Gold Tone BB-400+ Banjo Bass with Pickup and Case

There are very few instruments that make me stop and say, “Who else could have built this?” — and the Gold Tone BB-400+ is one of them. I’ve been around banjos my entire adult life, co-designed the OB-Standard with Gold Tone, and written more banjo method books than I can count, and even I’ll admit the banjo bass is something special. The BB-400+ is built around a 14-inch three-ply maple rim topped with a rolled-brass flat-bar tone ring that gives it a voice sitting somewhere between a vintage upright bass and a fretted electric — warm, resonant, and full of character. It tunes and plays just like a standard four-string bass guitar (EADG, 32″ scale), so any bassist can pick it up immediately. The Custom Remo Renaissance head keeps that mellow, slightly muted articulation that makes this instrument so appealing for bluegrass, Americana, old-time, jazz, and acoustic settings alike.

What really sets the BB-400+ apart from its sibling models is the built-in internal sliding magnetic pickup with its own volume control knob, mounted discreetly on the head. You can go from fully acoustic to amplified without clipping anything to the head or wrestling with a soundhole transducer — it’s an elegant solution that Gold Tone has clearly refined over time. The slim maple neck carries a rosewood fingerboard with 20 frets and snowflake inlays, and the sealed bass-style tuning machines hold tune reliably through long gigs. The straight-pull BB-400TP tailpiece makes string changes quick and hassle-free. Chrome hardware throughout, cream and black ABS binding, and a natural high-gloss finish give the whole instrument a clean, professional look on stage. A hotdog-style armrest on the 14-inch rim adds comfort for long playing sessions, and the included hard shell case means your investment is protected from the moment it ships.

Every BB-400+ receives a professional factory setup at Gold Tone in Titusville, Florida before it ships. The action is set, the neck relief is checked via the two-way adjustable truss rod, the nut slots are verified, the bridge is seated properly for intonation across the full 32-inch scale, and the pickup and volume control are tested to make sure everything is functioning exactly as it should. You’re not getting a banjo bass straight out of a box — you’re getting one that has been professionally set up and evaluated.

Why Buy From Banjo Warehouse

Banjo Warehouse is an authorized Gold Tone dealer, which means every BB-400+ we sell comes with the full manufacturer warranty and is backed by a real relationship with the Gold Tone team. I’ve been in this industry since the late 1970s — I was Deering Banjo’s number-one dealer back in 1980, and I’ve spent decades helping players at every level find exactly the right instrument. I wrote Banjo Primer — still the top-rated beginner banjo method available. That depth of experience means when you buy from us, you’re not just clicking “add to cart” — you’re getting the benefit of someone who has touched thousands of banjos and knows what separates a great setup from a mediocre one. Financing is available through PayPal Pay in 4, Afterpay, and 3, 6, 12, or 24-month payment plans with no late fees, so there’s a way to make this instrument work for just about any budget.

Gold Tone BB-400+ Specifications

Model	BB-400+
Nut Width	1-3/4″
Tuners	Sealed Bass-Style
Tuner Buttons	Metal
Neck Material	Maple
Truss Rod	Two-Way Adjustable
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Frets	20
Inlay	Snowflake
Scale Length	32″
Rim	14″ 3-Ply Maple
Tone Ring	14″ Rolled Brass Flat Bar
Head	14″ Remo HC Renaissance
Armrest	Hot Dog 14″
Brackets	32
Bridge	Maple with Ebony Cap
Tailpiece	4-String BB-400TP
Binding	Cream ABS / Black ABS
Hardware Finish	Chrome Plated
Body Finish	Natural / High Gloss
Pickup	SMP Internal Sliding Magnetic with Volume Control
Tuning	EADG
String Gauge	.105w, .080w, .065w, .046w
Weight	9.6 lbs.
Case	Hard Shell Case Included
Setup	Professionally set up at Gold Tone factory

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the BB-400+ as a fully acoustic instrument without plugging in?

Absolutely. The BB-400+ is a completely functional acoustic instrument on its own — the 14-inch maple rim, rolled-brass tone ring, and Remo Renaissance head produce a naturally warm, projecting bass tone that works great for unplugged rehearsals, small acoustic settings, and recording. The internal sliding magnetic pickup is there whenever you need it, but it doesn’t compromise the acoustic performance at all. You get the best of both worlds.

Is this hard for a regular bass guitarist to learn?

Not at all — and that’s honestly one of the most appealing things about it. The BB-400+ is strung and tuned exactly like a standard four-string electric or acoustic bass (EADG), with a 32-inch scale that’s comfortable for players accustomed to a conventional bass. If you can play bass guitar, you can play the BB-400+ from the first moment you pick it up. The main adjustment is getting used to the acoustic response and the slightly different feel of the Renaissance head, but most bassists find it intuitive within minutes.

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