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

If you’ve ever wondered what a banjo sounds like with an extra low G string rounding out the bottom end, the Gold Tone AC-5+1 is your invitation to find out. Tuned gGDGBD — the familiar five-string open G tuning with a low G added below — this genuine six-string banjo opens up chord voicings, bass lines, and melodic ideas that a standard five-string simply can’t reach. Gold Tone built it specifically for the curious player on a budget: someone who wants to experiment with an unconventional instrument without committing to a high price tag for something that might share stage time with a full instrument collection.

The AC-5+1 is built on Gold Tone’s well-regarded AC-series platform, which means the rim and resonator are crafted from a durable composite material that resists humidity swings better than wood while still producing a bright, lively tone. The nato neck carries a rosewood fingerboard with 18 frets, dot-and-star inlays, and a 1-3/4″ ZeroGlide nut for smooth, buzz-free open strings. Gold Tone planetary tuners keep all six strings reliably in tune, and a 12″ Remo LC Renaissance head sits over the composite rim to deliver that characteristic banjo snap. Chrome hardware, black ABS binding, a vintage-style tailpiece, and a satin black finish give the instrument a clean, understated look that works on a stage or around a campfire.

This banjo ships factory-fresh direct from Gold Tone, where every instrument receives a professional setup at their Titusville, Florida shop before it leaves — so it arrives ready to play straight out of the box. As an authorized Gold Tone dealer, we back the instrument with the full manufacturer warranty. A gig bag is included. Our team is here to answer setup questions, help you dial in your string gauges for alternate tunings, or point you toward the right accessories before and after your purchase.

Why Buy From Banjo Warehouse

Banjo Warehouse is an authorized Gold Tone dealer, which means every instrument we sell is a genuine new product backed by the full Gold Tone manufacturer warranty — not a gray-market or refurbished piece. The shop is run by Geoff Hohwald, author of the Banjo Primer and co-designer of the Gold Tone OB-Standard, with over 45 years in the banjo world. That depth of experience means our team can offer real guidance on whether the AC-5+1 fits your playing goals, how to get the most out of the gGDGBD tuning, and what accessories complement it best. Financing is available through PayPal Pay in 4, Afterpay, and 3, 6, 12, or 24-month plans — all with no late fees — so you can spread out the cost and start playing sooner.

Unlike the scoop-fretboard AC-5+1S, the AC-5+1 has a standard full fretboard.

Gold Tone AC-5+1 Specifications

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
Tuners	GT Planetary
Headstock Buttons	Black
Rim	12″ Composite
Head	12″ Remo LC Renaissance
Brackets	16
Tension Hoop	12″ Flat Bar
Bridge	Maple with Ebony Cap
Tailpiece	Vintage Tailpiece
Coordinator Rods	Single 12″
Armrest	Black Wooden Fits-All
Binding	Black ABS
Hardware Finish	Chrome Plated
Finish	Black / Satin
String Gauge	.010, .042w, .024w, .015, .012, .010
Weight	5 lbs.
Bag	Included
Setup	Gold Tone factory setup, Titusville, FL

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the AC-5+1 different from a guitar-banjo or a standard 5-string banjo?

The AC-5+1 is neither a guitar-banjo nor a standard five-string — it’s its own distinct instrument. A guitar-banjo has six strings tuned like a guitar (EADGBE), while a standard five-string banjo has a short drone fifth string and is tuned GDGBD. The AC-5+1 keeps the traditional five-string open G tuning and short fifth string exactly as-is, then adds a sixth string tuned to a low G below the fourth string. The result is gGDGBD: you retain everything familiar about bluegrass and clawhammer playing while gaining a deeper bass register that opens up new chord shapes and melodic runs.

Will standard five-string banjo accessories — picks, straps, capos — work on the AC-5+1?

Most standard five-string accessories work just fine. Fingerpicks and thumbpicks sized for a five-string fit the same way, and a standard banjo strap attaches normally. The main consideration is the capo: because the AC-5+1 has six strings instead of five, a standard partial capo designed to skip the short fifth string may not seat correctly. We recommend checking with us before purchasing a capo, and we’re happy to point you toward options that work well with this instrument.

---

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

---

Videos