Openback 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 back 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 Gold Tone AC-1 is a lightweight, great-sounding openback banjo built around an innovative composite rim that keeps the total weight under four pounds — making it an ideal first banjo for beginners, kids, and travelers alike. Named 'Best in Show / MUST Stock' at the 2016 Summer NAMM Show, it punches well above its price point. Every AC-1 we ship is professionally set up at Gold Tone's factory in Titusville, FL before it leaves our door.
The Gold Tone AC-1 is a lightweight, great-sounding openback banjo built around an innovative composite rim that keeps the whole instrument under four pounds — making it an ideal first banjo, travel companion, or starter instrument for a younger player. Named "Best in Show / MUST Stock" at the 2016 Summer NAMM Show in Nashville, it punches well above its price point. Every AC-1 we ship has been professionally set up at Gold Tone's factory in Titusville, FL so it plays its best right out of the box.
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-12 is a 12-inch openback 5-string banjo built specifically for old-time and clawhammer players who want a serious instrument without a serious price tag. At just five pounds, it's one of the lightest full-size banjos on the market — perfect for long festival days and casual front-porch sessions alike. Every AC-12 is professionally set up at Gold Tone's factory in Titusville, FL so it plays beautifully right out of the box.
The Gold Tone AC-12A is a featherweight 12-inch openback built specifically for old-time clawhammer playing — generous nut width, a proper frailing scoop, and a composite rim that sounds better than it has any right to at this price. At just five pounds, it's the banjo your shoulders will thank you for after a long weekend of festival jamming. Professionally set up at Gold Tone's factory in Titusville, FL and ready to play the moment it arrives.
The Gold Tone AC-12FL is a purpose-built clawhammer banjo that packs serious old-time credentials into a featherweight five-pound package. A 12-inch composite rim, ZeroGlide nut, frailing scoop, and two-way truss rod give beginners and festival veterans alike everything they need right out of the box. Includes a gig bag and ships to you professionally set up at Gold Tone's factory in Titusville, FL.
This is the left-handed version of the Gold Tone AC-1, the award-winning acoustic composite openback banjo that won Best in Show at the 2016 Summer NAMM Show. Weighing under four pounds, it's an ideal first banjo for left-handed beginners, younger players, or anyone who wants a lightweight, travel-friendly instrument that actually sounds great. Every AC-1 is professionally set up at Gold Tone's factory in Titusville, FL to play comfortably right out of the box.
This is the left-handed version of the Gold Tone AC-1, the award-winning beginner banjo that took home "Best in Show / MUST Stock" honors at the 2016 Summer NAMM Show. Weighing under four pounds, it pairs a composite rim with a slim, playable nato neck for a banjo that sounds great, travels easily, and won't wear out a new player's enthusiasm. Professionally set up at Gold Tone's factory in Titusville, FL, this lefty AC-1 arrives ready to play right out of the gig bag.
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.