Gold Tone Mastertone™ OB-2+ Bowtie Banjo with JLS Tone Ring and Case
$ 2,599.99
Banjo Warehouse exclusive! The Gold Tone OB-2+ is a faithful tribute to the classic 1960s Mastertone bowtie banjos, featuring a JLS 19-hole bell brass flathead tone ring, mahogany neck and resonator in golden sunburst, ebony fingerboard with iconic bowtie inlays, Gotoh planetary tuners, and Dotson bridge. Hardshell case included.
In stock
If you know the history of bluegrass banjo, you know the bowtie Mastertones from the early 1960s occupy a special place. These weren’t the pre-war Gibsons that everyone chases today—they were the professional-grade instruments that serious pickers actually bought new and gigged with for decades. The OB-2+ is Gold Tone’s tribute to that golden era, and a Banjo Warehouse exclusive with the upgraded JLS tone ring, it’s delivering tone that rivals instruments costing twice as much.
Marc Horowitz tells the story best: he bought his first bowtie Mastertone in 1963 as a high school junior, and even after decades of playing everything from pre-war Gibsons to modern customs, he went back and found a mint ’63 bowtie. After setting it up properly, he was blown away. Those early sixties bowties—built in Kalamazoo by craftsmen who’d been there since the thirties, with tone rings from the same foundry that cast the pre-war versions—have a magic to them that’s unmistakable.
The OB-2+ captures that magic with meticulous attention to the details that matter. The JLS 19-hole bell brass flathead tone ring is the heart of this banjo, delivering that punchy, articulate voice with singing sustain that the original bowtie Mastertones were known for. The three-ply maple rim and one-piece cast flange provide the foundation, while the mahogany neck and 14-inch mahogany resonator add warmth and depth to the overall voice.
Gold Tone got the aesthetics right too. That golden sunburst finish on the resonator is gorgeous—the kind of look that turns heads at any jam. The ebony fingerboard hosts the iconic bowtie pearl inlays that gave these banjos their name, and the whole package is bound in cream ABS that pops against the dark wood.
The hardware package is thoroughly modern and professional. Gotoh planetary tuners with custom pearloid buttons provide smooth, precise tuning. The Presto-style tailpiece and 5/8″ Dotson bridge are ready for serious playing right out of the case. Dual coordinator rods allow precise neck angle adjustment, and the two-way adjustable truss rod means you can dial in exactly the action you want.
At 13 pounds, this is a substantial instrument that feels solid and balanced. The 26-1/4″ scale length and 1-1/4″ bone nut provide familiar dimensions for any bluegrass player. Hardshell case is included.
Specifications:
Scale Length: 26-1/4″ Nut Width: 1-1/4″ (Bone) Neck: Mahogany with two-way adjustable truss rod Fingerboard: Ebony with 22 frets Inlays: Gold Tone Bowtie (pearl) Resonator: 14″ Mahogany Finish: Golden Sunburst Rim: 11″ 3-Ply Maple Tone Ring: JLS 11″ Flat Top, 19-Hole, Bell Brass Flange: One-Piece Cast Hardware: Nickel Plated Tension Hoop: 11″ Notched Brackets: 24 Head: 11″ Remo HC Coated Topside Bridge: 5/8″ Dotson Tailpiece: Presto Style Armrest: Plain Coordinator Rods: Dual 11″ Tuners: Gotoh Planetary with Custom Buttons Binding: Cream ABS Strings: .009, .011, .013, .022w, .009 Tuning: GDGBD Weight: 13 lbs. Includes: Hardshell case
All Gold Tone instruments are set up in Titusville, FL, USA.
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