Open Back Banjos
Open-back banjos harken back to the roots of this iconic stringed instrument. You’ll hear echoes of the past in the tones, with the rustic sounds of folk songs and tunes from a bygone age. Open-back banjos deliver smooth and mellow tones so admired by clawhammer players.
Open-back banjos produce a much softer sound than a resonator banjo because the sound is absorbed by the body and clothing of the player. Because these banjos have no back, they are also considerably lighter than those with a back panel. Each instrument in our collection features quality materials and precision construction.
Whether you’re new to banjo playing or have years of experience and prefer the mellow tone and lightweight banjo playing experience, you’ll find a suitable model among our open ack banjos for sale.
The Deering Artisan Goodtime Openback is the vintage-inspired upgrade to the classic Goodtime. Dark red mahogany stain, midnight maple fingerboard with vintage artisan pearloid inlays, planetary tuners, and spikes at 7, 9, and 10. Nickel hardware. At only 4.5 lbs, it is lightweight enough to travel with and comfortable enough for hours of practice. Handcrafted in Spring Valley, California. $949 with free shipping and professional setup by our banjo tech Tara. Made in the USA.
The most recommended banjo by banjo teachers. 3-ply violin grade maple rim, Art Deco hardwood inlays, only 4.5 lbs. Handcrafted in Spring Valley, California. $599 with free shipping and professional setup by our banjo tech Tara. Made in the USA. 7-day guarantee.
The Deering Goodtime Six is a 6-string, steel-string banjo that tunes like a guitar. Handcrafted in Spring Valley, California. Maple fingerboard, 3-ply violin grade maple rim, comfortable guitar-style neck. $899 with free shipping and professional setup by our banjo tech Tara. Made in the USA.
The Gold Tone AC-1 won "Best in Show" at NAMM for good reason - it's the lightest full-size banjo you'll find at under 4 pounds. Perfect for beginners, travelers, and kids, this composite rim banjo delivers surprisingly good tone with a slim, comfortable neck and Zero Glide nut. Professionally set up with a 3-year transferable warranty. At $299.99, it's the smart way to start playing banjo.
This is the left-handed version of the Gold Tone AC-1 — the award-winning openback 5-string that won Best in Show at the 2016 Summer NAMM. Weighing under four pounds thanks to its innovative composite rim, it's one of the best-sounding and most playable entry-level banjos on the market, and now southpaw players can enjoy it too. Professionally set up at the Gold Tone factory in Titusville, Florida before shipping, so it plays great right out of the box.
The Gold Tone AC-4P is a lightweight, open-back plectrum banjo built for players who want a genuine, playable instrument without breaking the bank. Its 26 1/8" scale length and CGBD tuning make it the natural choice for jazz, classic banjo, and folk styles, and the composite rim delivers a warm, "plunky" vintage tone that feels right at home in any of those genres. A deluxe gig bag is included, and every AC-4P ships from Banjo Warehouse already set up and ready to play.
This is the left-handed version of the Gold Tone AC-5 — a genuinely impressive beginner bluegrass banjo that punches well above its price point. The composite rim and resonator deliver a punchy low end and clear, ringing highs that surprised me the first time I picked one up. It ships with a padded gig bag and is professionally set up at the Gold Tone factory in Titusville, Florida before shipping.
The Gold Tone AC-Mini is a compact, lightweight 8-inch mini banjo that delivers surprising volume and punch for its size and price. Built with a durable composite rim, nato mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard, and a two-way adjustable truss rod, it's an ideal starter banjo for kids, travelers, or anyone curious about the instrument. Every AC-Mini ships with a professional factory setup from Gold Tone in Titusville, Florida, so it's ready to play the moment it arrives.
The Gold Tone AC-Traveler is a short-scale, lightweight 5-string banjo built around a tough composite rim — perfect for road trips, beach jams, younger players, or anyone who wants a real banjo that can take a beating. At just 4 lbs. and with a 23-1/2" scale, it plays easily and travels anywhere. Every AC-Traveler receives a professional factory setup at Gold Tone in Titusville, Florida so it's ready to play the moment it arrives.
The Gold Tone BC-350 is a professional-grade old-time banjo designed to Bob Carlin's exact specifications, featuring a 12-inch three-ply maple pot, rolled brass flat-bar tone ring, scooped ebony fretboard, and planetary-gear tuning machines — all in a package built for serious old-time and clawhammer players. Every BC-350 receives a professional factory setup at Gold Tone in Titusville, Florida before it ships. A hardshell case is included.
The Gold Tone CC-100 Cripple Creek open-back banjo is one of the most trusted entry-level banjos on the market, with over 25,000 sold worldwide — and for good reason. Built with a hard maple neck and rim, real rosewood fretboard, dual coordinator rods, and a rolled brass flat bar tone ring, it outperforms everything else in its price range. Every CC-100 ships with a professional factory setup from Gold Tone in Titusville, Florida, so it plays beautifully right out of the box.
The Gold Tone CC-100+ Cripple Creek is one of the most trusted entry-to-intermediate banjos ever made — with over 25,000 sold worldwide, it consistently outperforms everything else in its price range. Built with a hard maple neck and rim, real rosewood fretboard, dual coordinator rods, and a rolled brass flat bar tone ring, this is a banjo you can genuinely grow into. Every CC-100+ ships with a professional factory setup from Gold Tone in Titusville, Florida.