The BG-250F is the first professional 5 string banjo in our line. It is a vintage replica of the most famous banjo ever played in bluegrass music. All its parts are accurate reproductions of the original. In addition, we have added a maple neck to brighten the tone compared to the original mahogany necks and added a straightline tailpiece to provide extra downward pressure on the bridge creating even more volume. Features also include a bound rosewood fingerboard, a die cast one piece flange and 14” bound mahogany resonator, the new GT Master planetary tuners, a 3-ply Canadian maple rim, flat-top 20-hole bell brass tone ring, and a complete setup at the Gold Tone Factory in Florida. For a no frills, straight ahead bluegrass banjo, the BG-250F cannot be beat for quality and tone.

The Madison RK-R35 gives banjo players the option of a high-quality, great-sounding banjo with a classic Mastertone-style tone ring and flange. The Recording King Madison RK-R35 is built around a 3-ply steam bent maple rim, from the exact same construction and materials used in the best-selling RK-R80. It has a maple neck with an adjustable two-way truss rod and a comfortable rosewood fretboard. With a 24-hook brass tension hoop, players can adjust the head tension as precisely as on any world-class banjo. The planetary tuners, geared 5th peg and dual coordinator rods are effective professional components, and add an authentic feel to these impressive banjos. The Madison RK-R35 has a maple resonator with a hand-rubbed brown matte finish. It is built with a Mastertone-style bell brass cast tone ring and a Mastertone-style one-piece flange. The Madison peghead and fretboard feature our Seagull inlay, for a banjo that looks as classic as it sounds. The American threaded nickel-plated hook and nut hardware, as well as the true presto-style tailpiece and armrest are the same as featured on the popular RK-Scout. Like the other Madison banjos, the Madison Deluxe comes standard with an authentic Remo head.

To fulfill many requests for a professional level bluegrass banjo with a wider fingerboard, we have introduced the BG-250FW. This model features the same specifications as the BG-250F with a nut width of 1 5/16” instead of the standard 1 3/16”. Players with larger fingers will enjoy the comfort of this fingerboard.

Flinthill banjos are hand-crafted to the original pre-war specs— to the delight of collectors and players everywhere! There are no modern banjos that come any closer to sound of the pre-war originals—but Flinthill beats EVERYBODY on price! The finest selected maple and mahogany are used for the necks and resonators and the lavish pearl inlay patterns are reproductions of vintage originals. You have your choice of an authentic, cast flathead tone ring or the rare raised head arch top tone ring—the most coveted, late 1920s solid version with no holes. All the neck proportions are pre-war-inspired and designed for easy playing. Authentic, 2-band planetary tuners and a geared 5th ensure accurate tuning and the one piece flange, correct period armrest and Presto-style tailpiece are true to tradition as well.

The Recording King Madison RK-R36 is for every banjo player looking for a high-quality, great-sounding instrument that won't break the bank. The RK-R36 is built with a Mastertone-style bell brass cast tone ring and one-piece flange just like our best-selling RK-R35, but with a select mahogany resonator and neck. The 24-hook brass tension hoop allows the head to be adjusted to the perfect tension, and the nickel-plated hardware matches vintage Mastertone-style specs at a fraction of the price.

Flinthill banjos are hand-crafted to the original pre-war specs— to the delight of collectors and players everywhere! There are no modern banjos that come any closer to sound of the pre-war originals—but Flinthill beats EVERYBODY on price! The finest selected maple and mahogany are used for the necks and resonators and the lavish pearl inlay patterns are reproductions of vintage originals. You have your choice of an authentic, cast flathead tone ring or the rare raised head arch top tone ring—the most coveted, late 1920s solid version with no holes. All the neck proportions are pre-war-inspired and designed for easy playing. Authentic, 2-band planetary tuners and a geared 5th ensure accurate tuning and the one piece flange, correct period armrest and Presto-style tailpiece are true to tradition as wel

Simply put – The Orange Blossom OB-250 represents the staple of our bluegrass-style banjo line. It has been one of the highest selling banjos in the Gold Tone line for the last 15 years and is the basis of many inspired additions going above and beyond the call of duty. The OB-250 was redesigned in 2007 to include a more modern appeal still holding on to its vintage and proven design. Features include the popular curly maple binding on the maple neck and resonator, GT-Master planetary tuners, Hearts & Flowers inlay, one-piece curly maple veneer on the resonator, straightline tailpiece, and a new gorgeous tobacco brown finish. With the upgraded tone ring design introduced in early 2011, it will certainly raise brows at your local jam. The flat-top 20-hole bell brass tone ring coupled with a 3-ply Canadian maple rim and a complete setup at the Gold Tone Factory in Florida, the OB-250, or any of the other Orange Blossom models, will certainly be the last banjo you will ever need!

Case Included

Most banjo players agree that the ideal bluegrass banjo was the flathead built in very limited quantities during the 1930's. To meet this demand and to offer it at a price any player could afford, Saga Musical Instruments introduced the original GF-100 banjo in the early 1970's. Ever since these banjos were discontinued in the late 1980's due to costly manufacturing methods in Japan, they have continued to be topics of discussion for their legendary sound and value. It's 2005 and the new Gold Star GF-100W (Wreath) is back and better than ever before. Each instrument has that same great tone that banjos players like Tom Adams are looking for. Available in 3 different inlay patterns: Hearts & Flowers, Flying Eagle, and Wreath Inlays.

