RomanS - Posted - 11/16/2025:  10:05:46

Hello guys,

I've been playing mostly two finger thumb lead, and a little bit of clawhammer, for about 3 years now, started on a Recording King Madison open back, then had Stone Banjo Co. build me a custom banjo (A scale - but tuned to G, wider neck, frailing scoop, no tone ring at all).



A while ago I joined a band that plays "bluegrass adjacent" music - lots of Billy Strings, some country and folk songs, there's guitar, mandolin and upright bass; I joined as a dobro player, but they also wanted me to play banjo on a few songs - which I have been doing using my "old-timey" banjo &TFTL style; I have started learning Scruggs style, since that would work better with our setlist.



The right hand isn't a huge problem (I just have to get a bit faster with my rolls) - the left hand IS - and that's gear related. This Stone banjo sounds & plays great - for old-timey stuff; unfortunately NOT for Scruggs/bluegrass. It's a bit too dark/warm (despite my experimentation with setup, tuning...), especially when venturing above the 7th fret - way too plunky); also, because of the short scale & scoop, I'm limited in playing inversions up the neck.



I'm looking to buy a new banjo more fit for bluegrass, something mid-level - say 500-1500 Euros.

Unfortunately, due to my location (Vienna, Austria), availability is VERY limited. Those very few used banjos available locally (and there aren't more than 5-10 at any time in my country) is either junk, or very expensive (5k Gibsons, etc).

There are NO quality banjos available in local stores, nothing but a couple of cheap VGS/Ortega/Gewa clones.

Having a new Prucha or Capek built is beyond my paygrade.

So, mail-order from Thomann or the likes is my only option, which means, I can't try before buying. Recording King seems to have ceased operations; I don't want a Deering; which leaves Gold Tone as the only option.

I checked which Gold Tone models are available from Thomann, but since I can't try before playing, I'm a bit lost...



I don't know whether a simple rolled brass tone-ring, like on the CC50RP, CC100R, or BG150F; would work for what I want to play - I guess they would be brighter than my wood rim Stone banjo, but bright enough for bluegrass? I'm not looking for Ralph Stanley archtop hailstones-on-a-tin-roof bright just a middle of the road bluegrass tone. The lighter weight would be a plus.



I know that I found the 1-3/16" nut on my Recording King open back a bit narrow, but those three I mentioned have that same narrow neck - there's also the CC100RW with a 1-3/8" neck, which is probably my best bet, though I'm not a big fan of the pale blonde finish...



Or should I bite the bullet of higher weight, and get a true tonering bluegrass Gold Tone - the OB150RF is available at Thomann, and still in my price range (currently 1245€); they also have an open box/customer return OB3 well below 1.5k at the moment - probably the highest quality of the bunch.



So - CC100RW for the wider neck, despite the homely looks, and hoping for enough brightnes?

Or one of the OBs, which cost & weigh quite a bit more?



I know I'll have to decide for myself, but any thoughts and tips would be appreciated!

Edited by - RomanS on 11/16/2025 10:26:40

KCJones - Posted - 11/16/2025:  11:54:15

You're going to want a full weight flathead resonator banjo. If you're playing a Stone you're not going to be happy with any of the entry/mid level Gold Tones. Don't even bother with a CC model, they ain't it, they're very much "beginner banjo". They're good for a PacRim banjo but nothing near a Stone. Given your options, if I was absolutely forced to choose one of them, I'd take that open box OB3.



You could also check the BHO classifieds right here on this site, there are users in Europe that might have something you're looking for. For example: banjohangout.org/classified/108828 

Edited by - KCJones on 11/16/2025 11:56:36

Culloden - Posted - 11/16/2025:  12:00:53

Of the three you initially listed, I would go with the BG150F. It doesn't have the heavy tone ring like the OB style banjos do; it has a flat brass hoop. It also has bracket shoes and a plate flange instead of a one-piece flange, but it packs enough punch to do what you are wanting. For the price, I think it's a lot better banjo than the other two you mentioned. If you were planning to start playing banjo in a Bluegrass band professionally instead of playing a few songs per set, my recommendation would be different.

