Gold Tone BT-1000 6-String Banjitar with Pickup and Bag (Left-Handed)

If you already play guitar and you’ve been curious about the banjo’s snap and ring, the Gold Tone BT-1000 Left-Handed Banjitar is one of the most direct paths I know of to get there. This is the left-handed version of the BT-1000 — same great instrument, flipped for southpaw players — and it’s built around a 25-1/2″ scale length with a radiused rosewood fingerboard, so everything about the feel will be instantly familiar if you’re coming from guitar. Tune it EADGBE, pick it with your fingers or a flatpick, and you get that unmistakable banjo attack layered on top of chords and voicings you already know. The 12″ 3-ply maple rim, rolled brass flat-bar tone ring, and Remo Renaissance head combine to deliver a focused, bright tone that projects beautifully both acoustically and through a PA.

What sets the BT-1000 apart from Gold Tone’s entry-level banjitars is the SMP+ pickup system built right in. This isn’t an afterthought — it’s a clean, consistent transducer that works well with any DI box or acoustic amplifier, and it makes the BT-1000 genuinely gig-ready out of the box. The ZeroGlide nut at 1-11/16″ helps keep open-string intonation honest, the dual 12″ coordinator rods keep the neck angle stable over time, and the chrome Terminator tailpiece gives you real downward string pressure on that maple-and-ebony-capped bridge. Twenty-six brackets, black ABS binding, and a high-gloss natural finish round out a package that looks and feels like a professional instrument at a price that won’t keep you up at night. The included gig bag means you’re ready to head to rehearsal the moment it arrives.

Each instrument receives a professional setup at Gold Tone’s factory in Titusville, Florida before it ships to you.

Why Buy From Banjo Warehouse

Banjo Warehouse is an authorized Gold Tone dealer, which means your BT-1000/L comes with the full manufacturer’s warranty and the confidence that you’re getting a genuine, current-production instrument. I’ve spent more than 45 years in the banjo world — co-owning Watch & Learn in Atlanta since the 1980s, writing Banjo Primer (still the top-rated beginner banjo method), and co-designing the OB-Standard with Gold Tone — so when I say this instrument punches well above its price, I mean it from experience, not from a spec sheet. We want you playing, not worrying about your purchase. 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 the cost however works best for you.

Gold Tone BT-1000/L Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to know how to play banjo to get started on the BT-1000/L?

Not at all — that’s actually the whole point of a banjitar. The BT-1000/L is tuned and strung exactly like a standard guitar (EADGBE), so if you already play guitar, you can pick this up and start making music immediately. You bring your existing chord shapes, scales, and right-hand technique; the banjo rim and tone ring do the rest, giving your playing that bright, percussive banjo character without any new learning curve.

Is the SMP+ pickup passive or active, and what does it plug into?

The SMP+ is a passive piezo-style pickup, so it doesn’t require a battery. It outputs a standard 1/4″ signal that works well with an acoustic guitar amplifier, a DI box into a PA, or most acoustic preamp pedals. For best results I’d recommend running it through a preamp with a high-impedance input — something like a simple acoustic DI — to get the fullest, most natural tone in a live setting.

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