Gold Tone PBS-M/L Paul Beard Signature Squareneck Resonator Guitar Left-Handed with Case

I want to be clear right up front: this is the left-handed version of the Gold Tone PBS Paul Beard Signature-Series Squareneck Resonator Guitar, and if you’re a left-handed dobro player, this listing is for you. Finding a left-handed squareneck resonator at this level of quality is genuinely rare, and the Gold Tone PBS-M/L is one of the finest instruments in this price range I’ve come across in over four decades of working with stringed instruments. The mahogany body and neck wear a rich tobacco sunburst high-gloss finish that looks as good as it sounds, and the whole package — including a hardshell case — arrives ready to play lap steel tuning (GBDGBD open G) right out of the box.

What really sets the PBS apart from other resonator guitars in its class is the hardware at its heart: a genuine US-made Paul Beard cone and spider bridge, along with Paul Beard’s signature 6-string tailpiece and his proprietary “open” soundwell design. Paul Beard is one of the most respected names in resonator guitar lutherie, and having his actual components installed — not knock-offs or generic hardware — makes a profound difference in tone. The result is that clear, singing, cutting dobro voice that cuts through a bluegrass band without effort. The rosewood fingerboard has 19 frets with dot inlays, and the ZeroGlide nut (at a comfortable 1-7/8″ width) helps keep the instrument in tune across the entire neck. The sealed guitar-style tuners are smooth and reliable, the cream ABS binding is clean and classic, and the chrome hardware ties it all together. This is a workhorse built to last through years of honkytonks, jam sessions, and stage work.

Each instrument receives a professional setup at Gold Tone’s factory in Titusville, Florida before it ships to you. For a squareneck resonator, that means checking neck relief, verifying the cone is properly seated and resonating freely, setting string height at the spider bridge for optimal tone and playability, and inspecting the nut and tuners. When you receive this instrument, it is ready to play — not just out of a box.

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 factory support. I’ve been in this industry for over 45 years — I co-own Watch & Learn in Atlanta, I wrote Banjo Primer (the number-one rated beginner banjo method), and I co-designed the OB-Standard with Gold Tone — so when I tell you the PBS is a genuinely excellent resonator guitar, that’s coming from real experience, not a sales pitch. We offer flexible financing through PayPal Pay in 4, Afterpay, and 3, 6, 12, and 24-month plans with no late fees, so you can get the instrument you actually want without compromise.

Gold Tone PBS-M/L Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the genuine Beard cone and spider different from generic resonator hardware?

Paul Beard’s cones are manufactured in the US to tighter tolerances than most imported alternatives, and the geometry of his spider bridge is designed specifically to transfer vibration evenly across the cone surface. The practical result is more volume, better sustain, and that distinctive clear, singing tone that serious dobro players listen for. It’s the reason the PBS commands respect at this price point — you’re getting real Beard hardware, not a lookalike.

Is the squareneck resonator hard to learn if I already play guitar?

The squareneck is played in your lap like a steel guitar rather than held against your body, and the strings are raised high off the fingerboard — you use a steel bar rather than fretting with your fingers. It’s a different physical technique than standard guitar, but guitarists often find the chord logic familiar since it’s tuned to open G. I’d recommend starting with some dedicated dobro or lap steel instructional material. The learning curve is real but very rewarding, and the PBS is an instrument that will grow with you as your skills develop.

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