Gold Tone OT-800LN Mastertone Old Time Tubaphone-Style Banjo with Case

If you play clawhammer, frailing, or any style rooted in the old-time tradition, the Gold Tone OT-800LN open-back banjo Long-Neck deserves your serious attention. This instrument is built as a direct homage to the Tubaphone-style banjos of the classic period — roughly 1890 to 1930 — when the Boston school of banjo making represented the absolute pinnacle of the craft. The heart of the OT-800LN is its 11-inch, 32-hole Tubaphone-style tone ring: a square-section tube mated to a solid brass rod, all encased in a turned brass sleeve. That combination produces the layered, singing overtones that old-time players chase, and it sits beautifully on an 11-inch three-ply maple rim outfitted with dual coordinator rods so you can dial in action adjustments without pulling the neck. A vintage-style bracket band carries the 24 hooks without drilling holes in the rim — a classic construction detail that pays dividends in both sustain and projection. A Remo Renaissance head, a maple-and-ebony bridge, and a No Knot tailpiece complete a pot assembly that feels genuinely period-correct without sacrificing modern playability.

The maple neck is where the OT-800LN really speaks to the dedicated old-time player. Gold Tone gave it an ebony fingerboard inlaid in an engraved vintage style, 18 frets, and — critically — a scoop at the heel for unrestricted access in the upper register during hard-driving clawhammer passages. The nut is a 1-3/16-inch ZeroGlide, which virtually eliminates open-string friction and keeps the instrument in tune through aggressive right-hand work. GT Master Planetary tuners handle the five-string GDGBD tuning with the smooth, precise feel that players at this level expect. The finish is a rich Vintage Brown high gloss that gives the instrument an authentically aged look without resorting to artificial wear. A deluxe arched-top hard case is included — real protection for a real instrument.

Every OT-800LN receives a professional factory setup at Gold Tone in Titusville, Florida before shipping.

Why Buy From Banjo Warehouse

Banjo Warehouse is an authorized Gold Tone dealer, which means every OT-800LN we sell comes with the full manufacturer warranty and the peace of mind that you are buying a genuine, properly sourced instrument. I have spent more than 45 years in the banjo world — co-owning Watch & Learn in Atlanta since the 1980s, authoring Banjo Primer (consistently rated the number-one beginner banjo method), co-designing the OB-Standard with Gold Tone. When I put a Gold Tone instrument in our catalog, it is because I believe in it, not because a sales rep called. We offer flexible financing through PayPal Pay in 4, Afterpay, and 3, 6, 12, and 24-month payment plans — all with no late fees — so you can get into the instrument that is right for you without waiting. Questions? Reach out directly; we are happy to talk old-time banjos all day.

Gold Tone OT-800LN Specifications

Scale Length	26-3/16″
Nut Width	1-3/16″ ZeroGlide Nut
Neck Material	Maple
Fingerboard	Ebony with Heel Scoop
Frets	18
Inlay	Old Time Engraved Vintage Style
Truss Rod	Two-Way Adjustable
Headstock Buttons	C-Style
Tuners	GT Master Planetary
Rim	11″ 3-Ply Maple Tubaphone-Style with Bracket Band
Tone Ring	11″ 32-Hole Tubaphone-Style (Square-Section Tube, Solid Brass Rod, Turned Brass Sleeve)
Coordinator Rods	Dual 11″
Head	11″ Remo HC Renaissance
Tension Hoop	11″ Notched
Brackets	24
Bridge	Maple with Ebony Cap
Tailpiece	No Knot
Armrest	Vintage-Style
Binding	White ABS
Finish	Vintage Brown / High Gloss
Hardware	Chrome Plated
Tuning	GDGBD
String Gauge	.010, .024w, .015, .012, .010
Weight	8 lbs.
Case	Deluxe Arched-Top Hard Case Included
Optional Bag	HPBO (Available Separately)

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Tubaphone-style tone ring different from a flathead or archtop ring?

The Tubaphone design uses a square-section brass tube seated on a solid brass rod, all wrapped in a turned brass sleeve. This geometry creates multiple contact points and air columns that generate a richer, more complex overtone series than a simple flathead ring. The result is a warmer, more vocal tone with a longer sustain tail — qualities that are highly prized in old-time and clawhammer playing, where the banjo needs to sing through a mix of fiddles and other acoustic instruments without the punchy, cutting attack associated with bluegrass tone rings.

What is the heel scoop and why does it matter for clawhammer players?

The heel scoop is a relieved cutaway at the junction of the neck and the pot on the bass side of the fingerboard. On a standard neck, the heel blocks easy access above the 15th fret when you are playing with a clawhammer or drop-thumb technique. The scoop removes that material, letting your thumb and fretting fingers reach the upper register comfortably without contorting your hand. If you play a lot of melodic clawhammer or like to explore the full length of the neck, you will notice the difference immediately.

Does the OT-800LN come ready to play, or will I need to set it up when it arrives?

It arrives ready to play. Every instrument receives a professional factory setup at Gold Tone in Titusville, Florida before shipping. You should be able to tune it up and start playing the moment you open the case.

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