Gold Tone WL-250 Whyte Laydie 5-String Openback Banjo

Improving an instrument’s performance has always been a builder’s goal, and the banjo is no exception. The Gold Tone WL-250’s Whyte Laydie tone ring (in various spellings) provides quick response with fast decay, and that’s helpful in frailing and claw-hammer styles.

The Gold Tone WL-250 Whyte Laydie is an old-style open back banjo with a built-in frailing scoop on the fingerboard, and of course it uses the three-piece White Laydie tone ring. It’s tastefully decorated, with a gloss finish over dark stained maple, and cloud inlays appear on the ebony fingerboard.

Here’s Gold Tone on the WL-250 Whyte Laydie open back banjo:

“The Gold Tone Whyte Laydie WL-250 produces the plunky yet focused tone that’s long been a standard for Old Time and folk music.

This banjo features an accurate replica of the classic three-piece Whyte Laydie tone ring, mated with a half-inch maple rim for maximum air chamber volume. The maple neck has a vintage heel design, a Fairbanks-style headstock shape, GT Master planetary tuners. Stylized cloud inlays adorn the bound ebony fretboard which terminates in a frailing scoop. The eleven-inch pot carries a Remo Renaissance head, a No-Knot tailpiece and dual coordinator rods for a solid neck fit and easy adjustments.

A complete pro setup at the Gold Tone Factory in Florida helps to make the WL-250 Gold Tone’s most popular openback banjo ever. Available as left-handed model.”

The WL-250 is sold with a hard-shell Everest case.