OB-275

This is not a Chinese-made banjo! As you know, quality bluegrass banjos less than $1,400 are made in China. Not with the OB-275!  We teamed up with a very small woodworking factory (think 8 workers) in Korea and for a year and taught them our techniques to establish a model superior to any Chinese product in this price range.

Our first ever BELL BRONZE PRE-WAR ALLOY Tone Ring. For over a year we have been experimenting with bronze alloys trying to find one for the perfect tone. The pre-war tone ring (the holy grail of bluegrass tone) was actually at least three different bronze alloy formulas, depending on the year of manufacture. We discovered these 3 alloys, had tone rings made from each one, and chose the bronze alloy content with the most penetrating tone.

Our GTR TONE RING SHAPE has a rounded top edge, which compared to the typical sharp angle on the common flat top ring adds more contact area for vibration transfer. This allows the head to be tuned tighter if desired. The original and our ring look and sound amazingly similar.

The DESIRED FEATURES of the OB-275 include a 3-ply maple Canadian tone rim, cast flange, maple neck, mahogany resonator, ebony fingerboard, double adjusting truss rod, and superior tuners.

The OB-275 has PERFECT FITTING PARTS. This small factory is capable of the perfect tone ring fit, the perfect neck to pot fit, and a perfectly straight neck. Before delivery, we do all the final assembly and adjustments here in Florida. We check every adjustment to make sure the set-up is optimum for tone and playability. PLUS this comes standard with our LIFETIME WARRANTY, which is also transferable. Not even domestic builders can offer that.

By Wayne Rogers                   

(Formerly the OB-175 - The name was changed to the OB-275 in 2011 but is the same model)

Wayne, Just picked up my OB-175 at ... in ..., PA.  What a great banjo!!  Love the bronze tone ring sound and the quality of the workmanship is fantastic.  Loud, bright and warm all at the same time.  Love it!  Looked and played many banjo's in this price range and this is the best one without question, hands down.  I have a GME-4 on order and can't wait until that arives!  Keep up the good work. Doug Doug Leaman Kennett Square, PA - Doug Leaman Kennett Square