Gold Tone OB-250LW Orange Blossom Lightweight Banjo with Case
$ 1,399.99
The Gold Tone OB-250LW Lightweight is a professional-grade flathead banjo built to evoke the legendary prewar sound that drove Earl Scruggs, Don Reno, and J.D. Crowe — featuring a sand-cast bell brass flathead tone ring, one-piece cast flange, and an extra-deep curly maple resonator. Every OB-250LW ships with a professional factory setup from Gold Tone in Titusville, Florida. A hard shell case is included, and flexible financing is available.
In stock
If you’ve spent any time chasing that deep, warm, authoritative flathead tone — the kind that powered Earl Scruggs through the golden era of bluegrass, the kind Don Reno and J.D. Crowe leaned on night after night — you already know what makes the Gold Tone OB-250LW special before you ever pick it up. The LW designation stands for Lightweight — this version of the OB-250 uses a lighter rim construction that brings the total weight down significantly compared to the standard OB-250, without sacrificing the flathead tone ring, flange, or resonator that define the Orange Blossom voice. The Orange Blossom line goes back to Gold Tone’s earliest days, and it’s no accident these banjos have stayed in continuous production: they deliver a genuinely professional instrument at a price that used to be impossible. I’ve been playing and selling banjos for more than 45 years, and when I helped co-design the OB-Standard with Gold Tone, I came away with a deep respect for what this factory is capable of. The OB-250LW sits at the top of that tradition.
The heart of the OB-250LW’s sound is a sand-cast bell brass flathead tone ring — the same design philosophy that defined those great Midwest-made prewar banjos. It sits inside an 11-inch three-ply maple rim flanked by dual 11-inch coordinator rods for maximum rigidity and sustain. The one-piece cast resonator flange is a detail you typically see on instruments costing twice this price, and the extra-deep 14-inch flame maple multi-ply resonator is specifically engineered to push more low-end response into the room. The curly maple neck carries a bound ebony fingerboard with the classic hearts-and-flowers inlay pattern, and the 24 bracket hooks use metric threading so you can dial in head tension with more precision than standard hooks allow. Gotoh planetary tuners, a ZeroGlide nut, and a Terminator tailpiece round out a hardware package that is ready for serious playing right out of the case.
Each instrument receives a professional setup at Gold Tone’s factory in Titusville, Florida before it ships to you. The goal is simple: when your banjo arrives, it plays the way it’s supposed to play, and you can focus on music from the first note.
Why Buy From Banjo Warehouse
Banjo Warehouse is an authorized Gold Tone dealer, which means every OB-250LW we sell is fully covered by Gold Tone’s manufacturer warranty and backed by our own service and support team in Yellow Springs, Ohio. I’ve been in this industry since the late 1970s — co-owning Watch & Learn in Atlanta, writing Banjo Primer (still the top-rated beginner banjo method on the market). That background means when you call or email us with a question about this instrument, you’re talking to people who actually understand what you’re asking. We want you to end up on the right banjo, not just any banjo. Financing is available through PayPal Pay in 4, Afterpay, and 3, 6, 12, or 24-month plans — all with no late fees — so you don’t have to compromise on the instrument you really want.
Gold Tone OB-250LW Specifications
| Nut Width | 1-3/16″ ZeroGlide Nut |
| Tuners | Gotoh Planetary |
| Headstock Buttons | C-Style |
| Neck Material | Maple (Curly) |
| Fingerboard | Ebony |
| Frets | 22 |
| Inlay | Hearts & Flowers |
| Truss Rod | Two-Way Adjustable |
| Scale Length | 26-3/16″ |
| Rim | 11″ 3-Ply Maple |
| Tone Ring | 11″ Flat Top – 20 Hole – Sand-Cast Bell Brass |
| Flange | One-Piece Cast |
| Coordinator Rods | Dual 11″ |
| Resonator | 14″ Extra-Deep Flame Maple Multi-Ply |
| Head | 11″ Remo HC Coated Topside |
| Bridge | Maple with Ebony Cap |
| Tailpiece | Terminator |
| Tension Hoop | 11″ Notched |
| Brackets | 24 (Metric Threading) |
| Binding | Wood |
| Armrest | Fits All GT Engraved |
| Hardware Finish | Chrome Plated |
| Body Finish | Vintage Brown / High Gloss |
| String Gauge | .009, .020w, .013, .011, .009 |
| Tuning | G D G B D |
| Weight | 10.5 lbs. |
| Case | Hard Shell Case Included |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the OB-250LW compare to higher-end flathead banjos — is it really a professional instrument?
Yes, without qualification. The sand-cast bell brass flathead tone ring, one-piece cast flange, ebony fingerboard, and extra-deep flame maple resonator are not budget compromises — they’re the same design elements found on instruments that cost significantly more. I’ve played a lot of banjos over 45 years, and the OB-250LW holds its own on a stage. The professional factory setup at Gold Tone in Titusville, Florida ensures the instrument arrives performing at its full potential rather than requiring additional work to get there.
Does the OB-250LW come with a case, and what type?
Yes, a hard shell case is included with every OB-250LW at no additional charge. It’s a proper protective case, not a gig bag — appropriate for an instrument at this level. If you’d prefer a heavy-duty padded bag instead, Gold Tone’s HPB is also available as an option; just reach out and we can discuss what works best for how you plan to travel with the banjo.
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