Travel & Mini Banjos
Travel and mini banjos pack the sound of a full banjo into a smaller, lighter body, with scales typically around 19 to 21 inches. They’re built for the road, for practice on the couch, and for younger or smaller players who want an easier reach.
Most keep the standard five-string layout, so technique carries straight over from a full-size banjo. Browse our travel and mini banjos below.
The Goodtime Parlor is Deering's short-scale Goodtime: a 23 inch scale and 19 frets on the same 3-ply violin grade maple rim that makes the Goodtime sound so good. Sized for kids, smaller hands and travel, and only about 4 lbs. Made in Spring Valley, California. In stock in Yellow Springs and set up by our banjo tech Tara. $599 with free shipping.
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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.
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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.
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On order from Gold Tone. We don't have this one in the warehouse right now — placing an order reserves you a unit from the incoming batch. Lead times vary by model, so get in touch before you buy and we'll tell you where this run currently stands. Your payment is fully refundable at any time before your order ships, for any reason and with no restocking fee.
The Gold Tone BG-Mini is a genuinely professional 5-string banjo scaled down to an 8-inch head and 19-3/4″ scale length — perfect for young players who are serious about bluegrass, or for any adult who wants the ultimate travel banjo. It features a rolled-brass flat-bar tone ring, planetary tuners, a two-way adjustable truss rod, and a 10-inch mahogany resonator, all in a package that weighs just 5 lbs. Every BG-Mini is professionally set up at Gold Tone’s factory in Titusville, FL.
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This is the left-handed version of the Gold Tone BG-Mini — a fully professional, scaled-down five-string bluegrass banjo built for young pickers and adult travelers alike. Featuring an 8-inch rolled-brass flat-bar tone ring, planetary tuners, and a two-way adjustable truss rod, this is not a toy — it's a real bluegrass instrument in a pint-sized package. Every BG-Mini ships with a professional factory setup from Gold Tone in Titusville, Florida.
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The Gold Tone CC-Mini is everything players love about the legendary CC-100 — maple neck, multi-ply maple rim, rolled brass tone ring — scaled down to an 8-inch body and tuned to C, making it a dream travel banjo or the perfect first instrument for a young picker. At under five pounds and with a 19-3/4" scale length, it plays easily and sounds genuinely musical right out of the box. Every CC-Mini ships with a professional factory setup from Gold Tone in Titusville, Florida so it arrives ready to play.
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This is the left-handed version of the Gold Tone CC-Mini Cripple Creek Mini Banjo — a compact, fully playable 8-inch banjo that's perfect for travel or for young players just starting out. Tuned to C (like the fifth fret of a full-sized banjo), it plays and sounds like a real banjo in a smaller package. Professionally set up at the Gold Tone factory in Titusville, Florida before shipping, so it arrives ready to play.
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The Gold Tone Plucky is a two-and-a-half-pound traveler banjo built with a full-width neck and low action so it plays just like a real banjo — because it is one. Whether you're heading out on the trail, flying across the country, or just want something to strum on the couch, the Plucky delivers genuine playability in a remarkably compact package. It ships with a gig bag and comes professionally set up at Gold Tone's factory in Titusville, FL.
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This is the left-handed version of the Gold Tone Plucky, a featherweight traveler banjo that weighs just 2.6 pounds and goes anywhere you do. With a full-width neck, low action, and an 8-inch maple rim, the Plucky plays like a real banjo — because it is one. Professionally set up at the Gold Tone factory in Titusville, Florida and ready to play the moment it arrives.
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Gold Tone mini/travel banjos are available in a variety of styles, including 4-string, 5-string, and 6-string models, as well as open-back and closed-back designs. Some models also feature additional hardware, such as tone controls and on-board preamps, which further enhance their versatility and sound quality. Overall, Gold Tone mini/travel banjos are an excellent choice for players who want a high-quality banjo that is easy to take with them wherever they go. They are suitable for players of all skill levels and musical styles and are an excellent choice for anyone looking for a portable, versatile banjo.