Gold Tone AC-1 Beginner Banjo – Lightweight Travel | Banjo Warehouse

I’m excited to offer the Gold Tone AC-1 here at Banjo Warehouse – this is the banjo that won “Best in Show / MUST Stock” at the 2016 Summer NAMM show in Nashville, and for good reason. It’s become one of the most popular beginner and travel banjos on the market, and once you pick it up, you’ll understand why.

🎵 Watch & Listen: Check out my sound demo of the AC-1 here on Gold Tone’s Youtube channel:

Price: $299.99

Why the AC-1 is Special

At less than four pounds, this is the lightest full-size banjo you’ll find. That composite rim isn’t just about weight savings – it actually sounds great and holds up to temperature and humidity changes better than wood. Whether you’re traveling, teaching a child, or just want a banjo you can grab and play without worry, the AC-1 delivers.

Gold Tone professionally sets up every AC-1 in their Florida shop before it ships, so it arrives ready to play. And they back it with a three-year transferable warranty, which tells you something about how confident they are in this instrument’s durability.

Who This Banjo is For

Beginners: If you’re just starting out and don’t want to drop $1,500+ on your first banjo, the AC-1 gives you a real instrument that sounds good and won’t frustrate you. The slim neck is comfortable and playable, and the Zero Glide nut helps with intonation right out of the box.

Travelers: Musicians who travel know the struggle – you want to bring an instrument, but lugging a heavy banjo through airports or on camping trips isn’t fun. At under four pounds, the AC-1 solves that problem. It’s durable enough to handle the road and light enough to actually bring along.

Kids: This is an excellent first banjo for children. The weight won’t overwhelm them, it’s durable enough to handle the inevitable bumps and drops, and it sounds good enough that they’ll actually enjoy playing it.

Construction & Features

The composite rim might sound unconventional, but it works beautifully. Paired with Gold Tone’s slim neck profile, you get an instrument that’s comfortable to hold and play for extended periods. The all-black aesthetic with matching neck, rim, Zero Glide nut, and tuner buttons gives it a sleek, modern look.

The Zero Glide nut is a nice touch – it helps maintain better intonation and makes the open strings ring more clearly. Little details like this show that Gold Tone put real thought into making this an economical banjo that doesn’t cut corners where it matters.

Versatility

The AC-1 comes as an open-back banjo, which is perfect for clawhammer, old-time, and folk styles. But if you want to add bluegrass capability, you can purchase a resonator separately to give it more volume and projection. That flexibility means the banjo can grow with your playing.

Tone

For a banjo at this price point, the AC-1 sounds surprisingly good. It has a clear, bright tone with good note separation. It won’t have the depth and complexity of a $3,000 instrument, but it’s musical, pleasant to listen to, and perfectly suitable for learning, jamming, and recording.

Watch the video above to hear exactly what the AC-1 sounds like – no sales pitch, just real playing so you know what you’re getting.

Setup

Every AC-1 gets professionally set up at Gold Tone’s shop in Florida before shipping. When it arrives at Banjo Warehouse, I inspect it to make sure everything is still dialed in. You’ll receive an instrument that’s ready to play right out of the case.

Specifications:

• Brand: Gold Tone
• Model: AC-1
• Price: $299.99
• Configuration: Open-back (resonator available separately)
• Rim: Composite material
• Neck: Maple with slim profile
• Finish: Black
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Nut: Zero Glide
• Tuners: Planetary-style with black buttons
• Head: Standard Remo head
• Bridge: Maple
• Strings: 5-string setup
• Weight: Less than 4 pounds
• Warranty: 3-year transferable warranty from Gold Tone
• Setup: Professional setup in Florida
• Condition: Brand new

What’s Included

• Gold Tone AC-1 banjo
• 3-year transferable warranty
• Professional setup and inspection
• 7-day approval period (full refund minus $125)
• Free shipping to continental US

Why Buy from Banjo Warehouse?

I’m Geoff Hohwald, and I stand behind every banjo we sell with a 7-day approval period. The AC-1 is a fantastic entry point into banjo playing. If it’s not right for you, send it back for a full refund minus $125.

I’ve been selling Gold Tone banjos since my friend Wayne Rodgers  started manufacturing them in the early 1990s. I even interviewed him for Banjo Newsletter back in November 2000 about the growth his company was experiencing! I’ve visited their offices in Titusville, Florida multiple times (see the video above) and their quality and set-up work is top notch. After you get your AC-1, check out my “Learn Bluegrass Banjo with Geoff Hohwald” video on their website.

Local to Yellow Springs or Southwest Ohio? Stop by and try it in person. I’m located near Antioch College and serve the greater Dayton-Springfield-Xenia area.

Got questions? Call me directly at 404-218-8580 or email thebanjowarehouse@gmail.com. I’m always happy to help you find the right banjo for your needs and budget.

The Bottom Line

At $299.99, the Gold Tone AC-1 proves you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a real, playable banjo. Whether you’re a beginner taking your first steps, a traveler who needs something portable, or buying a first instrument for a child, the AC-1 delivers quality, durability, and genuine musical satisfaction at an accessible price.

This is the banjo NAMM recognized as “Best in Show” – and thousands of happy players agree. Don’t let the price fool you – this is a serious instrument that will serve you well for years to come.