OB-175 - gloss mahogany companion to OB-150
This just arrived in my email and I had to check it out. Gold Tone has just done with its OB150 (which was actually its first step in upping its game even before the Twanger) what Recording King did when it launched the RK-36 as a companion to the RK-35.
Gold Tone's new OB-175 is a gloss mahogany version of its close relative matte maple OB-150. Thanks to inflation and tariffs, it's a $1400 instrument (case included). But so is a new RK-35 if you can find one.
In the past month, Gold Tone revamped its lineup at the $1000 rim shoes and tone hoop level, with the redesigned BG-150F to to go along with the previously released BG-175F.
In between these, Gold Tone offers the $1100 OB100, modeled on the original RB100: 3-ply rim, one-piece flange, brass tone hoop.
I'm not in the market. But for those who are, it's a great time to be a banjo buyer. Especially someone looking for a step up from any beginner instrument.
Note: I have no connection to Gold Tone. I just like what they're doing these days.
Edited by - Old Hickory on 09/29/2026 13:02:20
Aside from the wood and exterior finish, notably, the 150 (standard) neck is 1-3/16" and the 175 is currently only offered in 1-5/16". The 150 does offer "wide neck" model that is 1-5/16"
And for reference, the twanger is right in between at 1-4/16".
The sample video they posted sounds amazing
I agree, Gold Tone is doing some very interesting work. I think recently bought a used OB-Bela and after a good set up, the sound and feel is great! I didn’t think I would like Gold Tone banjos, but they speak for themselves.
I didn't read all the specs, so I totally missed the wider nut. That's really interesting.
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