Best Gold Tone Banjos in 2026

Low-profile, 22-fret rock maple neck with hardwood bow tie inlays

Sealed, geared tuning machines, including fifth string

5/8-Inch maple/ebony Goodtime bridge with adjustable Deering tailpiece

Slender rock maple neck

Sealed geared tuners

Three-ply maple rim

NEW GRAND 12" RIMFULL, FAT TONE: The new wider Grand 12" rim found on the Goodtime Americana emphasizes the bass response and gives the banjo an unmistakeble tone.

RENAISANCE HEAD - WARM TONE: The renaissance head complements the Grand 12" rim on the Goodtime Americana to further enhance this banjo's sweet, warm tone.

ENGRAVED PEGHEAD AMERICANA: Beautiful engraved peghead featuring the Americana name, Goodtime logo, and scrollwork design. Collections: 5 String Banjos, Banjos, Featured Banjos, Goodtime Banjos, In Stock, Openback 5-String Banjos Type: 5 String Banjos

Comes with a deluxe padded gig bag and a True Tune chromatic tuner

Blonde Slender Rock Maple Neck, 22 Pressed In Nickel Silver Frets, Hardwood Bow Tie Inlays, Sealed Geared Tuners, Geared 5th String Tuner, Durable Satin Finish, Deering Fiddle Shaped Peghead

11" Blonde 3-ply Violin Grade Maple Rim Steel Tension Hoop 11″ Frosted Top High Crown Head 5/8″ Maple/Ebony Goodtime Bridge 16 Flat Hooks with 9/32″ Nuts 16 Bracket Shoes with Screw Attachments Deering Patented Goodtime Tailpiece Steel Coordinator Rod for Adjustments Durable Satin Finish Openback

Goodtime Blackgrass 5-String Banjo Natural

DIMENSIONS: Neck Width at the Nut 1 1/4″, Scale Length Nut to Bridge 26 1/4″, Resonator diameter 13 7/8″, Overall Instrument Length 38″, Weight Approx. 8 lbs

NECK: Blonde Slender Rock Maple Neck, 22 Pressed In Nickel Silver Frets, Hardwood Bowtie Inlays, Sealed Geared Guitar Tuners, Geared 5th String Tuner, Durable Satin Finish, Deering Fiddle Shaped Peghead

POT: 3-ply Violin Grade Maple Rim, Patented Steel Goodtime Special Tone Ring, 11″ Frosted Top High Crown Head, Steel Tension Hoop, 16 Bracket Shoes, 16 Flat Hooks with 9/32″ Hex Nuts, Patented Goodtime Tailpiece, 2 Piece Flange, Nickel plated Armrest, Nickel Plated Hardware

Lightweight - Only 5lb!

Made In USA

3-Play Violin Grade Maple Rim

Artisan Goodtime II 5-String Resonator Banjo

With a Bluegrass resonator back for projection, the Artisan Goodtime Two banjo has a 3-ply violin grade maple rim and produces a bright and clear tone that projects well and is louder than its open back counterpart

The Artisan Two is enhanced with a Rich Brown stain, white detailing and spikes at 7, 9, and 10

Slender Rock Maple Neck Stained a Rich Brown

Midnight Maple Fingerboard

Goodtime Special Logo Engraved On Peghead

Easy to play rock maple neck with a 15" radiused pau ferro fingerboard that feature classic pearloid block style inlays.

Tuned and played just like a guitar (E, A, D, G, B, E) so guitarists can add an authentic banjo sound to their arsenal.

3-ply violin grade maple rim for a rich and bright banjo tone.

12" Rim

Scooped Fingerboard

Made In U.S.A.

Three ply maple rim.

Maple neck

All geared tuning machines.

Pau Ferro Fingerboard with a 15" Radius

Resonator For Projection Of Tone

6 Strings that are tuned and played just like a guitar - EADGBD

Neck Wood: Rock Maple

Neck Shape: Comfortable "D" Shape

Tuners: Sealed Geared Tuners

Deering Patent Pending Twenty-Ten Tone Ring.5 string banjo

Three-Ply Violin Grade Maple Rim

11″ Top Frosted Medium Crown Head

Made In U.S.A.

Great for strumming chords