Gold Tone AC-5+1 Acoustic Composite 6-String Banjo with Gig Bag

There are instruments you’ve always been curious about but never quite justified buying — the Gold Tone AC-5+1 is Gold Tone’s answer to exactly that feeling. This is a genuine “six-string five-string” banjo, tuned gGDGBD: your familiar five-string open G tuning (GDGBD) with an added low G string below it. That extra bass string opens up chord voicings, melodic runs, and compositional ideas that simply aren’t available on a standard five-string, and it does so at a price point that makes the experiment genuinely risk-free. If you’ve ever been intrigued by the sonic territory Gold Tone explored with their discontinued Lojo banjo but weren’t ready to make a significant investment in a specialty instrument, the AC-5+1 is the instrument that was designed specifically for you.

Like every banjo in Gold Tone’s AC series, the AC-5+1 is built around a 12-inch composite rim and resonator — a material choice that gives you surprising liveliness and projection while also being exceptionally stable across temperature and humidity changes. The nato neck carries a rosewood fingerboard with dot-and-star inlays, 18 frets, and a two-way adjustable truss rod, so the neck stays exactly where you set it. A ZeroGlide nut at 1-3/4″ width keeps intonation honest all the way up the neck, and Gold Tone’s planetary tuners hold pitch reliably — important when you’ve got six strings to keep in tune. The maple bridge with ebony cap, Remo LC Renaissance head, vintage tailpiece, and chrome hardware round out a package that punches well above its price. The satin black finish gives it a clean, understated look that feels right at home on a stage or at a jam.

Every instrument receives a professional factory setup at Gold Tone in Titusville, Florida before it ships — checking neck relief with the truss rod, setting action at the nut and bridge, inspecting intonation, and making sure every string speaks clearly. At this price point, a proper setup makes an enormous difference in playability, and they take that seriously for every instrument that ships.

Why Buy From Banjo Warehouse

Banjo Warehouse is an authorized Gold Tone dealer, which means every AC-5+1 we sell comes with full manufacturer warranty support and you’re never dealing in grey-market inventory. I’ve been working with banjos for over 45 years — I co-designed the OB-Standard with Gold Tone, wrote Banjo Primer (still the top-rated beginner banjo method on the market) — so when I say I know these instruments well, that’s not a marketing line. I know Gold Tone’s lineup deeply, and the AC-5+1 is a genuinely smart buy for any player who wants to explore six-string territory without overcommitting. We offer flexible financing through PayPal Pay in 4, Afterpay, and 3, 6, 12, or 24-month plans — all with no late fees — so getting this banjo in your hands today is easier than you might think.

Gold Tone AC-5+1 Specifications

Model	AC-5+1
Tuning	gGDGBD (standard 5-string + low G)
Scale Length	26-3/16″
Nut Width	1-3/4″ ZeroGlide Nut
Neck Material	Nato
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Frets	18
Inlay	Dot with Star
Truss Rod	Two-Way Adjustable
Rim	12″ Composite
Head	12″ Remo LC Renaissance
Resonator	Composite
Bridge	Maple with Ebony Cap
Tailpiece	Vintage Tailpiece
Tension Hoop	12″ Flat Bar
Brackets	16
Coordinator Rods	Single 12″
Binding	Black ABS
Armrest	Black Wooden Fits-All
Hardware Finish	Chrome Plated
Body Finish	Black / Satin
Tuners	GT Planetary
Headstock Buttons	Black
String Gauge	.010, .042w, .024w, .015, .012, .010
Weight	5 lbs.
Gig Bag	Included

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need special picks or technique to play the AC-5+1, or can I approach it like a standard five-string?

You can absolutely approach the AC-5+1 with standard five-string technique — Scruggs-style rolls, clawhammer, melodic, whatever you play now will still work fine on strings 2 through 6. The added low G string (the sixth, lowest-pitched string) is there when you want it for bass runs, chord fills, and extended melodic ideas. Most players just incorporate it gradually as they get comfortable with where it sits. There’s no mandatory technique change; it’s more about expanding what you already do.

Is a 26-3/16″ scale length comfortable for players used to a standard 5-string banjo?

Yes — a standard five-string banjo typically runs around 26-1/4″ to 26-3/8″, so the AC-5+1’s 26-3/16″ scale is right in the familiar range. The 1-3/4″ nut width is also standard, so the string spacing won’t feel foreign. The main physical difference you’ll notice is simply that there are six tuners on the headstock and six strings under your picking hand, not five — but the feel of the neck itself is very close to what five-string players already know.

What does the composite rim actually sound like compared to a wood rim?

Composite rims in Gold Tone’s AC series are livelier and more resonant than you might expect from the price point, with a slightly warmer, rounder character compared to a bright maple pot. They’re also extremely stable — they don’t swell or contract with humidity the way wood does, which means your setup stays consistent. For a banjo you might take camping, travel with, or leave in a car overnight, that stability is a real practical advantage alongside the tonal qualities.

---

Want to know when new banjos arrive? Join our email list: Sign up here.

---

Videos