Gold Tone OB-12 Mastertone Top Tension 5-String Banjo

The man who defined the "Golden Era" of modern banjos is back at the drawing board. Introducing the Gold Tone OB-12 Top Tension—designed with Greg Rich to deliver the original, authentic pre-war sound you’ve been chasing. Massive sustain, heritage styling, and uncompromising volume.

This instrument is a faithful tribute to the famous Mastertone Top Tension models of the late 1930s. Renowned for their weight and mass, these banjos offer a distinct, aggressive cut and a depth of tone that standard builds simply cannot replicate. At the heart of this build is the hand-selected walnut neck and matching resonator. Walnut offers a sonic signature that sits perfectly between mahogany and maple—delivering warmth without sacrificing clarity—while the carved original-style resonator provides the correct internal air chamber geometry for maximum projection.

The OB-12 is dressed to impress with historically accurate appointments. The headstock features our New Vintage Script Logo, evoking the class and style of the pre-war epoch. Functionality meets comfort with a custom top tension armrest, specifically contoured to cover the tension bolts for a smooth playing experience. To ensure optimal string energy transfer and classic snap, we have equipped this model with a premium Prucha Presto tailpiece.

Thank you to Geoff Hohwald for allowing Gold Tone to acquire the banjos used in modeling the new OB-12 Top Tension. Geoff’s extensive inventory of Mastertone banjos and his depth of knowledge are greatly appreciated.