In 1980, five musicians went into the Arch Street Studio in Berkeley, CA and Bluegrass recording history was made. “The Bluegrass Album” with Tony Rice, J.D. Crowe, Bobby Hicks, Doyle Lawson and Todd Phillips redefined the direction of the music for the next generation. The banjo pictured on the cover and recorded on the Bluegrass Album was a prewar RB-3 that has been with Saga for more than 30 years. For the past five years, we have charted a course which has finally resulted in the recreation of that legendary banjo…an instrument that produced some of the finest examples of banjo tone that have ever been recorded. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of the continuing tradition.

The Orange Blossom OB-250AT model includes a forty-hole sand cast bell brass arch top tone ring fitted to a 3-ply Canadian maple rim. This well-equipped configuration produces more penetrating highs and volume compared to those achieved with a conventional flat top tone ring. For banjoists who are familiar with the flat top sound and are looking for a brighter sound that will “cut through” in bluegrass jams, this model is answer!

Modeled after the original Mastertone banjos of the 1930's, our RK Elite 85 offers players classic vintage snap and handcrafted construction. Professional components like a classic Mastertone-style tone ring and true steam-bent 3-ply maple rim provide the fundamentals for traditional banjo tone. The highly-flamed maple resonator & neck and sunburst finish result in a stunning banjo with excellent projection and beautiful aesthetics. With classic design features like the vintage-style double-cut Recording King peghead and custom Hearts & Flowers-style peghead and fretboard inlay, the Elite 85 combines historic banjo tradition with modern construction for a true top shelf instrument.

Modeled after the original Mastertone banjos of the 1930's, the Recording King RK-Elite offers players vintage sound and handcrafted construction. Professional components like a classic Mastertone-style tone ring, true steam-bent 3-ply maple rim and nitrocellulose lacquer finish put this banjo in a category by itself. With classic design features like the vintage-style double-cut Recording King peghead and custom Flying Eagle-style peghead and fretboard inlay, this banjo proudly carries forward the tradition of one of history's most revered instrument manufacturers.

Modeled after the original Mastertone banjos of the 1930's, the Recording King RK-Elite offers players vintage sound and handcrafted construction. Professional components like a classic Mastertone-style tone ring, true steam-bent 3-ply maple rim and nitrocellulose lacquer finish put this banjo in a category by itself. With classic design features like the vintage-style double-cut Recording King peghead and custom Hearts & Flowers-style peghead and fretboard inlay, this banjo proudly carries forward the tradition of one of history's most revered instrument manufacturers.

The Orange Blossom 250+ (OB-250+) is an improved version of our celebrated OB-250 with added features reserved for only the highest-quality of banjos. Upgraded features include the JLS “Special #12” Bronze Tone Ring, a 3-ply Canadian maple rim, Gary Sosebee Select aged maple bridge, and includes a TKL deluxe arch top case and a lifetime transferable warranty. The JLS “Special #12” Tone Ring is a replica of the Gibson tone rings used in the Granada models in the 1930’s. The maker, Jim Stull of San Antonio, Texas, has analyzed original Gibson tone rings and duplicated the exact specifications. When electronically tested for pitch, sustain, and ring, it equals the original. It also has a slightly longer “skirt” which (1) provides more contact with the wood rim and (2) provides direct contact with the heel of the neck for optimized tone. With a complete setup at the Gold Tone Factory in Florida, this banjo will compete with just about any banjo out there… right out of the box.

Case Included

The "plus" in the OB-250+ is the ultra-premium JLS #12 tone ring. Developed by master caster Jim Stull of San Antonio, Texas, this ring is the result of years of analyzing many pre-WW ll G-word tone rings to ascertain the formula of the bronze alloy used to make them the sought-after pieces of hardware they've become. This long-skirt tone ring improves the contact between the neck, the rim and the tone ring, increasing the transmission of energy from the pot to the neck. It mimics the tone of the costly originals at a tiny fraction of the original's cost. The OB-250+TP adds the phenomenal Tony Pass/Schaefer birch (recovered from the bottom of Lake Superior) block-style rim for even MORE powerful tone. Includes hard shell case. Available as left-hand

This gold plated beauty has all of the elegant features found on banjos well into the $10,000 range. A curly maple neck and matching curly maple binding combine for a most decorative 5 string. The sand cast bronze tone ring is used in only the best of banjos and provides a loud and penetrating tone. A unique truss rod cover matches the exquisite inlay throughout the banjo. With a detailed setup at the Gold Tone Factory, this banjo will play and sound worlds above the price you would actually pay for it.

Case Included

The Gold Tone “Bluegrass Heart” Béla Fleck Signature Banjo is now a reality. Now YOU can play a professional-grade banjo that will provide the closest thing yet to the feel and the tone of Béla’s pre-war masterpiece. Every detail of this instrument is a result of personal, hands-on development by Béla, Marc and Wayne. The finest components available are used to optimize the sound and the playing experience. The Prucha Presto tailpiece, Rickard Cyclone 10:1 tuning machines (with custom, red-anodized brass buttons for added peghead mass), custom bridge and Little Mountain armrest all do their part to enhance tuning ease and stability, full-bodied tone and playing comfort.