AudioFu

Gold Tone

USA, est. 1970s · 65 products across 1 categories

65
Total Products
1
Categories
$1,155
Avg Price
$349
From

About 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.

Founded
1970s
Country
USA
Segment
Mid-range
Target
Gold Tone instruments cater to bluegrass, folk, and Americana musicians seeking
Known For
Open-back banjos with innovative hardware Affordable resonator guitars Unique lap steel designs Their wide variety of bluegrass instruments Accessible, entry-level instruments
PROS
  • • 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
CONS
  • • 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

Gold Tone Products

Gold Tone Resouke Tenor - Alternative Design Ukuleles

Gold Tone Resouke Tenor

Alternative Design Ukuleles

$699
Nut width 34.9 mm (1.37") Scale 406 mm (15.98") Frets 19 frets
Resonator Ukulele, Top, back and sides: Steel, Resonator: Biscuit Cone, Neck: Mahogany,...
4.4 AudioFu Score
Gold Tone PBS - Resonator Guitars

Gold Tone PBS

Resonator Guitars

$1,632
Scale 635 mm (25")
Square Neck Resonator Guitar, Paul Beard Signature Model, Original Beard Cone and Spider Resonator -...
4.5 AudioFu Score
Gold Tone F6-Plus - Mandolins

Gold Tone F6-Plus

Mandolins

$1,492
Nut width 44.4 mm (1.75") Scale 380 mm (14.96") Frets 21 frets
Mandolin, Top: soild spruce, Back and sides: solid maple, Neck: Maple, Fingerboardd: Rosewood,...
4.6 AudioFu Score
Gold Tone AC-12A Oldtime SC 5 St Banjo - Banjos

Gold Tone AC-12A Oldtime SC 5 St Banjo

Banjos

$466
Nut width 36.5 mm (1.44") Scale 597 mm (23.5") Frets 18 frets Strings 5-string
5-String Banjo, Neck: Okoume, Fingerboard: Rosewood, Dot and stars fingerboard...
4.4 AudioFu Score
Gold Tone Openback 5-String Banjo 12“ - Banjos

Gold Tone Openback 5-String Banjo 12“

Banjos

$449
Nut width 36.5 mm (1.44") Scale 665 mm (26.18") Frets 18 frets Strings 5-string
5-String Banjo, Neck: Nato, Fingerboard: Rosewood, Rim: 12" composite, Head:...
4.3 AudioFu Score
Gold Tone High Moon HM-100 Banjo - Banjos

Gold Tone High Moon HM-100 Banjo

Banjos

$2,216
Nut width 34.9 mm (1.37") Scale 665 mm (26.18") Frets 19 frets Strings 5-string
5-String Banjo, Neck: Mahogany, Fingerboard: Ebony, 12" Brass hoops, Rim 12":...
4.4 AudioFu Score
Gold Tone IT-19 Irish Tenor Banjo w/Bag - Banjos

Gold Tone IT-19 Irish Tenor Banjo w/Bag

Banjos

$1,026
Nut width 32 mm (1.26") Scale 571 mm (22.48") Frets 19 frets Strings 4-string
Tenor Banjo, 4-String, 1/2" Maple rim, 12" Brass tone ring, rolled, Chrome...
4.5 AudioFu Score
Gold Tone GME-4 E-Mandoline - Mandolins

Gold Tone GME-4 E-Mandoline

Mandolins

$617
Scale 352 mm (13.86") Frets 20 frets Body Alder body Fingerboard Maple fingerboard
Electric Mandoline, Body: Alder, Bolt-on neck: Maple, Fingerboard: Maple, Nut width: 27...
4.8 AudioFu Score
Gold Tone ABS Banjo-Resonator Mic - Miscellaneous Pickups

Gold Tone ABS Banjo-Resonator Mic

Miscellaneous Pickups

$372
Dynamic microphone for banjo resonator, Adjustable gooseneck, Shockproof mount...
4.6 AudioFu Score
Gold Tone AC-5 5 String Resonator Banjo - Banjos

Gold Tone AC-5 5 String Resonator Banjo

Banjos

$559
Nut width 30.2 mm (1.19") Scale 665 mm (26.18") Frets 22 frets Strings 5-string
5-String Banjo, Neck: Maple, Firetboard: Blackwood, Rim: Composite, Head: 11"...
4.7 AudioFu Score
Gold Tone BUT Banjo Ukulele w/Case - Banjos

Gold Tone BUT Banjo Ukulele w/Case

Banjos

$629
Nut width 35 mm (1.38") Scale 432 mm (17.01") Frets 20 frets
Tenor Banjo Ukulele, Neck: Maple, Fretboard: Blackwood, Maple bridge with ebony...
4.7 AudioFu Score
Gold Tone AC-1 5 String Openback Banjo - Banjos

Gold Tone AC-1 5 String Openback Banjo

Banjos

$372
Nut width 30.2 mm (1.19") Scale 665 mm (26.18") Frets 22 frets Strings 5-string
5-String Banjo, Neck: Mahogany, Fretboard: Blackwood, Rim: Composite, Head: 11"...
4.6 AudioFu Score
Gold Tone AC-1 5 Str. Openback Banjo LH - Banjos

Gold Tone AC-1 5 Str. Openback Banjo LH

Banjos

$407
Nut width 30.2 mm (1.19") Scale 665 mm (26.18") Frets 22 frets Strings 5-string
5-string banjo, Lefthand / left-handed model, Neck: Mahogany, Fingerboard:...
4.7 AudioFu Score
Gold Tone CC-100R 5 String Banjo Left - Banjos

Gold Tone CC-100R 5 String Banjo Left

Banjos

$932
Nut width 30 mm (1.18") Scale 665 mm (26.18") Frets 22 frets Strings 5-string
5-string resonator banjo, Lefthand / left-handed model, Cripple creek series,...
4.7 AudioFu Score
Gold Tone CC-OTA Clahammer Banjo Set - Banjos

Gold Tone CC-OTA Clahammer Banjo Set

Banjos

$734
Nut width 30.2 mm (1.19") Scale 598 mm (23.54") Frets 16 frets Strings 5-string
Banjo Set, 5-String Banjo, Neck: Maple, 2-Way adjustable truss rod, Blackwood...
4.8 AudioFu Score
Gold Tone ME-BASS/Fretless - Fretless Basses

Gold Tone ME-BASS/Fretless

Fretless Basses

$617
Nut width 42.9 mm (1.69") Scale 584 mm (22.99") Frets 24 frets
Electric Bass, Fretless, Top: Mahogany, Back and sides: Mahogany, Neck: Mahogany, Frtboard:...
4.4 AudioFu Score
Gold Tone F-6 - Mandolins

Gold Tone F-6

Mandolins

$757
Nut width 44.4 mm (1.75") Scale 378 mm (14.88")
Mando-Guitar, Top: Spruce, Back and sides: Maple, Neck: Maple, Slim neck profile, Fretboard: Blackwood...
4.3 AudioFu Score
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Frequently Asked Questions About Gold Tone

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.

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.

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.

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