Gold Tone PBB/L Paul Beard Signature-Series Resonator Bass Guitar Left-Handed with Case

If you’ve spent any time behind a bass and found yourself wishing for something genuinely different — something with body, warmth, and an acoustic voice that cuts through a room without a PA — then the Gold Tone PBB/L Paul Beard Signature-Series Resonator Bass is worth your full attention. And yes, this is the left-handed version, so southpaw bassists can finally get in on what may be the most distinctive bass instrument on the market today. Gold Tone president Wayne Rogers built the PBB around a simple but ambitious idea: give bass players a real resonator instrument worthy of serious musicians. The result is a mahogany-bodied resophonic bass strung EADG, with a comfortable 32″ scale and a tone that sits somewhere between a vintage upright, a resonator guitar, and something entirely its own. It’s an instrument that will turn heads at any session, stage, or studio.

What sets the PBB apart from any other resonator-inspired bass on the market is the heart of the instrument: a genuine US-made Paul Beard cone and spider bridge. Paul Beard is one of the most respected names in resophonic instrument building, and the components he supplies for the PBB are the same quality parts found in his hand-built guitars that sell for several times the price. The all-mahogany top, back, and sides are bound in cream ABS, and the maple neck carries a rosewood fingerboard — also bound in white celluloid — with 22 frets and clean dot inlays. A ZeroGlide nut at 1-5/8″ gives excellent intonation right off the bat, and the sealed bass-style tuners with metal buttons hold tune reliably. For players who need amplification, a custom humbucking pickup with onboard volume and tone controls lets you plug straight into your rig without sacrificing any of the acoustic character. The tobacco sunburst high-gloss finish looks as serious as it sounds. A hardshell case is included.

Each instrument receives a professional setup at Gold Tone’s factory in Titusville, Florida before it ships to you. The neck relief, action at the nut and spider bridge, intonation, and string height are all dialed in for a comfortable, buzz-free feel right out of the case. You’re not getting a factory-fresh instrument that needs a trip to your local tech — you’re getting one that’s genuinely ready to play.

Why Buy From Banjo Warehouse

Banjo Warehouse is an authorized Gold Tone dealer, which means every instrument we sell comes with full manufacturer warranty support and you’re buying the real thing — not gray-market stock. I’ve been around fretted instruments for more than 45 years, and since co-founding Watch & Learn in Atlanta in the 1980s, I’ve had my hands on more banjos, resonator instruments, and acoustic guitars than I can count. I co-designed the OB-Standard with Gold Tone, and I know their build quality and quality control intimately. When I say the PBB is a serious instrument for a serious bass player, I mean it. We also believe that a great instrument shouldn’t be out of reach because of cash flow, so we offer flexible financing through PayPal Pay in 4, Afterpay, and 3, 6, 12, and 24-month plans — with no late fees. Questions about whether this is the right instrument for you? Reach out. I’m happy to talk it through.

Gold Tone PBB/L Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the PBB/L a true acoustic bass, or do you need to plug it in?

The PBB is genuinely acoustic — the Beard resonator cone gives it real projection that you can hear unplugged in a practice room or small acoustic session. That said, for live performance or recording the onboard humbucking pickup with volume and tone controls makes it easy to run into a bass amp or DI box. Most players use it both ways depending on the context.

How does the 32″ scale feel compared to a standard bass?

A 32″ medium scale is noticeably more comfortable than a full 34″ long-scale bass — string tension is a bit lower, bends are easier, and the frets are slightly closer together, which many players find reduces fatigue during longer sets. It’s a great scale for players with smaller hands or anyone transitioning from guitar. The PBB ships with medium-gauge strings (.045–.100w) that feel right at home on this scale.

Does being left-handed affect anything about how the PBB/L is set up or warrantied?

Not at all. The PBB/L is a purpose-built left-handed instrument from Gold Tone — not a modified right-handed model — so the nut, bridge, tailpiece, and controls are all oriented correctly for left-hand playing. It carries the same full Gold Tone warranty as the right-handed version, and the professional setup at Gold Tone’s factory in Titusville, Florida covers the left-handed configuration exactly as it would any other instrument they ship.

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