Gold Tone TS-250 Tenor Special Banjo with Case

If you’ve ever held one of the great pre-World War II tenor banjos built in the American Midwest — the ones that defined the sound of jazz parlors, dance halls, and early radio broadcasts — you’ll feel an immediate sense of recognition when you pick up the Gold Tone TS-250 Tenor Special. This instrument was designed to honor that golden-era legacy, and it does so with genuine authenticity rather than superficial nostalgia. The bell brass flathead tone ring sits inside an 11-inch 3-ply maple rim, generating the kind of warm, penetrating tone that made those vintage tenors so beloved. A one-piece cast flange and a 14-inch mahogany resonator round out the pot assembly, producing a voice that projects beautifully whether you’re playing jazz rhythm, Irish trad, or old-time dance music. With 24 brackets and a notched tension hoop, the head tension is consistent and easy to dial in exactly where you want it.

The 19-fret rosewood fingerboard is bound in white celluloid and adorned with hearts and flowers inlay — a design detail pulled straight from the pre-war originals and rendered here with real care. The maple neck carries a two-way adjustable truss rod and a 22-5/8-inch scale length, which gives the CGDA tuning a comfortable, balanced feel under the fingers. A ZeroGlide nut (1-3/16 inches wide) keeps the open strings perfectly in tune at the nut, and Gold Tone’s GT Master Planetary tuners hold pitch solidly through hours of playing. The vintage brown high-gloss finish and chrome hardware complete a look that would not feel out of place on a 1920s bandstand — or a modern recording session. An 11-inch Remo HC Smooth head and a maple-and-ebony-cap bridge translate the bell brass ring’s resonance into a clear, focused sound with genuine dynamic range. This is a serious working instrument built for players who know what they want.

Every instrument receives a professional factory setup at Gold Tone in Titusville, Florida before it ships. The neck angle is checked and adjusted, the string height is set to a comfortable playing action, the head tension is verified, and the bridge is properly fitted and positioned for accurate intonation. The goal is simple: when you take the TS-250 out of its hardshell case for the first time, it should play like a banjo that has already been broken in and set up to your benefit — because it has.

Why Buy From Banjo Warehouse

Banjo Warehouse is an authorized Gold Tone dealer, which means every TS-250 we sell carries the full manufacturer’s warranty and comes directly through the proper distribution channel. I’ve been working with banjos for more than 45 years — I co-own Watch & Learn in Atlanta since the 1980s, wrote Banjo Primer (still the top-rated beginner banjo method), co-designed the OB-Standard with Gold Tone. I was Deering Banjo’s number-one dealer back in 1980. When I tell you the TS-250 is a genuinely fine instrument at this price point, I’m speaking from a long career of playing, teaching, and selling banjos — not from a marketing brief. We also offer flexible financing so the instrument you actually want doesn’t have to wait: PayPal Pay in 4, Afterpay, and 3, 6, 12, and 24-month plans are all available with no late fees.

Gold Tone TS-250 Specifications

Tuning	CGDA (Standard Tenor)
Scale Length	22-5/8″
Frets	19
Nut Width	1-3/16″ ZeroGlide Nut
Neck Material	Maple
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Inlay	Hearts & Flowers
Binding	White ABS
Truss Rod	Two-Way Adjustable
Tuners	GT Master Planetary
Headstock Buttons	C-Style
Rim	11″ 3-Ply Maple
Tone Ring	11″ Bell Brass Flathead
Head	11″ Remo HC Smooth
Tension Hoop	11″ Notched
Brackets	24
Flange	One-Piece Cast
Resonator	14″ Mahogany
Bridge	Maple with Ebony Cap
Tailpiece	Banjo Cast
Coordinator Rods	Dual 11″
Armrest	Fits All GT Engraved
Finish	Vintage Brown / High Gloss
Hardware	Chrome Plated
String Gauge	.030w, .022w, .016, .009
Weight	11 lbs.
Case	Included
Optional Bag	HBTR (Available Separately)

Frequently Asked Questions

What styles of music is the TS-250 suited for?

The TS-250 is tuned CGDA and covers a wide range of tenor banjo styles. Its bell brass flathead tone ring gives it a warm, full voice that works beautifully for jazz rhythm playing and chord-melody work in the traditional jazz style. It’s equally at home in Irish traditional music, where the CGDA tuning mirrors the tuning of the mandola and the Irish tenor banjo is a fixture of session playing. Old-time, early popular song, and even some classical arrangements all sit comfortably on this instrument. If you’ve been looking for one tenor banjo that can handle multiple contexts without compromise, the TS-250 is a strong answer to that question.

Is the TS-250 a good choice for a player coming from guitar or other fretted instruments?

Yes, and the professional factory setup before the banjo ships makes that transition noticeably easier. The 22-5/8-inch scale length is comfortable for adult hands, the ZeroGlide nut ensures that open chords ring in tune, and the low playing action means you won’t be fighting the instrument to press the strings down cleanly. Players coming from mandolin or violin will find the CGDA tuning immediately familiar. Guitarists who use chord shapes often adapt quickly to tenor banjo because so many jazz and folk voicings translate well. The 19 frets also give you enough range to play melodies high up the neck once you’re comfortable with the instrument.

Does this banjo come with everything I need to start playing?

The TS-250 ships with a hardshell case included. You’ll want to pick up a tenor banjo pick (a medium or heavy flatpick works well for most styles), and many players like to have a spare set of strings on hand. The professional factory setup means the instrument arrives ready to play straight out of the case — the action, intonation, and head tension are all dialed in before it ships. If you have questions about accessories or want a recommendation for learning resources, feel free to reach out to us directly at Banjo Warehouse.

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