Gold Tone PBS Paul Beard Signature-Series Squareneck Resonator Guitar with Case

There are resonator guitars, and then there is the Gold Tone PBS — and the difference is right there inside the body before you even play a note. Gold Tone partnered with Paul Beard, one of the most respected resonator builders in the world, to spec this instrument with a genuine US-made Beard cone, spider bridge, and six-string tailpiece. That’s not a marketing detail — that’s the heart of the instrument, and it’s the reason the PBS sounds and responds like something that costs two or three times more. Paul’s signature “open” soundwell design lets the cone breathe freely, producing the clear, singing, focused tone that serious Dobro players live for. Add a mahogany body and neck finished in a rich tobacco sunburst high-gloss finish, cream ABS binding, and a ZeroGlide 1-7/8″ nut, and you have a squareneck that is genuinely ready for the stage on day one.

The PBS is tuned to open G (GBDGBD) with a 25″ scale length, giving you all the real estate you need for expressive slide work across 19 rosewood frets. The mahogany back, sides, and top deliver a warm, woody voice with excellent projection — it cuts through a jam without being shrill, and it records beautifully. Chrome-plated hardware keeps things clean and classic, while the sealed guitar-style tuners hold pitch reliably under gigging conditions. At 5.5 lbs this guitar sits comfortably on your lap for long picking sessions. A two-way adjustable truss rod means the neck can be dialed in properly regardless of where you live or where you travel. This is a bluegrass stalwart built for honkytonks, festival stages, and late-night jam sessions — and it ships with a hardshell case so it’s protected the moment it leaves our hands.

Each instrument receives a professional setup at Gold Tone’s factory in Titusville, Florida before it ships to you. The setup includes action optimization at the nut and saddle, cone seating and spider contact inspection, neck relief verification, fret polishing, and a full playability check across the entire neck. This is a real professional setup — not a quick once-over — and it makes a meaningful difference in how the guitar feels and sounds when you first pick it up.

Why Buy From Banjo Warehouse

Banjo Warehouse is an authorized Gold Tone dealer, which means your PBS comes with full manufacturer warranty support and you’re buying a genuine instrument — not a gray-market or diverted unit. I’ve been in the fretted instrument business for more than 45 years. I co-owned Watch & Learn in Atlanta starting in the 1980s, wrote Banjo Primer (consistently rated the number one beginner banjo method), and co-designed the Gold Tone OB-Standard — so when I tell you the Beard hardware on this instrument is the real differentiator, that’s not a sales pitch, it’s experience talking. We carry the Gold Tone PBS because it genuinely delivers at this price point. Financing is available through PayPal Pay in 4, Afterpay, and 3, 6, 12, or 24-month plans with no late fees — so you can get the right instrument now and pay on a schedule that works for you.

Gold Tone PBS Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Beard cone and spider different from standard resonator components?

Paul Beard’s cones and spider bridges are made in the USA to tight tolerances and are the same components used in his high-end custom resonator guitars. The cone material, thickness, and shape are engineered specifically for projection and clarity, and the spider’s contact geometry is optimized so the bridge transfers vibration evenly across the cone surface. Most production resonator guitars at this price use imported cones — having a genuine Beard cone in the PBS is a significant step up in tone and responsiveness that you’ll notice immediately.

Is the PBS suitable for a beginner to slide/Dobro playing, or is it more of an intermediate instrument?

The PBS is genuinely accessible to a motivated beginner who is committed to lap-style resonator playing, but it will serve you just as well as your playing advances to a professional level. The ZeroGlide nut, properly set up action, and quality hardware mean there are no frustrating playability barriers holding you back while you’re learning. If you’re brand new to the squareneck style I’d suggest picking up a good instructional method alongside it — but the instrument itself will not be the limiting factor in your progress.

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