Gold Tone OB-Grandee Orange Blossom Grandee Banjo with Case

The Gold Tone OB-Grandee is Gold Tone’s tribute to the Gibson Granada, the holy grail of pre-war banjos. It is the top of the Orange Blossom Mastertone series and the most ornate production banjo Gold Tone makes. Banjo Warehouse is an authorized Gold Tone dealer in Yellow Springs, Ohio, and every OB-Grandee we sell is inspected and set up by our banjo tech Tara before it ships. Tara trained at the Huber Banjo factory in Hendersonville, Tennessee under Steve Huber and Bennie Boling. $3,199.99 with hardshell case included.

What Makes the OB-Grandee Special

Everything about this banjo is designed to evoke the Granada-style instruments that have become some of the most sought-after banjos ever made. Gold-plated and engraved hardware throughout, including a Grandee-engraved armrest and a Grandee-engraved notched tension hoop. Hearts and Flowers mother-of-pearl inlay on an ebony fingerboard. A curly maple neck and a 14-inch maple resonator with a vintage brown high-gloss finish. Cream ABS binding on the neck and resonator.

Under all of that visual beauty is the same professional-grade construction as the rest of the Orange Blossom series: an 11-inch 3-ply Canadian maple rim, a 20-hole flat top bell brass sand-cast tone ring, a one-piece cast flange, dual 11-inch coordinator rods, and 24 brackets. This is the foundation that produces the crisp attack, bright sustain, and forward projection that bluegrass players demand.

Premium Hardware and Appointments

The OB-Grandee goes beyond the standard Orange Blossom hardware package. It comes equipped with a Prucha clamshell tailpiece rather than the Terminator tailpiece found on other models. Gotoh planetary tuners with C-Style buttons provide smooth, precise tuning. The bridge is a 5/8-inch Dotson. The two-way adjustable truss rod, bone nut at 1-1/4 inches, and 22 frets on ebony give you professional playability to match the professional tone.

Watch: Geoff Hohwald Plays the Gold Tone OB-Grandee

Geoff Hohwald, owner of Banjo Warehouse and author of The Banjo Primer, demonstrates the Gold Tone OB-Grandee. Listen for the bell brass tone ring’s bright attack and forward projection that make this banjo a worthy tribute to the pre-war Gibson Granada.

Why Buy From Banjo Warehouse

Banjo Warehouse has been an authorized Gold Tone dealer since Wayne Rogers founded the company. Geoff Hohwald, our owner, collaborated directly with Gold Tone and designer Greg Rich on the development of the OB-12, OB-Standard, and other models. When you buy a Gold Tone from us, you are buying from people who know these instruments inside and out.

Every OB-Grandee we sell is professionally set up by our banjo tech Tara before it ships. Tara trained at the Huber Banjo factory under Steve Huber and Bennie Boling. Gold Tone also sets up every OB-Grandee at their factory in Titusville, Florida. That means your banjo has been through two professional setups before it reaches you. Hardshell case included.

Financing available: PayPal Pay in 4 on all orders. Afterpay available for instruments under $4,000 with options for 4 interest-free payments or 3, 6, 12, or 24 month plans with no late fees.

Want to know when new banjos arrive? Join our email list for weekly lessons, new arrivals, and exclusive deals from Banjo Warehouse.