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 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.
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.
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.
This is the left-handed version of the Gold Tone BC-350, the Bob Carlin Signature open-back banjo built to Bob's exact specifications — a 12-inch three-ply maple pot, rolled brass flat-bar tone ring, scooped ebony fretboard, and planetary-gear tuners, all finished in natural high gloss with nickel hardware. It ships with a hard case included and is professionally set up at Gold Tone's factory in Titusville, FL. If you're a left-handed player looking for a serious old-time instrument with real pedigree, this is one of the finest options at this price point.
The Gold Tone CB-100 is a purpose-built clawhammer banjo loaded with features you'd expect to find on instruments costing significantly more — rolled brass flat bar tone ring, scooped rosewood fingerboard, planetary tuners, and a clever hidden coordinator rod system for easy action adjustments. It's ideal for the old-time player who wants a serious, road-ready instrument without stepping into the thousand-dollar-and-up tier. Every CB-100 we ship is professionally set up at Gold Tone's factory in Titusville, FL.
The Gold Tone CC-100/L is the left-handed version of one of the most beloved entry-level banjos ever made — more than 25,000 Cripple Creek banjos have found their way into pickers' hands around the world. Built with a hard maple neck and rim, real rosewood fretboard, dual coordinator rods, and a rolled brass tone ring, this instrument punches well above its price class. It ships with a gig bag included and is professionally set up at Gold Tone's factory in Titusville, FL before it leaves our door.
The Gold Tone CC-100R is the best beginner banjo at this price. Maple neck and rim, rolled brass tone ring, two-way adjustable truss rod, and a convertible resonator/openback design. Professionally set up at Banjo Warehouse in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Gig bag included.
The Gold Tone CC-50 Cripple Creek is a beautifully balanced entry-level open-back banjo built for old-time and folk players who want a lightweight, great-sounding instrument without breaking the bank. With a maple neck and rim, rolled brass tone ring, and a ZeroGlide nut, it plays far above its price point right out of the box. Every CC-50 is professionally set up at Gold Tone's factory in Titusville, FL before it heads to your door.