Gold Tone OB-150WF 5 String Banjo
Banjos
$2,006€1,799Check ↗
Brand profile · USA, est. 1970s
Gold Tone
Gold Tone has carved a niche as a provider of affordable, quality instruments, particularly focused on bluegrass and folk music. Founded in the 1970s, the company initially gained recognition for its innovative, often unconventional, instrument designs and its focus on accessible pricing. Today, Gold Tone remains a respected name for musicians seeking dependable instruments without breaking the bank.
Open-back banjos with innovative hardwareAffordable resonator guitarsUnique lap steel designsTheir wide variety of bluegrass instrumentsAccessible, entry-level instruments
1970sfounded
USAcountry
65products in stock
$333–$5,229price range
Gold Tone in the charts
Every chart where Gold Tone has five or more models — ranked by the AudioFu Index inside each.
All 65 Gold Tone products
Sorted by AudioFu Index — the strongest models of every category first. Page 1 of 2.
Gold Tone OB-150RF Orange Blossom w/Case
Banjos
$1,671€1,499Check ↗
Gold Tone AC-1LN Openback Long Neck 5Str
Banjos
$434€389Check ↗
Gold Tone CC-100R 5 String Banjo
Banjos
$891€799Check ↗
Gold Tone AC-1FL Open Back Fretless
Banjos
$439€394Check ↗
Gold Tone CC-100RW 5 String Banjo
Banjos
$835€749Check ↗
Gold Tone CC-100R 5 String Banjo Left
Banjos
$891€799Check ↗
Gold Tone OB-150 Orange Blossom
Banjos
$1,783€1,599Check ↗
Gold Tone AC-1 5 String Openback Banjo
Banjos
$356€319Check ↗
Gold Tone AC-1 5 Str. Openback Banjo LH
Banjos
$389€349Check ↗
Gold Tone CC-50 Vintage Braun Satin
Banjos
$556€499Check ↗
Gold Tone CC-50/L Cripple Creek Lefthand
Banjos
$590€529Check ↗
Gold Tone CC-50RP Cripple Creek Banjo
Banjos
$701€629Check ↗
Gold Tone EB-5 Electric 5 string Banjo
Banjos
$947€849Check ↗
Gold Tone AC-5 5 String Resonator Banjo
Banjos
$534€479Check ↗
Gold Tone F6-Plus
Mandolins
$1,426€1,279Check ↗
Gold Tone GT-WB Weissenborn
Lap Steel Guitars
$501€449Check ↗
Gold Tone SM+ Weissenborn
Lap Steel Guitars
$1,214€1,089Check ↗
Gold Tone LS-6
Lap Steel Guitars
$891€799Check ↗
Gold Tone LS-6
Lap Steel Guitars
$891€799Check ↗
Gold Tone EB-6 E-Banjo w/Bag
Banjos
$869€779Check ↗
Gold Tone BG-150F Banjo
Banjos
$1,002€899Check ↗
Gold Tone Micro Bass 25 Fretless w/Bag
Fretless Acoustic Basses
$534€479Check ↗
Gold Tone BC-350 Bob Carlin Banjo
Banjos
$1,894€1,699Check ↗
Gold Tone AC Traveler 5 string Banjo
Banjos
$333€299Check ↗
Gold Tone OB-250 Orange Blossom
Banjos
$2,219€1,990Check ↗
Gold Tone CC-Irish Tenor Cripple Creek
Banjos
$779€699Check ↗
Gold Tone MM-150 Mountain Banjo w/Case
Banjos
$1,560€1,399Check ↗
Gold Tone TS-250 Tenor Banjo w/Case
Banjos
$1,783€1,599Check ↗
Gold Tone ME-BASS / Fretless
Fretless Basses
$590€529Check ↗
Gold Tone Resouke Tenor
Alternative Design Ukuleles
$668€599Check ↗
Gold Tone Micro Bass 25 w/Bag
4-String Acoustic Basses
$534€479Check ↗
Gold Tone Micro Bass 23 w/Bag LH
Lefthanded Acoustic Basses
$501€449Check ↗
Gold Tone AC 6+
Banjos
$661€593Check ↗
Gold Tone OB-2JM 5 String Banjo
Banjos
$3,678€3,299Check ↗
Gold Tone OB-12 Mastertone Banjo
Banjos
$5,229€4,690Check ↗
Gold Tone 5-String Orange Blossom LW
Banjos
$2,006€1,799Check ↗
Gold Tone AC 6+ Lefthand
Banjos
$646€579Check ↗
Gold Tone AC-12A Oldtime SC 5 St Banjo
Banjos
$445€399Check ↗
Gold Tone Openback 5-String Banjo 12“
Banjos
$429€385Check ↗
Gold Tone High Moon HM-100 Banjo
Banjos
$2,117€1,899Check ↗
Gold Tone IT-19 Irish Tenor Banjo w/Bag
Banjos
$980€879Check ↗
Gold Tone OB-100 Orange Blossom Banjo
Banjos
$1,661€1,490Check ↗
Gold Tone OB-300 Orange Blossom Master
Banjos
$4,783€4,290Check ↗
Gold Tone MC-150R/P Maple Classic Banjo
Banjos
$1,661€1,490Check ↗
Gold Tone CC-Carlin 12 LH 5-str.Banjo
Banjos
$835€749Check ↗
Gold Tone CC-Carlin 12 5-str.Banjo
Banjos
$891€799Check ↗
Gold Tone CB-100 Clawhammer Banjo
Banjos
$1,058€949Check ↗
Gold Tone, honestly
What Gold Tone does well
- Excellent value for the money
- Broad range of bluegrass instrument options
- Innovative, sometimes quirky, designs
- Durable construction for gigging
- Good for beginners and experienced players alike
What to watch for
- Finish quality can be inconsistent
- Some designs prioritize function over aesthetics
- May lack the prestige of premium brands
- Parts sourcing can sometimes impact availability
- Not always ideal for advanced, nuanced playing
Questions about Gold Tone
Where are Gold Tone instruments made?
Gold Tone instruments are primarily manufactured in China, with design and quality control overseen from their headquarters in Petaluma, California. They maintain a strong focus on affordability through overseas production.
Are Gold Tone banjos good for beginners?
Absolutely. Gold Tone offers several models designed specifically for beginners, providing a great entry point into the world of bluegrass banjo playing with a focus on playability and affordability.
What makes Gold Tone's lap steel guitars unique?
Gold Tone is known for its innovative lap steel designs, often incorporating unique headstock shapes, bracing patterns, and pickup configurations to achieve a distinctive tone and feel.