Detail 01
Open back
No resonator to reflect sound forward. Quieter, softer and warmer, with more of the tone going behind you.
Product detailSKU #1274228072143
Gold ToneCB-100 Open Back Banjo Natural
brightarticulatebluegrasscountryfolk
1/10
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
An open-back banjo at 4 pounds with a wide 1-1/4 inch nut. Built for clawhammer and old-time picking rather than loud bluegrass ensemble work.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Clawhammer and frailing players wanting a mellower, softer voice
- Porch and small-room playing where volume is not the point
- Anyone who wants a light instrument for long sessions
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Bluegrass players needing volume to cut through a full band
- Players who want the punch a resonator back provides
- Anyone with small hands used to narrow neck spacing
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
4 pounds
Light enough to hold for hours. Most resonator banjos weigh two to three times this.
Detail 03
1-1/4 inch nut width
Wide string spacing at the nut, which gives right-hand fingers room for clawhammer and frailing strokes.
Detail 04
26 inch scale length
Long scale keeps string tension firm, which sharpens attack and keeps notes clear rather than loose.
Detail 05
Natural finish
Thin clear finish over the wood. Shows grain and dings more readily than an opaque gloss.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01Head tension and bridge position need checking after shipping
- 02Clawhammer style typically wants no picks, unlike bluegrass three-finger rolls
- 03Head tension drifts with humidity and needs occasional adjustment
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Is this loud enough to play with a band?
Open-back banjos are quieter by design. In a full bluegrass band with guitar and mandolin you will likely be buried without a mic.
02What is the difference from a resonator banjo?
A resonator throws sound forward and adds volume and punch. Open back is softer and warmer, with more tone escaping behind the player.
03Is it good for clawhammer?
Yes. The open back and 1-1/4 inch nut spacing are both what clawhammer players look for, and 4 pounds makes long sessions easy.
04Does the wide nut make it harder to play?
For chording with small hands, somewhat. For right-hand picking accuracy, the extra spacing helps. It suits fingerstyle more than fast chord changes.
Reference
Full specifications
The complete catalog record, organized around the decisions musicians make when comparing gear.
2 detailsPlayability
- Width of Neck Under Nut
- 1-1/4 inch
- Scale Length
- 26
2 detailsBody & build
- Color
- Natural
- Color Finish
- Gold
2 detailsSize & weight
- Weight
- 4
- Total Length
- 25 inch
