Gold Tone AC-6+ Acoustic Composite Banjitar with Pickup and Gig Bag

If you have ever wanted the bright, percussive snap of a banjo but already know how to play guitar, the Gold Tone AC-6+ Banjitar is the instrument that bridges that gap instantly. Tuned to standard guitar tuning (EADGBE) and featuring an 11-inch head with a 25-1/2-inch scale length, it feels completely familiar under your fingers from the first chord. The composite rim and 13-inch composite resonator are the real story here: molded from a strong, consistent material that resists humidity swings and road abuse far better than wood equivalents at this price point, they produce a focused, lively tone that punches well above the AC-6+’s entry-level price tag. Whether you are a guitarist curious about the banjo world, a songwriter chasing a rootsy acoustic texture, or a performer who needs an affordable and reliable stage instrument, this banjitar delivers.

Gold Tone added real value to the plus version of the AC-6 by including their SMP — Sliding Magnetic Pickup — built directly into the instrument with its own volume control. You do not need an additional clip-on pickup or an awkward afterthought installation; just plug in and you are ready for the stage or the recording interface. The maple neck with radiused rosewood fingerboard and 21 frets gives you clean intonation all the way up the neck, while the ZeroGlide nut at 1-11/16 inches keeps open strings in tune with fretted notes — a detail that makes a noticeable difference for beginners still developing their ear. The Terminator tailpiece, flat-bar tension hoop, sealed guitar-style tuners, and chrome hardware round out a package that is genuinely well-specified for the price. Gold Tone does all of their own final setup work in Titusville, Florida, and the quality control at this price tier is something I have watched improve steadily over the years I have worked with them.

Every AC-6+ receives a professional factory setup at Gold Tone in Titusville, Florida before shipping — checking neck relief with the two-way truss rod, setting the head tension, optimizing the bridge placement for accurate intonation, and dressing any fret ends that need attention. Your instrument ships ready to play, not ready to fiddle with.

Why Buy From Banjo Warehouse

Banjo Warehouse is an authorized Gold Tone dealer, which means your AC-6+ comes with the full manufacturer warranty and you are buying a genuine instrument — not a gray-market or refurbished unit. I have been in the fretted instrument business for over 45 years; I co-own Watch & Learn in Atlanta, wrote Banjo Primer (widely recognized as the number-one beginner banjo method), and I co-designed the Gold Tone OB-Standard, so when I say I know these instruments inside and out, I mean it in the most literal sense. I carry Gold Tone’s line because I genuinely believe in what they build. Financing is available through PayPal Pay in 4, Afterpay, or longer 3, 6, 12, and 24-month plans — no late fees — so there is no reason to wait on the instrument you want.

Gold Tone AC-6+ Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to know how to play banjo to play the AC-6+?

Not at all — that is actually the whole point of this instrument. The AC-6+ is tuned to standard guitar tuning (EADGBE), so if you already play guitar, every chord, scale, and lick you know transfers directly. You get that unmistakable banjo snap and brightness without any new learning curve. It is a fantastic way for guitar players to add a different sonic color to their performances or recordings.

Is the built-in pickup good enough for live performance?

Yes, absolutely for most live situations. Gold Tone’s SMP sliding magnetic pickup is a purpose-built solution that sits in the head and captures the acoustic energy of the instrument cleanly. The on-board volume control gives you quick adjustment without reaching for a pedal. I have heard these used at open mics, small club gigs, and recording sessions to great effect. If you are playing larger venues with a full PA, you may eventually want to experiment with additional reinforcement, but for the overwhelming majority of players buying this instrument, the SMP will handle everything you need.

What does Banjo Warehouse’s setup actually involve?

Every instrument receives a professional factory setup at Gold Tone in Titusville, Florida: checking and adjusting neck relief using the two-way truss rod, verifying and optimizing head tension, setting correct bridge placement for accurate intonation across the neck, inspecting fret ends, stretching and tuning the strings to pitch, and ensuring the instrument feels and sounds right. For a banjitar specifically, proper intonation setup is especially important since guitar players expect precise tuning all the way up the neck — this is dialed in before shipping.

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