The Very First Gold Tone Style 3 “Twanger” 5-String Bluegrass Banjo With Case

A very special instrument!  This is the very first Twanger OB-3 ever made!  It was a prototype so it has a special “00” numbered label, and is the same exact banjo used in all our original videos (with Robby Boone, Ben Clark, and Adam Ash) bringing this to market.  It’s the banjo that started it all!  Belonging to Adam Ash (our on site banjo playing guru at the time these came out) and has been played on some big shows and even used for some studio work.  Adam is just downsizing the collection and has decided to finally let this one go to somebody who might enjoy it as much as we all have.  

Condition is pretty good, some minor play wear but not too bad in that regard.  About the only thing notable that has been changed is the head.  Adam was always a big fan of early Gibsons with hide heads (think Jim Mills Hide Head Blues Album) so he had Dave Dillard of the Nashville Banjo Company make and install a custom genuine skin head.  It looks and sounds awesome, and could easily be changed to a modern synthetic head if desired.  

It’s not often that we pick up an instrument which inspires us to play, that’s genuinely hard to put down, and makes us better musicians.  This banjo is all that and so much more! 

Over a year in the making, the Gold Tone OB-3 “Twanger” is based upon the famous Gibson "Banger,” a 1929 RB-3 no-hole fat rim flathead banjo. The Twanger was conceptualized by Robby Boone, Jake Stogdill, and Ben Clark to be an outright hot rod at a ridiculously reasonably price!  The no hole tone-ring, 3 ply pre-war style rim, and gorgeous mahogany neck are a unique combination which results in tone and power that is very rare to find in this price range, or any price range for that matter.  The rest of the construction is beautiful too.  Pre-war style appointments such as the double cut peg head, traditional leaves and bows inlay, concentric resonator rings, and that authentic red mahogany finish against the deep reflective nickel plating make this banjo an absolute show stopper!

Each one is numbered and have a special label on the inside of the rim signed by Banjo Ben, Robby Boone, and Jake Stogdill upon inspection and approval!  Each one will be personally and professionally setup and include a free premium bridge upgrade as well as 5th string spikes installed and free shipping!  A hardshell case is also included!

Gold Tone has done an outstanding job with quality control and consistency!  And while admittedly Gold Tone probably isn’t the first name you think of for a “bluegrass banjo” company, this banjo is likely to change all that.  Until now, they just hadn’t made an instrument that was really trying to be a traditional bluegrass banjo, even though in building their own designs the quality has always been top notch.  And their quality is one of the reasons we decided to go with them on this build, even after talking with many other makers.  Gold Tone was willing to go to the drawing board and build a banjo to these unique specifications which were important to us.  It’s nearly impossible to find a new production banjo with a no hole ring for starters, but that detail among others were so important to us to get the type of banjo and sound we wanted.  And I’m not kidding you when I say this thing will peel paint!  The notes just sing out with very little effort required, and the attack is sharp and crisp while the tone is as deep as a well.  Not all specs are exactly “pre-war” though.  One thing for example is the fingerboard.  The original “banger” would have had a Brazilian Rosewood board, which is hardly available anymore.  Likewise, even Indian Rosewood has become increasingly difficult and regulated, and much of what is available is of poorer quality.  We didn’t want to lessen the quality so we opted for a nice quality ebony fingerboard instead.  We also feel the ebony gives a little extra “growl” to the tone which is a nice pairing with the deep breathy tone of a mahogany banjo.  

No Hole Nickel Plated Flat Head Tone-Ring
3-Ply Maple Fat Rim (thickness can vary)
 Mahogany Neck and Resonator
Concentric Ring Binding in Resonator
Nickel Plated Hardware
Presto Style Tailpiece
Bone Nut
Premium Maple/Ebony Bridge Upgrade
Ebony Fingerboard (Traditional Flat)
Double Cut Headstock
Leaves and Bows Inlay
Lacquer Finish
Planetary Tuning Machines with Geared 5th
Double Coordinator Rod
Adjustable Truss Rod
Pro Setup, Spikes, Hardshell Case, and Shipping Included

If you've got questions, shoot us a message or give us a call at 833-BANJOBEN (833-226-5623).