RomanS - Posted - 11/16/2025:  12:11:54

Thanks @KCJones! Any particular reason for choosing the OB3 over the OB150RF?



About that classified link: That banjo (and a few others by the same seller) are also listed on our local version of Craigslist - didn't want to mention it because I know that he is actuve here. When I was shopping for my first open back a few years ago, I had a somewhat unpleasant interaction with this seller, that left enough of a bad taste in my mouth that I don't want to deal with him again... (There's a thread about that somewhere in the Archives.)

Edited by - RomanS on 11/16/2025 12:12:53

KCJones - Posted - 11/16/2025:  12:44:20

The OB3 is a real bluegrass banjo. Full weight flathead tone ring, 3-ply maple rim, 1-piece flange.



The OB150RF is not, with a tone hoop, multi-ply rim, and hook-shoe construction with 'flange plate'. I've handled a few OB150Fs and they're just not great, thin tone and arguably more importantly they just feel terrible, thick neck profile and plasticy thick gloss finish, and my opinion (opinion) is that the plating looks cheap. You can find the OB150F without the Gold Tone logo for under $300 delivered if you poke around (Harly Benton BJ-55Pro). If you're going to get something of that spec, you could just as easily get the Epiphone Mastertone Classic, Ibanez B200, or Gewa VGS, which are cheaper than the BG150F and at least you get a real flange and flathead tone ring.



Focus on the specs. Full weight tone ring. One (or 2) Piece Flange. 3-ply rim. I wouldn't recommend anything that doesn't have those features for a gigging bluegrass banjo, especially if you've already experienced a proper quality banjo (Stone). 

Edited by - KCJones on 11/16/2025 12:45:36

RomanS - Posted - 11/16/2025:  12:47:44

I think you are confusing the BG150F (hoop) with the OB150RF (flathead tonering).

The OB150, AFAIK, is similar to the OB250, but with different cosmetics.

goldtonemusicgroup.com/goldton...6IcVYdSPl

But good to hear your opinion on the BG150F, because that one was also on my list.

Edited by - RomanS on 11/16/2025 13:03:35

KCJones - Posted - 11/16/2025:  13:10:41

Oops! Sorry I got confused because Mark mentioned the BG150F as well. You are correct sir. I don't think the OB150F has the same tone ring as the other OB banjos. But I could be wrong. 

Edited by - KCJones on 11/16/2025 13:11:24

RB3 - Posted - 11/16/2025:  13:52:14

I've seen a lot of very positive reviews of the Gold Tone OB3 "Twanger" by very knowledgeable and accomplished professional players. The open-box OB3 you mention appears to be a great deal for a solid Bluegrass banjo.

Old Hickory - Posted - 11/16/2025:  16:14:08

It seems to me you already realize that the banjos in your list that will sound like actual bluegrass banjos are the OB-150RF and the OB-3.

The OB150 has some economies of construction that allow Gold Tone to sell it for less. But I've played one and it's a fine-sounding banjo. The neck was very comfortable. If the idea and specs of the RF neck appeal to you then go for that. Otherwise, the open box OB-3 strikes me as the best value. I assume it has a better tone ring than the OB150, which may account for some of the cost difference.

It may be possible to coax some bluegrass tone out of the BG150F. But it's really a very dressed-up beginner's level instrument. If, by chance, you'll be playing through a pickup, then you could probably do OK with the lighter weight BG150F and its tone hoop. Years ago, at a small local festival, I heard a Recording King RK-25 wood-rimmed ringless resonator banjo played through a Fishman pickup and the PA speakers it sounded great. I asked the banjo player what he was using, which is how I know.

The Cripple Creek banjos are not serious contenders.

Good luck.

