Gold Tone PS-250/L Plectrum Special Banjo with Case (Left-Handed)

This is the left-handed version of the Gold Tone PS-250 Plectrum Special, and I want to be upfront about that right away — if you’re a left-handed player who has been hunting for a serious plectrum banjo built just for you, this is a rare find. The PS-250 reaches back to the late 1920s and early 1930s for its inspiration, channeling the warm, powerful voice of the classic jazz banjo era into a modern instrument that holds up to real playing. At the heart of the pot is an 11″ bell brass flat-top tone ring paired with a one-piece flange and a 14″ mahogany resonator — a combination that gives this banjo a rich, full-bodied projection that commands attention whether you’re sitting in with a Dixieland group or working through solo chord-melody arrangements. The 22-fret neck offers a comfortable 26-3/16″ scale and a 1-3/16″ ZeroGlide nut width that makes chording feel natural without fatigue, and the low action Gold Tone sets up at the factory translates beautifully to how the PS-250/L plays right out of the box.

The construction details on the PS-250 reflect genuine thought about what a plectrum player actually needs. The maple neck carries a rosewood fingerboard with elegant Hearts and Flowers inlay — a nod to the ornate aesthetic of vintage banjos without tipping into costume territory. GT Master Planetary tuners hold pitch reliably, and the chrome-plated hardware gives the whole instrument a clean, classic look against the vintage brown high-gloss finish. The maple bridge with ebony cap, Remo HC Smooth head, and notched tension hoop all contribute to a tone that is warm on chords but clear enough on single-note lines that melody never gets lost in the mix. You can run this in standard plectrum CGBD tuning or drop into Chicago DGBE tuning if you want to apply your guitar chord shapes directly — a real advantage for players crossing over from guitar. The included HD16 hardshell case keeps this investment protected on the road or in the rehearsal room.

Each instrument receives a professional setup at Gold Tone’s factory in Titusville, Florida before it ships to you. That means properly dressed frets, optimized nut slots, bridge placement dialed in for accurate intonation, head tension set for tone, and action adjusted so the PS-250/L plays as well as it possibly can right out of the box. You won’t need to take it anywhere before you start playing.

Why Buy From Banjo Warehouse

Banjo Warehouse is an authorized Gold Tone dealer, which means every instrument we sell is covered by Gold Tone’s full manufacturer warranty and you’re buying with complete confidence in authenticity. I’ve spent more than 45 years in this industry — I co-own Watch & Learn in Atlanta, I wrote Banjo Primer (consistently rated the number one beginner banjo method), and I co-designed the Gold Tone OB-Standard — so when I stock an instrument, it’s because I’ve evaluated it seriously and believe it delivers real value. The PS-250/L is exactly the kind of banjo I’d recommend to a left-handed player who wants genuine jazz-era character without chasing vintage prices. 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 instrument you actually want without compromising.

Gold Tone PS-250/L Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between plectrum banjo and tenor banjo — and is the PS-250/L the right choice for me?

A plectrum banjo has four strings and is played with a pick, just like a tenor banjo, but it uses a longer scale (around 26″) compared to the tenor’s shorter 23″ scale, and it is tuned CGBD rather than the tenor’s CGDA. That longer scale and open-fifth tuning give the plectrum a warmer, more guitar-like feel that a lot of chord-melody and Dixieland players prefer. If you already play guitar, the Chicago DGBE tuning option on the PS-250/L means you can apply your existing chord shapes immediately. If you are specifically drawn to Irish or Celtic music, a tenor banjo may suit you better — but for jazz, classic pop, and Dixieland ensemble playing, the PS-250/L is an excellent choice.

Is this truly a left-handed banjo, or just a regular banjo sold as left-handed?

This is a genuinely left-handed instrument — the PS-250/L is built from the ground up for left-handed players, with the neck, headstock, pot assembly, and tailpiece all oriented correctly for left-hand playing. It is not a right-handed banjo with the strings reversed. Gold Tone manufactures this as a dedicated left-handed model, which is one of the reasons it is less commonly available than the standard right-handed version. If you’ve struggled to find quality left-handed plectrum banjos, the PS-250/L is worth taking seriously.

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