Banjo Setup & Maintenance
My Nephew Took His Banjo to the Grand Canyon — Here’s What He Brought
Mar
My nephew Jake is a beginner banjo player. He’s been learning with my book, The Banjo Primer, and when he told me he was heading out to the American Southwest, he asked if he should bring his Gold Tone CC-100R along.
I told him yes. Throw it in the gig bag and go.
He did. And he came back with these photos.
That’s the Grand Canyon South Rim at sunset. That’s a $799 banjo. And that’s exactly the kind of instrument the CC-100R is — one you can take anywhere without worrying about it.
A Beginner Banjo Built for the Road
The Gold Tone CC-100R is the best beginner banjo at its price point, and part of the reason is how well-suited it is for travel. It weighs 6.5 lbs — light enough to carry on a hike, small enough to stow in an overhead bin. A gig bag is included. There’s no reason to leave it home.
The convertible resonator design means Jake can pop the resonator off and play clawhammer-style openback, or put it back on and dig into Scruggs-style bluegrass. One banjo, two sounds, wherever he ends up.
What Makes It Sound Good
At this price point, most banjos skip the tone ring entirely. The CC-100R doesn’t. It has an 11-inch rolled brass tone ring that gives it warm, balanced tone with real projection — whether the resonator is on or off. The maple rim and neck give it a bright, responsive voice that holds up in any setting. A two-way adjustable truss rod means the neck stays true whether you’re in the desert heat or the Ohio snow.
Speaking of which — here’s what it sounds like. First, here I am playing it in the Arizona desert:
And here I am playing it in the snow in Ohio:
Same banjo. Different conditions. It just plays.
Every One Is Set Up by Hand
Every CC-100R we sell at Banjo Warehouse is set up by hand at our shop in Yellow Springs, Ohio by our banjo tech Tara. We adjust the action, check the neck relief, and verify intonation before it ships. Factory setup is fine. Ours is better. You’ll feel the difference the moment you play it.
Specifications
| Price | $799.99 |
| Neck | Maple with rosewood fingerboard |
| Truss Rod | Two-way adjustable |
| Rim | 11″ multi-ply maple |
| Tone Ring | 11″ rolled brass |
| Resonator | Convertible (removable for openback) |
| Weight | 6.5 lbs |
| Includes | Gig bag, professional setup, free shipping |
Take One With You
If you’ve been looking for a beginner banjo you won’t have to baby — one that sounds good, plays well, and can go wherever you go — the CC-100R is it. Jake took his to the Grand Canyon. He’s learning on it with The Banjo Primer. I’ve played mine in the desert and in the snow. It’s that kind of instrument.
Shop the Gold Tone CC-100R at Banjo Warehouse →
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Gold Tone CC-100R good for beginners?
Yes. The CC-100R is one of the best beginner banjos available at its price point. It has features — rolled brass tone ring, two-way adjustable truss rod, maple neck and rim — that most banjos at this price skip entirely. And every one we sell is professionally set up before it ships.
Can you travel with the Gold Tone CC-100R?
Absolutely. At 6.5 lbs and with a gig bag included, it’s one of the most travel-friendly banjos at any price. My nephew Jake just took his to the Grand Canyon and brought it back without a scratch.
What is a convertible resonator banjo?
A convertible resonator banjo has a removable resonator — the wooden back piece that projects sound toward the audience. With the resonator on, you get the louder, brighter tone used in bluegrass. With it off, you have an openback banjo suited for clawhammer and old-time playing. The CC-100R lets you do both.
Does the CC-100R come with a case?
A gig bag is included. An optional hardshell case (HD15) is available separately.
Where is the CC-100R set up?
Every CC-100R we sell is set up by hand at Banjo Warehouse in Yellow Springs, Ohio by our banjo tech Tara. We adjust action, neck relief, and intonation before it ships.