Mickhammer - Posted - 11/16/2025:  23:54:52

quote:

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Originally posted by RomanS

Unfortunately, due to my location (Vienna, Austria), availability is VERY limited. 

---

Same here in France! I find most of my instruments on Leboncoin (sort of the Craig's List of France/Europe). Which is fine for something that doesn't cost more than, say, 600 euros. But I'm reluctant to commit to spending more than that sight unseen. I visited Austin a few years back - it was amazing to me to see an entire store dedicated to just the banjo! Dozens of 'em! Go to any music store in France (or New Jersey for that matter), and you're lucky to find one.

The great part about Thomann is they're serious about their no-questions-asked return policy. They even seem to insist on it (which is a good thing, since Thomann doesn't spend much time, if any at all, setting up the instruments they sell). There's really no risk in trying out the banjo you're interested in -- if it's not "the one", send it back and try the next one. 

Personally, I don't think I could ever get comfortable with a resonator -- the added weight alone is a deal-breaker for me. I even sold my GT MM-150 because I found it too heavy to play comfortably. (Well, mostly, the tone ring made it too bright for my ears.)

RomanS - Posted - 11/17/2025:  00:22:09

Yeah, naturally something lighter (like my Stone banjo) would be nice, but for "that" tone the weight seems to be necessary.
I think I'm going to wait a couple more weeks before making a decision - there's a bluegrass concert here in town in the first week of December, with (among others) great Spanish banjo player Lluis Gomez, I guess all of the local banjo aficionados will be there, I'm gonna try and ask around whether someone knows something for sale locally - if not, I'll order from Thomann (whose return policy is first class, indeed!)

segerc - Posted - 11/17/2025:  01:48:37

Hi Roman

I can highly recommend EagleMusic in the UK, and they ship worldwide (I recently payed approx 120 GBP for a full weight banjo from the UK to Switzerland). Very professional, very helpful.

They have right now a used Washburn B16, which seems to be a quite good banjo. I've got recently a used, Korean-made Fender FB58, which looks pretty close to the Washburn. And my Fender is, after some tweaking and the addition of a Scorpion-bridge, a real good 'every day' banjo.

That Washburn might be something for you, even if you have to pay for the shipping.

Best regards from Switzerland

Christoph

RomanS - Posted - 11/17/2025:  03:03:11

Thanks! I'm not familiar with this model - is this just another variant of the same banjo that is being sold under brands like Ozark, VGS, Ortega, Tennessee, etc ?
If so, a Tennessee-branded one is currently for sale here locally, for 500.

Also, while I haven't looked into the details, I'm afraid ordering from the UK post-Brexit would add import taxes to the price...

Old Hickory - Posted - 11/17/2025:  08:00:52

quote:

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Originally posted by RomanS

Thanks! I'm not familiar with this model - is this just another variant of the same banjo that is being sold under brands like Ozark, VGS, Ortega, Tennessee, etc ?

If so, a Tennessee-branded one is currently for sale here locally, for 500.

---

Yes, it is.

Well, I don't know all those names (because they tended to be sold in Europe). But Washburn banjos were simply rebadged Asian instruments made in one factory and sold all over the world. Here in the USA, they were pretty much the same banjos as Fender and I forget which other names. 

If the 500 (euro? dollar?) Tennessee is a "Masterclone" -- resonator banjo with flathead "brass" tone ring on wood rim, one-piece-flange, and fancy inlay (either Gibson-style or something else) -- then it could be a reasonable choice. With those features, it will sound like a bluegrass banjo.  In my non-expert opinion, 500 euro or dollars is the right price for one of those.

So now you have a range of choices.

Here in the USA, a new OB-3 Twanger now costs $2000(US) (1725 euro). So the open box OB3 for under 1500 euro is a great price on a well-regarded banjo. But the 500 euro Tennessee -- if it has the right parts -- could be all you need.

Good luck.

segerc - Posted - 11/17/2025:  08:40:05

Hi, its me again to possibly clearify some of my thoughts about the Washburn banjo. And BTW: I am in no way involved with EagleMusic, 'just' a very pleased customer of them.

