Historic “Banjolin” Tone with Modern Playability
Harnessing the energy of similar “banjolins” of the 1920s, the MB-850+ mandolin-banjo makes it easier than ever to achieve that iconic banjo spank while staying within the bounds of a standard mandolin’s tuning range. The MB-850+ mandolin-banjo offers a bright, 13-inch maple resonator with an 11-inch flat bar tension hoop and rim combo topped with a Remo LC Coated head. A rolled brass flat bar tone ring with chrome-plated hardware (including a deluxe engraved armrest) tops off the body of the MB-850+ mandolin-banjo with a charming sheen that looks great under stage lights. Up the matching maple neck and speedy rosewood fingerboard are 17 frets and Gold Tone’s proprietary Zero Glide nut, with classic open-gear guitar-style tuning machines at the headstock. The Sweetwater verdict? The MB-850+ mandolin-banjo is as close as you’ll come to historic “banjolin” tone and aesthetics!
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Nailing that timeless tone
While mandolins sound superb on their own, their response doesn’t always mesh perfectly with that bluegrass and country-folk sound you’re playing — that’s where the Gold Tone MB-850+ mandolin-banjo comes into play! Gold Tone’s formula for tonal success consists of a 13-inch maple resonator, an 11-inch maple rim, an 11-inch flat bar tension hoop, an 11-inch rolled brass flat bar tone ring, and a Remo LC Coated head. With such a combination of professional-grade banjo materials, it’s safe to say the sonic result follows suit! You’ll get that chirpy and bright mandolin tuning range with the round, resonant, and loud spank of a traditional banjo body. Plus, the MB-850+ not only blends in well with top-end folk outfits, but it also simultaneously offers the cutting attack of a solo instrument that’s sure to leave a lasting impression!
Appointed for dependable play
While the attention to detail in the body of this instrument is impressive, the complementing half of the MB-850+ mandolin-banjo is its phenomenal playability. Whether you’re fingerpicking, thumb-picking, soloing, or melodizing, the MB-850+ is engineered for smooth playing atop its 17-fret rosewood fingerboard. A patented Zero Glide nut ensures that every detail of your piece projects with maximum tonal purity and note clarity. To keep you in tune, a set of charming open-gear guitar-style tuning machines ensures your intonation never slips, no matter how rowdy the rhythm gets! From the front porch to the practice room, to the studio and the stage, trust in the Gold Tone MB-850+ to rally!
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 MB-850+ Mandolin-Banjo Features:
- Provides the historic hybrid sound of the famous “banjolins” of the past
- 13-inch maple resonator and 11-inch maple rim lay a bright, naturally woody foundation
- Maple resonator is effortlessly removable for open-back playing
- 11-inch flat bar tension hoop, 11-inch rolled brass flat bar tone ring, and a Remo LC Coated head pour on that classic banjo spank and resonance
- 17-fret rosewood fingerboard provides a fast-playing surface for all picking types
- Gold Tone’s patented Zero Glide nut ensures clarity and definition of every note
- Old-school open-gear guitar-style tuning machines keep tabs on your intonation
- Engraved armrest adds an elegant charm and extra degree of comfort
- Professional feel excels in high-stakes performance settings just as well as at home
