Moments of inspiration often begin with the gleam of engraved hardware or the resonance of a bell-brass tone ring. The Gold Tone Mastertone OB-Grandee Orange Blossom Grand Resonator Banjo draws from the “holy grail” pre-war banjos, channeling their ornate visual style and uncompromising sound into a modern build. Its curly maple neck and resonator, gold-plated hardware, and hearts-and-flowers inlay offer a tactile link to the past, while the 11" 3-ply maple rim and 20-hole flat-top tone ring set the stage for articulate, powerful response
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Gold Tone Mastertone OB-Grandee Orange Blossom Grand Resonator Banjo Vntg Brown

item# 1500000483221

Excellent - Refurbished

Moments of inspiration often begin with the gleam of engraved hardware or the resonance of a bell-brass tone ring. The Gold Tone Mastertone OB-Grandee Orange Blossom Grand Resonator Banjo draws from the “holy grail” pre-war banjos, channeling their ornate visual style and uncompromising sound into a modern build. Its curly maple neck and resonator, gold-plated hardware, and hearts-and-flowers inlay offer a tactile link to the past, while the 11" 3-ply maple rim and 20-hole flat-top tone ring set the stage for articulate, powerful response. The OB-Grandee’s balanced feel, confident projection, and refined appointments come together for players seeking both tradition and reliability onstage and in the studio—a union of legacy design and practical performance that stands up to real-world expectations.

Gold Tone Maple Construction and Classic Resonator Sound

A curly maple neck and 14" maple resonator form the backbone of this model’s sound, delivering crisp attack and bright, focused sustain. The 11" 3-ply maple rim and bell-brass flat-top tone ring reinforce note separation and clarity, keeping rolls and melodies distinct in a dense musical arrangement. The tactile feedback from the high-gloss finish and detailed inlay keeps the playing experience visually engaging and physically responsive.

Gold Tone Hardware, Setup and Tuning Stability

Gold-plated hardware, including the one-piece cast flange and Grandee-engraved armrest, withstands the demands of regular gigging, resisting both wear and tarnish. Gotoh planetary tuners keep intonation precise, while the dual coordinator rods and two-way truss rod allow for straightforward neck adjustments. These details help the banjo hold up under shifting environments and frequent transport, maintaining a consistent feel across sessions.

Gold Tone Mastertone OB-Grandee Orange Blossom Grand Resonator Banjo in Performance

Onstage or in the studio, the Gold Tone Mastertone OB-Grandee Orange Blossom Grand Resonator Banjo feels immediately familiar—responsive to nuanced picking, rewarding to dig into for driving rhythm, and visually striking under stage lights. Every detail, from the Snuffy Smith bridge to the hearts-and-flowers inlay, supports a focused, confident playing experience that holds up to the expectations of committed bluegrass and acoustic musicians.

Features:

Professional-grade resonator banjo brings vintage tone and stage presence
11” flat top bell brass tone ring delivers cutting attack and clarity
Curly maple resonator projects sound for powerful live performances
Gotoh planetary tuners provide stable tuning for fast picking runs
5/8” Snuffy Smith bridge increases note separation and articulation
Two-way adjustable truss rod makes neck relief changes quick
Hearts and Flowers inlay helps finger placement and stage identification
Grandee engraved armrest and tension hoop add grip and visual impact
Dual coordinator rods maintain structural stability under heavy play
Includes hard case for secure transport and storage

Specifications:

General
Product type: Resonator banjo
Model: OB-Grandee
Body
Top wood: Maple
Back wood: Maple
Resonator: 14" maple
Rim: 11" 3-ply maple
Flange: One piece cast
Brackets: 24
Armrest: Grandee engraved
Binding: Cream ABS
Concentric rings: No
Finish: Vintage brown high gloss
Neck
Neck wood: Maple
Fingerboard wood: Rosewood
Scale length: 26-1/4"
Number of frets: 22
Inlays: Hearts and flowers
Truss rod: Two-way adjustable
Nut width: 1-1/4" bone
Hardware
Tuners: Gotoh planetary
Tailpiece: Prucha clamshell
Bridge: 5/8" Snuffy Smith
Tension hoop: 11" notched Grandee engraving
Coordinator rods: Dual 11"
Tone ring: 11" flat top 20-hole bell brass
Hardware finish: Gold plated
Head
Head type: Remo HC coated topside
Head diameter: 11"
Dimensions
Scale length: 26-1/4"
Resonator diameter: 14"
Rim diameter: 11"
Weight: 10.2 lb.
Other
Strings: .009, .020, .013, .011, .009
Tuning: GDGBD
Case: Hardshell case included
Bag: HPB available
Orientation: Right handed

Shipping
Orders are generally shipped the following business day after payment is received. For example, if your order is placed AND paid for at 1 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, Musicians Friend will ship it on Monday. We are only shipping eBay orders via standard ground shipping at this time (3-7 business days for delivery once the item leaves our warehouse)

Payment
We use eBay Managed Payments and accept the following forms of payment credit, debit, and gift cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and PayPal Credit.

Sales Tax
We are required to collect sales tax on all orders, except those shipped to the following states: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon.

Store Policies
If you’re not satisfied, neither are we. If for any reason you’re not completely satisfied with your purchase of a new item, simply return it in its original condition within 45 days of purchase (see exceptions below) and we’ll give you a full refund. It’s that simple. Returned items must be in original, brand-new condition, showing no signs of wear or use such as belt-buckle or pick scratches, scuffs, dings or scrapes on the instrument or collateral materials. Items must also include all original packaging, manuals, warrantees and accessories or your return may be subject to a return handling charge.

Your refund will be promptly processed upon successful evaluation of your returned item from our trained category professionals in 2-3 business days. Refunds are made for product value only, excluding shipping and handling charges. If you received Free Shipping on your order, the value of the uncharged shipping cost will be deducted from your refund.

Limitations and Exceptions
Returns of the following products must be made within 10 days of shipment - Stringed instruments priced at $1999.00 or more. The following products cannot be returned – Clearance items, Apple products, items identified as non-returnable, discontinued items, electronic software downloads, demo gear, vintage instruments, strings, reeds, computers, tubes, earbuds, earplugs, recorders, tin whistles, flutophones, "world" wind instruments, harmonicas, raw-frame speakers, drumheads, drumsticks, turntable cartridges, fog fluid, clothing/footwear, body jewelry, sheet music, cleaners, polishes and polishing cloths, software/soundware, books, CDs, DVD's, vinyl records, and videos.The following fees apply to Band & Orchestra returns - All returned woodwind and brass instruments incur a $10.00 sanitization fee. Returned bows are assessed a $4.00 restocking fee. Returned mouthpieces over $300 incur an $8.00 sanitization fee; the fee for mouthpieces under $300 is $4.00.

Should you decide to return your shipment, please follow the return steps printed on the back of your invoice and pack your return carefully to prevent damage in shipment. All returns must:

1. Include a Return Authorization Number; (Please contact us via eBay messages for an RA number)

2. Be in the original packaging complete with all collateral materials such as cases, straps, cables, care kits, certificates of authenticity, warranty cards, manuals, and any other materials that originally shipped with the instrument;

3. Be in brand-new condition, showing no signs of wear or use such as belt-buckle or pick scratches, scuffs, dings, or scrapes on the instrument or collateral materials.