A Treasure Trove of Traditional Tone
Constructed with premium hand-selected tonewoods, high-performance traditional hardware, and a dedication to ultimate folk craftsmanship, the PS-250 is Gold Tone's cream-of-the-crop 4-string plectrum banjo. As such, this exceptional instrument is a choice option for guitar-based melodics, beginner fingerpicking scenarios, or adding rhythmic folk tone to your performances. Apart from its superb folk voicing, the PS-250 harbors premium appointments such as a bell brass tone ring, Zero Glide bone nut, 24 upgrade brackets, and a vintage banjo cast tailpiece. Likewise, the PS-250's maple/ebony bridge facilitates a low-action playing field, providing players with enhanced intonation support. Topped with a Gold Tone engraved armrest, white ABS binding, and chrome-plated hardware, the PS-250 bears the look, feel, and sound of a tried-and-true specialty folk classic.
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Maple and mahogany: a folk luxury
What's the secret to magnificent folk tone? Ask any Sweetwater Americana musician, and you'll get a consistent response: maple wood. As a company that knows maple construction front to back, Gold Tone built the PS-250 from only the finest handpicked tonewoods for ultimate sonics and reliability. An 11-inch, 3-ply maple neck ensures a balanced yet semi-tight tone, reminiscent of early-style banjos for use in jazz and dance-inspired performances. The inclusion of a 14-inch mahogany resonator adds warmth and tightness to the PS-250's tone. Moreover, an additional Remo banjo head and bell brass tone ring, both essential banjo building blocks, catalyze harmony among all PS-250 components. In particular, the inclusion of bell brass helps the PS-250 earn its "special" status. Prized as a highly musical material for centuries, bell brass is a favorite material for church bells, resonator guitars, and banjos, too!
Zero Glide: patented precision makes playability smooth
Gold Tone’s Zero Glide nut is a tiny piece of hardware that enhances instrument performance drastically. The patented design pairs a sustain-boosting bone nut with a hard nickel-silver “zero fret” for enhanced reliability and sound. Zero Glide nuts grace the headstocks of electric guitars, acoustic guitars, banjos, and even ukuleles. The benefits are clearly universal! Zero Glide’s precision-cut string slots further reduce string contact by a staggering 93% at the nut — meaning fewer tuning breaks and better resonance, especially when playing gets aggressive. Zero Glide also narrows sonic differences between fretted- and open-string notes while solving common intonation issues for innovative accuracy without compromising character.
Gold Tone: a legacy of music
The origins of Gold Tone go back to the folk music scene of the ’70s, when musicians Wayne and Robyn Rogers opened a small music shop. Fifteen years later, they founded Gold Tone Banjos in Titusville, Florida. Their first product, the TB-100 banjo, was designed by Wayne. As demand for this critically acclaimed instrument increased, the company expanded its offerings to include a selection of fretted instruments that combine modern innovation and timeless vintage design. The goal? To inspire all musicians, from beginners to professionals, to realize their musical dreams. Today, Sweetwater is pleased to offer you Gold Tone’s exciting range of 4-, 5-, and 6-string banjos, banjo ukuleles, metal- and wood-bodied resonator guitars, Weissenborn Hawaiian steel guitars, and mandolins.
Gold Tone PS-250 Plectrum Special 4-string Resonator Banjo Features:
- 4-string plectrum resonator banjo — perfect for guitar-based melodics, rhythmic additions, beginner fingerpicking, and more
- Maple neck and 11-inch, 3-ply maple rim deliver decisive folk tone with exceptional balance and sustain
- Onboard Remo HC Smooth head and mahogany resonator provide ample warmth and attack for a ripe, authentic output
- Premium 11-inch bell brass tone ring for enhanced sonics and weight distribution
- High-performance banjo cast tailpiece
- Upgrade brackets (24 count) ensure durability with focused, professional tone
- Smooth rosewood fingerboard with elegant hearts and flowers inlays
- True bone Zero Glide nut and maple/ebony bridge facilitate a comfortable string action and incredible intonation stability
- Factory tuned to DGBD — easily tune up to DGBE for guitar-inspired playing styles
- Gorgeous chrome plated hardware and GT Master Planetary tuning machines
- Receives a full setup at Gold Tone’s Florida facility for quality assurance
