Gold Tone PBR-D Paul Beard Signature Roundneck Resonator Guitar with Case

If you’ve spent any time chasing that deep, resonant, country-blues tone that seems to live somewhere between acoustic warmth and metallic shimmer, the Gold Tone PBR-D Paul Beard Signature Roundneck Resonator Guitar is the instrument worth knowing. Paul Beard is one of the most respected names in resonator lutherie, and Gold Tone’s collaboration with him produced something genuinely special: his signature “open” soundwell design paired with a genuine US-made Beard resonator cone and spider bridge. That combination is the heart of this guitar’s voice — rich, complex, and responsive in a way that cheaper resonators simply can’t replicate. The mahogany body and neck add a natural warmth that softens the cone’s brightness just enough, and the tobacco sunburst high-gloss finish makes it as handsome as it sounds. Whether you’re playing Robert Johnson arrangements, Piedmont-style fingerpicking, or working through your own instrumental ideas, the PBR-D gives you a professional-grade platform that won’t fight you.

The details here reflect real craft. The 1-3/4″ ZeroGlide nut keeps intonation accurate from the first fret and makes the action feel easy under your fingers — important for resonator guitars, which can sometimes run stiff. The sealed guitar-style tuners hold pitch reliably, the rosewood fingerboard plays comfortably across all 19 frets, and a two-way adjustable truss rod means the neck can be dialed in properly for any climate or string gauge preference. The Paul Beard 6-string tailpiece rounds things out with hardware that’s purpose-built for this style of instrument rather than adapted from generic parts. Chrome plating and cream ABS binding give the whole package a clean, classic look that fits equally well on a festival stage or a front porch. A hardshell case is included — not an afterthought bag, a real case — which tells you something about how Gold Tone thinks about protecting this instrument.

Every instrument receives a professional factory setup at Gold Tone in Titusville, Florida before it ships. The action, intonation, nut slots, and overall playability of every instrument is evaluated — and no guitar is shipped unless it plays the way it should. On a resonator guitar like this, that setup work matters enormously: a well-set cone height and properly cut nut can be the difference between an instrument that sings and one that just sits there. You’ll receive a guitar that’s ready to play at a high level from the moment you open the case.

Why Buy From Banjo Warehouse

Banjo Warehouse is an authorized Gold Tone dealer, which means every instrument we sell comes with the full manufacturer’s warranty and the assurance that you’re getting a genuine, properly sourced product. I’ve been in this industry for more than 45 years — I co-own Watch & Learn in Atlanta, wrote Banjo Primer (still the top-rated beginner banjo method on the market), and co-designed the OB-Standard with Gold Tone — so when I say I stand behind the instruments we carry, that’s not a marketing line. I know these instruments deeply, and I only stock what I’d recommend to a student or a professional without hesitation. If you have questions about whether the PBR-D is the right resonator for where you are in your playing, reach out — I’m happy to talk through it. We also make it easy to get into a quality instrument without financial strain: financing is available through PayPal Pay in 4, Afterpay, and 3, 6, 12, or 24-month plans, all with no late fees.

Gold Tone PBR-D Specifications

Body Top	Mahogany
Back & Sides	Mahogany
Neck Material	Mahogany
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Frets	19
Inlay	Dot
Nut Width	1-3/4″ ZeroGlide Nut
Truss Rod	Two-Way Adjustable
Tuners	Sealed Guitar-Style
Headstock Buttons	Metal
Cone & Spider	Genuine US-Made Beard
Bridge	Maple with Ebony Insert
Tailpiece	Paul Beard 6-String
Binding	Cream ABS
Finish	Tobacco Sunburst / High Gloss
Hardware	Chrome Plated
Scale Length	25″
Weight	6.2 lbs.
String Gauge	.056w, .045w, .035w, .024w, .016, .012
Tuning	EADGBE (Standard)
Case	Hardshell Case Included

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the PBR-D suitable for both slide and standard fingerstyle playing?

Yes — as a roundneck resonator, the PBR-D is designed to be played in standard guitar position, making it equally at home for fingerstyle country blues, Piedmont picking, or slide playing with a standard guitar slide worn on your finger. If you want lap-steel style playing with a heavy bar, you’d want a squareneck resonator instead. The 1-3/4″ ZeroGlide nut and 25″ scale length give this guitar a comfortable, familiar feel for anyone coming from a standard acoustic guitar background.

What makes the Beard cone and soundwell design different from a standard resonator?

Paul Beard’s “open” soundwell design allows the cone to vibrate more freely than in a traditional closed resonator construction, which contributes to greater volume, improved sustain, and a more nuanced tonal response — more of that sweet interaction between the wooden body and the metal cone. Combined with a genuine US-made Beard cone and spider bridge (rather than imported alternatives), the result is a resonator voice with more complexity and dynamic range. It’s one of the reasons players who’ve tried a lot of resonators tend to come back to Beard-equipped instruments.

Does this guitar come with a case?

Yes, a hardshell case is included with the Gold Tone PBR-D. This is not an optional add-on — every PBR-D ships with the case included at no extra charge, which is a meaningful value at this price point and ensures your instrument is properly protected from day one.

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