Their Washburn B16 is listed (used) with 749 GBP (British Pounds) = 850 EUR = 985 USD. Plus shipping, and yes: plus import duties. But still a good price for what I believe is a decent Bluegrass banjo.

As said in my original post; I do not own or play the Washburn, but my Fender FB58 looks pretty similar and shows similiar specs (flathead tone ring, 1 piece zinc flange, 3-ply maple rim, ebony fretboard, maple neck....weight 11 pounds/5.6kg). My Korean Fender is very close to an Ibanez (made in Japan) I had in the beginning of the 90's, and possibly close to the Iida, Aria etc 'made in Japan' models which by now are pretty sought after instruments. Mine was made in Korea by Samick, the last Fenders were made in China.

Roman: good luck in finding a good banjo for your needs.

Best regards from Switzerland

Christoph

Schnitzel - Posted - 11/17/2025:  11:31:05

Hi,

close to Vienna there is another option that might be interesting -> "Coall Banjos" from Bratislava:

instagram.com/coallinstruments/?hl=de

facebook.com/coallinstruments

One month ago I saw a Coall banjo at the Prucha Workshop. It looked and sounded super nice. There are a some professional folks at Bratislava that might sell used banjos, too.

Best regards from Vienna,

Roman

RomanS - Posted - 11/17/2025:  14:37:53

Yeah, I've seen those Coalls, actually met the maker two years ago at a bluegrass camp - unfortunately, no prices to be found, I presume they are in the Prucha/Capek/Bulas range...

RomanS - Posted - 11/19/2025:  11:11:48

Well, I asked in a newsgroup of the local bluegrass scene, and a fiddle player I know said he has a resonator banjo he bought a while ago, but never plays. He said I can buy it if I like it, or else borrow it until I find something; he's not a gearhead, and didn't remember what brand & model it was, he bought it used for a few hundred Euros, gonna find out the details next week (he's out of town till after the weekend).

Edited by - RomanS on 11/19/2025 11:12:32

RomanS - Posted - 11/26/2025:  03:32:07

A little update:
I'm just back from visiting the fiddle player who said he'd lend, or possibly, sell me that resonator banjo he has, but rarely plays. I brought my Stone Banjo Co. open back, for direct comparison - and I left WITHOUT that resonator he had.
It's an "Antoria' brand, possibly Japanese 1970s?
Surprise: It absolutely was NOT louder than my open back wood rim. Also, up the neck it did not sound more "ringy". My banjo gets "plunky" up there, that one just sounded thin.
Since that Artoria also was surprisingly lightweight, we took off the resonator to check what tonering it has - while there WAS a flathead tonering, I suspect it's not brass, but aluminum or chromed pot metal.
Also, the whole banjo just felt "cheap", toy-like.

I guess I have been spoiled by that "bespoke" handmade Stone banjo I have, and if I want something comparable, I'll have to save up for a Prucha or the likes to be happy!

RomanS - Posted - 02/16/2026:  00:41:20

A little update:
I did end up getting a Gold Tone OB3 - but not the "return" one from Thomann, which got sold before I could make a decision. I found a used one for half the current price of a new one, this will definitely serve my needs well!

banjoez - Posted - 02/17/2026:  12:06:55

quote:

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Originally posted by RomanS

A little update:

I did end up getting a Gold Tone OB3 - but not the "return" one from Thomann, which got sold before I could make a decision. I found a used one for half the current price of a new one, this will definitely serve my needs well!

---

Congrats on the OB-3. Haven't heard a bad one yet sound-wise after a good setup. They really honk!!

RomanS - Posted - 02/17/2026:  13:45:11

Right this moment I'm coming back from my fitst band rehearsal with the OB3, sounded & played really well. It came with some upgrades already - spikes & a Kershner tailpiece.
Just have to get used to the weight, it feels twice as heavy than my open back. Gotta look for a good strap.