Gold Tone CC-BG vs CC-100R: Which Cripple Creek Should You Buy?
The Gold Tone CC-BG and CC-100R are both Cripple Creek banjos, both have resonators, and both are under $800. So what’s the difference? The short answer is the tone ring. The CC-100R adds a rolled brass flat bar tone ring, dual coordinator rods, a rosewood fingerboard, and a ZeroGlide nut. Those upgrades change the sound, the playability, and how far the banjo can take you. Geoff Hohwald compares both side by side in the video below.
Watch: CC-BG vs CC-100R Sound Comparison
The Cripple Creek is Gold Tone’s most popular beginner banjo family, with over 25,000 sold worldwide. Both the CC-BG and CC-100R are built on the same multi-ply maple rim with a resonator, but the CC-100R upgrades the internal components in ways that make a real difference in tone, tuning stability, and long-term playability. Gold Tone sets up every Cripple Creek at their factory in Titusville, Florida before it ships. At Banjo Warehouse, our banjo tech Tara gives every banjo an additional professional setup before we send it to you.
CC-BG vs CC-100R: Side-by-Side Specs
| Feature | CC-BG | CC-100R |
|---|---|---|
| Tone Ring | None | Rolled Brass Flat Bar |
| Resonator | Yes | Yes |
| Coordinator Rods | Single | Dual 11″ |
| Neck | Maple | Maple |
| Fingerboard | Maple | Rosewood |
| Nut | Standard | 1-3/16″ ZeroGlide |
| Nut Width | 1-3/16″ | 1-3/16″ |
| Rim | Multi-Ply Maple | Multi-Ply Maple |
| Frets | 22 | 22 |
| Inlay | Snowflake | Snowflake |
| Truss Rod | Two-Way Adjustable | Two-Way Adjustable |
| Head | Remo Coated | Remo LC Coated |
| Bridge | Maple with Ebony Cap | Maple with Ebony Cap |
| Tailpiece | Cripple Creek | Terminator |
| Binding | Black ABS | Black ABS |
| Scale Length | 26-3/16″ | 26-3/16″ |
| Weight | ~6 lbs | 6 lbs |
| Included | Gig Bag, Strap, Picks, Tuner | Gig Bag |
| Factory Setup | Yes (Titusville, FL) | Yes (Titusville, FL) |
Which One Should You Buy?
Buy the CC-BG if you want the most affordable way to get into a resonator banjo. The CC-BG comes as a starter package with a gig bag, strap, picks, and a clip-on tuner, so you don’t need to buy anything else to start playing. It doesn’t have a tone ring, which means the sound is lighter and less projecting than the CC-100R, but for a first banjo at this price it’s remarkably playable. If you’re not sure whether you’ll stick with the banjo and you don’t want to invest heavily before you know, the CC-BG is the right choice.
Buy the CC-100R if you want a banjo you won’t outgrow for years. The rolled brass flat bar tone ring is the single biggest upgrade over the CC-BG. It gives the head something to vibrate against, which produces a brighter, louder, more resonant sound with better sustain. The dual coordinator rods keep the neck angle stable and adjustable. The rosewood fingerboard is smoother under the fingers than maple and can be re-fretted when the time comes. The ZeroGlide nut improves open-string intonation. These are the features that separate a banjo you’ll eventually replace from a banjo you’ll keep playing for a long time.
The honest answer: if your budget allows, the CC-100R is the better long-term investment. The tone ring alone makes it a fundamentally different instrument. But the CC-BG is not a toy. It’s a real resonator banjo that sounds good and plays well, and it gets you started at a price that doesn’t require a conversation with your spouse.
What About Setup?
Both the CC-BG and CC-100R receive a professional factory setup at Gold Tone’s shop in Titusville, Florida before they ship. At Banjo Warehouse, our banjo tech Tara gives every Cripple Creek an additional professional setup before we send it to you. Tara trained at the Huber Banjo factory under Steve Huber and Bennie Boling. A proper setup matters even more on a beginner banjo than on a professional instrument, because a banjo that fights the player is a banjo that ends up in a closet.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the CC-100R worth the extra money over the CC-BG?
Yes, if your budget allows. The rolled brass flat bar tone ring on the CC-100R is the biggest difference. It produces a brighter, louder sound with more sustain. The CC-BG doesn’t have a tone ring, so the sound is thinner and less projecting. The CC-100R also adds a rosewood fingerboard, dual coordinator rods, a ZeroGlide nut, and a Terminator tailpiece. These upgrades give you a banjo you won’t outgrow for years.
Can I play bluegrass on the CC-BG?
Yes. The CC-BG has a resonator, which gives it more volume and projection than an openback banjo. It won’t have the tone ring-driven punch of the CC-100R, but it’s a real bluegrass banjo that will work in a jam session. Many players have started on the CC-BG and played it for years before upgrading.
What does a tone ring actually do?
A tone ring is a metal ring that sits on top of the rim, under the head. When you play, the head vibrates against the tone ring, which amplifies and shapes the sound. A banjo without a tone ring (like the CC-BG) relies on the rim alone to produce sound, which results in a lighter, less complex tone. The rolled brass flat bar tone ring on the CC-100R adds brightness, volume, and sustain.
Will I outgrow the CC-100R quickly?
Most players won’t outgrow the CC-100R for years. Over 25,000 Cripple Creeks have been sold, and many players still gig with theirs. The tone ring, rosewood fingerboard, and dual coordinator rods give it the structural quality to grow with you. When you’re ready for a professional-grade instrument, you’ll know, but the CC-100R will take you a long way before that day comes.
What’s included with the CC-BG vs the CC-100R?
The CC-BG comes as a starter package that includes a gig bag, strap, picks, and a clip-on tuner. The CC-100R comes with a gig bag only. If you buy the CC-100R, you’ll need to pick up a strap, picks, and a tuner separately. Both are available with an optional hard case (Gold Tone HD14).
Does Banjo Warehouse set up Cripple Creek banjos before shipping?
Yes. Every Cripple Creek we sell gets an additional professional setup by our banjo tech Tara before it ships. Tara trained at the Huber Banjo factory under Steve Huber and Bennie Boling. Gold Tone also sets up every Cripple Creek at their factory in Titusville, Florida. That means your banjo has been through two professional setups before it reaches you. Free shipping anywhere in the United States. Call Geoff at (404) 218-8580 with questions about either model.