The Gold Tone AC-1 is an award-winning beginner banjo that weighs under four pounds, thanks to its innovative composite rim and slim, playable neck. Named 'Best in Show / MUST Stock' at the 2016 Summer NAMM Show in Nashville, it delivers real banjo tone in a durable, travel-friendly package. It ships with a gig bag and a professional setup by our banjo tech Tara at Banjo Warehouse.
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 fretless version of Gold Tone's best-selling AC-1: same lightweight 11-inch composite openback, with a fretless neck for old-time and clawhammer playing. Aquila Nylgut strings, under 4 lbs, gig bag included.
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.
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.
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-4 IT is a 4-string openback Irish tenor banjo built for the GDAE tuning that Irish session players use. Its lightweight composite rim and slim, fast neck make it easy to play and easy to carry, while the ZeroGlide nut keeps it in tune from the first fret to the last. At just 3.5 pounds it is a natural for travel and for new tenor players. Professionally set up at Gold Tone's factory in Titusville, FL and shipped with a gig bag.
The Gold Tone AC-4T is a 4-string openback tenor banjo set up for standard CGDA tuning. Like the rest of the Acoustic Composite line it is light, durable, and easy to play, with a slim neck and a ZeroGlide nut for stable tuning. The composite rim gives it a bright, punchy voice with plenty of projection for its size, and at 3.5 pounds it travels anywhere. Professionally set up at Gold Tone's factory in Titusville, FL and shipped with a gig bag.
The Gold Tone AC-5 is the lightest resonator banjo we carry at $499.99. Composite rim and resonator deliver full bluegrass volume at just 5.5 lbs. Maple neck, ZeroGlide nut, two-way adjustable truss rod, Terminator tailpiece, Remo head. Professionally set up at Banjo Warehouse in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Includes gig bag.
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.