Gold Tone OB-12 Top Tension | Greg Rich Design | Pre-War Style Walnut Mastertone
$ 3,499.99
PRE-ORDER: Greg Rich’s first Gold Tone design. The OB-12 Top Tension is a faithful tribute to late-1930s Mastertone Top Tensions — walnut construction, pre-war formula flathead tone ring, Prucha Presto tailpiece. First 3 pre-orders receive a signed Greg Rich banjo head. Ships when available.
In stock
PRE-ORDER NOW — Ships when available from Gold Tone
🎁 BONUS: The first 3 customers to pre-order receive a signed Greg Rich “Merry Christmas” banjo head. Christmas in February!
The man who defined the “golden era” of modern banjos is back at the drawing board.
The Gold Tone OB-12 Top Tension is Greg Rich’s first design since joining Gold Tone — a faithful tribute to the famous Mastertone Top Tensions of the late 1930s. These banjos were renowned for their weight, mass, and aggressive cut that standard builds simply cannot replicate.
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 45 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.
Pre-War Styling, Modern Build
At the heart of the OB-12 is a 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.
Key Features
- Pre-War Formula Brass Flathead Tone Ring — the sound you’ve been chasing
- Hand-Selected Walnut neck and resonator
- Original Style Top Tension Design — massive sustain and uncompromising volume
- Custom Top Tension Armrest — contoured to cover tension bolts for smooth playing
- Prucha Presto Tailpiece — premium string energy transfer
- Art Deco Style 12 Inlays
- New Vintage Script Logo on headstock
- 3-Ply Maple Rim with one-piece cast flange
- Gotoh Pearloid Planetary Tuners
- Hardshell Case Included
Specifications
| Designer | Greg Rich |
|---|---|
| Tone Ring | Pre-War Formula Brass Flathead |
| Neck | Hand-Selected Walnut |
| Resonator | 14″ Original Style Carved Walnut |
| Rim | 11″ 3-Ply Maple |
| Flange | One-Piece Cast |
| Tailpiece | Prucha Presto |
| Tension Hoop | 11″ Original Top Tension Style |
| Fingerboard | 12″ Radiused Rosewood |
| Inlays | Art Deco Style 12 |
| Nut Width | 1-1/4″ Bone |
| Scale Length | 26-1/4″ |
| Tuners | Gotoh Pearloid Planetary |
| Hardware | Nickel Plated |
| Finish | Vintage Brown / High Gloss |
| Case | Included |
About Greg Rich
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, Greg is bringing that same expertise to a new generation of instruments — and the OB-12 is his flagship statement.
Pre-Order Details
This is a pre-order item. Full payment reserves your banjo. Ships as soon as it arrives from Gold Tone. We already have one pre-order in!
Questions? Call Geoff at 404-218-8580.
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