Gold Tone AC-1 Lightweight Openback Banjo for Beginners and Travel

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 has become one of the most popular beginner and travel banjos on the market, and once you pick it up, you’ll understand why.

Why the AC-1 is Special

At less than four pounds, this is one of the lightest full-size banjos made. That composite rim is not just about weight savings. It sounds good, and it holds up to temperature and humidity changes better than wood. Whether you are 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, 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 spend four figures 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 ZeroGlide nut helps with intonation right out of the box.

Travelers: Musicians who travel know the problem. You want to bring an instrument, but lugging a heavy banjo through airports or on camping trips is no fun. At under four pounds, the AC-1 solves that. It is durable enough to handle the road and light enough to actually bring along. Browse our other travel and mini banjos if you want to compare.

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

Construction and Features

The composite rim might sound unconventional, but it works. Paired with Gold Tone’s slim neck profile, you get an instrument that is comfortable to hold and play for long stretches. The all-black look, with matching neck, rim, ZeroGlide nut and tuner buttons, gives it a sleek, modern feel.

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

Versatility

The AC-1 comes as an openback banjo, which is perfect for clawhammer, old-time and folk styles. If you want to add bluegrass volume and projection, you can buy a resonator separately. That flexibility means the banjo can grow with your playing.

Tone

For a banjo in this range, the AC-1 sounds surprisingly good. Clear, bright, with good note separation. It won’t have the depth and complexity of a three thousand dollar instrument, but it is musical, pleasant to listen to, and perfectly suitable for learning, jamming and recording.

Setup

Every AC-1 is professionally set up at the Gold Tone factory in Titusville, Florida before it ships. If the banjo is in stock here in Yellow Springs, our banjo tech Tara checks it over a second time before it goes in the box. Some Gold Tone orders ship directly from the distributor with that factory setup. If you would like Tara to go through yours either way, just say so in your order notes and we will have the instrument come through our shop before it goes to you.

Specifications

• Brand: Gold Tone
• Model: AC-1
• Configuration: Openback, resonator available separately
• Rim: Composite material
• Neck: Maple with slim profile
• Finish: Black
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Nut: ZeroGlide
• Tuners: Planetary-style with black buttons
• Head: Remo
• Bridge: Maple
• Strings: 5-string
• Weight: Less than 4 pounds
• Warranty: 3-year transferable warranty from Gold Tone
• Condition: Brand new

What’s Included

• Gold Tone AC-1 banjo
• 3-year transferable Gold Tone warranty
• Professional factory setup
• Free insured FedEx shipping within the continental US
• 7-day return window

Returns and Financing

You have 7 days from delivery to decide. If it is not right for you, send it back. Return shipping is the buyer’s responsibility, and refunds are the purchase price less $125 to cover our original shipping cost. Financing is available at checkout through PayPal Pay in 4, and through Afterpay on instruments under $4,000. Full details are on our store policies page.

Why Buy from Banjo Warehouse?

I’m Geoff Hohwald, and the AC-1 is a fantastic entry point into banjo playing.

I’ve been selling Gold Tone banjos since my friend Wayne Rogers 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 have visited their offices in Titusville, Florida many times, and their quality and setup 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? We are open by appointment, so call ahead and we will have it out and ready for you to play. We serve the greater Dayton, Springfield and Xenia area.

Got questions? Call or text me directly at (404) 218-8580 or email [email protected]. I’m always happy to help you find the right banjo for your needs and budget.

The Bottom Line

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.” Don’t let the price fool you. It is a serious instrument that will serve you well for years.

Just getting started? Browse all our beginner banjos, or see every Gold Tone banjo we carry.