For sale is my fabulous BELA FLECK “MY BLUEGRASS HEART” SIGNATURE MODEL BANJO by Goldtone. This one came off the line in November of ’22, so it’s an early-ish example in pristine like-new condition.

As the signature banjo of virtuoso musician Béla Fleck, the Gold Tone "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 powerful but delicate sound that commands attention. The Bluegrass Heart features the famous “radiused fingerboard” originally built for Bela by New York luthier Legend John Monteleone (are you listening, guitar pickers?). It also features 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 this Gold Tone Bela "Bluegrass Heart."
Here is a very cool demo video made by Wes Corbett (banjo player in the Sam Bush band), showing off one of the early Bluegrass Heart prototypes. Take a moment and drool!

youtube.com/watch?v=qmzMATkjuRo

I have not made any mods on the banjo – no railroad spikes or 5th string capo. I’m including the original paperwork along with strap, a spare set of D’Addario strings (to Bela’s specs), and a brand new “Fleck Tune” tuner. Also included is the original flashy and super-solid white custom hardshell case. The banjo was purchased at Telluride Music in the Colorado high country’s bluegrass mecca. My asking price feels fair (to me ?); nose around and you’ll find these going new for close to $4K now. But feel free to make offers.

48-state U.S. buyers only please. Shipping be expedited, obsessively well-packed, and mid-week only (no winter warehouses, thanks). Thanks and good luck!