Gold Tone Bela Fleck Signature Banjo Mastertone Bluegrass Heart w/ Case

As the signature banjo of virtuoso musician Béla Fleck, the Gold Tone Mastertone OB-Bela "Bluegrass Heart" is the closest off-the-shelf instrument you'll find to the Grammy winner's famous "Number 1." So much so that he keeps one backstage for use as a performance-grade backup to the prewar instrument he typically plays. This professional-grade, 5-string resonator banjo boasts a bell brass, no-hole tone ring for a loud, powerful sound that commands attention. The OB-Bela includes a mahogany resonator with concentric rings, a 3-ply maple rim, and a Remo topside head. As you'd expect, this banjo's playability is second to none, thanks to a Zero Glide nut, Rickard Cyclone 10:1 tuners, a padauk-capped maple bridge, and a Prucha Presto tailpiece. You also get a Little Mountain armrest. Attention-grabbing crème binding, custom fingerboard inlays, shiny nickel-plated hardware, and a slick-looking satin finish round out this fantastic top-of-the-line instrument. If you want a banjo worthy of a true maestro, get your hands on a Gold Tone Mastertone OB-Bela "Bluegrass Heart."

Fleck-approved appointments:

The Gold Tone Mastertone OB-Bela "Bluegrass Heart" was designed with high-level players in mind. Its beefy neck and radiused fingerboard offer effortless playability and make executing single-string techniques a breeze. What's more, the added mass deepens this banjo's tone and gives it a full-spectrum voice that's impossible to ignore. Plus, the OB-Bela's Prucha Presto tailpiece, Rickard Cyclone 10:1 tuning machines with red-anodized brass buttons, custom bridge, and Little Mountain armrest enhance the instrument's tuning ease and stability while also emboldening its tone and enhancing its playing comfort. In short, the OB-Bela sets a new bar for tone, playability, and looks.

Top-quality construction

Spec'd like a hot-rodded version of Béla Fleck's famous prewar instrument, the Gold Tone Mastertone OB-Bela "Bluegrass Heart" features a top-quality mahogany resonator with concentric rings, a 1-piece die-cast flange, and an 11-inch, 3-play Canadian maple rim. You also get an 11-inch, Remo-coated, high-collar topside head and an 11-inch notched tension hoop. A Zero Glide nut, Richard Cyclone 10:1-ratio tuners, a padauk-capped maple bridge, and a Prucha Presto tailpiece round out the OB-Bela's player-centric features.

Gold Tone: a legacy of music

The origins of Gold Tone go back to the folk music scene of the '70s, when musicians Wayne and Robyn Rogers opened a small music shop. Fifteen years later, they founded Gold Tone Banjos in Titusville, Florida. Their first product, the TB-100 banjo, was designed by Wayne. As demand for this critically acclaimed instrument increased, the company expanded its offerings to include a selection of fretted instruments that combine modern innovation and timeless vintage design. The goal? To inspire all musicians, from beginners to professionals, to realize their musical dreams.

• 5-string resonator banjo with Béla Fleck-approved appointments
• Designed as a backup for the Grammy winner's famous "Number 1"
• Bell brass, no-hole tone ring delivers a loud, powerful sound that commands attention
• 14-inch mahogany resonator with concentric rings
• 1-piece die-cast flange and 11-inch, 3-ply Canadian maple rim
• 11-inch, Remo-coated, high-collar topside head
• 11-inch notched tension hoop
• Rock-solid Rickard Cyclone 10:1-ratio tuners
• Ultra-stable Zero Glide nut, 7/8-inch padauk-capped maple bridge with 10-inch radius, and Prucha Presto tailpiece
• Little Mountain armrest
• Beefy neck and radiused ebony fingerboard ensure effortless playability and a full-spectrum tone
• Attractive crème binding and custom flying eagle fingerboard inlay with red hearts
• Shiny nickel-plated hardware and a slick-looking satin finish
• Type: Acoustic
• String Type: Steel
• Number of Strings: 5
• Body Style: Resonator
• Color: Mahogany
• Finish: Satin
• Top Material :11" Remo HC Coated Topside
• Body Material: 3-ply Maple
• Neck Material: Mahogany
• Fingerboard Material: Ebony
• Fingerboard Inlay: Fleck/Rogers Custom Flying Eagle with Red Hearts
• Number of Frets: 22
• Scale Length: 26.25"
• Nut Material: Bone
• Nut Width: 1.28"
• Bridge Material: Maple
• Tuners: Rickard Cyclone, 10:1 Ratio
• Hardware: Nickel
• Strings: .010, .022, .013, .011, .010
• Case Included: Hardshell Case
• Shipped insured
• Brand new