Walnut |
| Fingerboard | 12″ Radiused Rosewood |
| Inlays | Art Deco Style 12 |
| Nut | Bone, 1 1/4″ |
| Tuners | Gotoh Pearloid Planetary |
| Scale Length | 26 1/4″ |
| Pot | |
|---|---|
| Rim | 11″ 3-Ply Maple |
| Tone Ring | Pre-War Formula Brass Flathead |
| Tension Hoop | 11″ Original Top Tension Style |
| Flange | One-Piece Cast |
| Hardware | Nickel Plated |
| Armrest | Custom Top Tension (contoured) |
| Tailpiece | Prucha Presto |
| Resonator | |
|---|---|
| Wood | Hand-Selected Walnut (Carved) |
| Diameter | 14″ |
| Finish | Vintage Brown High Gloss |
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Designer | Greg Rich |
| Case | Hardshell 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, is the author of The Banjo Primer, and provided the vintage Mastertones used in modeling the OB-12. Every banjo ships with a professional setup by our banjo tech Tara and free shipping anywhere in the United States.
Want to know when new banjos arrive? Join our email list →
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a top tension banjo?
A top tension banjo is a design where the head tension is adjusted from the top of the banjo rather than from underneath. Gibson produced top tension Mastertones in the late 1930s, and these instruments are among the most sought-after banjos in bluegrass due to their massive sustain, aggressive cut, and uncompromising volume. The OB-12 is a faithful tribute to this design.
Who is Greg Rich?
Greg Rich is the legendary banjo designer behind Gibson’s and Recording King’s most celebrated modern banjos. His designs have been played by some of the biggest names in bluegrass. The OB-12 Top Tension is his first design since joining Gold Tone — and his flagship statement for the company.
Why walnut instead of maple or mahogany?
Walnut sits perfectly between mahogany and maple — delivering warmth without sacrificing clarity. For a top tension design that’s already known for aggressive cut, walnut provides tonal balance while maintaining projection. The hand-selected walnut neck and carved resonator on the OB-12 showcase the wood’s natural beauty.
What is the Prucha Presto tailpiece?
The Prucha Presto tailpiece is a premium tailpiece designed for optimal string energy transfer. It’s found on high-end banjos and contributes to the OB-12’s sustain and responsiveness.
Does the OB-12 come with a case?
Yes. The OB-12 comes with a hardshell case included. When purchased from Banjo Warehouse, it also ships with a professional setup by our banjo tech Tara and free shipping.
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.
Follow Banjo Warehouse:
- Facebook – Join our community
- Reverb – Shop our listings
- eBay – Find rare instruments
- YouTube – Watch demos and lessons
Want to visit? Call Geoff to schedule an appointment at our Yellow Springs, OH or Atlanta, GA locations.
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