Gold Tone BUB Baritone-Scale Banjo Ukulele with Case

If you already play guitar, the Gold Tone BUB Baritone-Scale Banjo Ukulele might just be the most approachable banjo-family instrument you’ll ever pick up. Its 19-inch baritone scale length and DGBE tuning mirror the top four strings of a standard guitar exactly, so your chord shapes work right out of the box — but now they come wrapped in that bright, punchy, unmistakably percussive banjo-uke tone. Whether you’re a guitarist looking for a new texture, a ukulele player who wants more projection, or simply someone drawn to the cheerful chime of a banjo uke, the BUB is a genuinely fun and versatile instrument at a very accessible price.

Gold Tone built the BUB around the same 8-inch multi-ply maple rim shared across their entire banjo-ukulele choir — soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone — so the pot assembly is tried, tested, and consistent. The maple neck carries a rosewood fingerboard with 20 frets, cream ABS binding, and mini dot inlays, all topped by a ZeroGlide nut at 1-3/8 inches width. Open-gear guitar-style tuners hold pitch reliably and are easy to turn with wet or cold fingers. The 8-inch Remo MC Smooth head provides a focused, clear attack, while the flat maple resonator plate projects the sound forward and keeps the instrument light at just 3 pounds. A maple bridge with ebony cap gives you a clean, articulate break point, and chrome hardware throughout ties the vintage brown satin finish together beautifully. At under 500 dollars, hard shell case included, this is a complete, well-thought-out package.

Each instrument receives a professional setup at Gold Tone’s factory in Titusville, Florida before it ships to you. Most banjo ukes in this price range ship straight from a warehouse without anyone ever touching them. This one doesn’t. That setup means you open the case and play, not fiddle with a setup for an hour before you can enjoy it.

Why Buy From Banjo Warehouse

Banjo Warehouse is an authorized Gold Tone dealer, which means your BUB comes with the full manufacturer warranty and the peace of mind that you’re getting a genuine, current-production instrument — not a grey-market or diversion unit. I’ve been in this industry for more than 45 years. I co-own Watch & Learn in Atlanta, I wrote Banjo Primer (still the top-rated beginner banjo method on the market), and I co-designed the OB-Standard with Gold Tone, so I know this brand’s instruments from the inside out. When we carry something at Banjo Warehouse, it’s because I believe in it. The BUB earns its place. If you’d like to spread the cost out, we offer financing through PayPal Pay in 4, Afterpay, and 3, 6, 12, and 24-month plans — no late fees on any of them. Questions before you buy? Reach out. I’m happy to talk banjo uke.

Gold Tone BUB Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

I already play guitar — will I be able to pick up the BUB quickly?

Yes, and that’s really the BUB’s strongest selling point. The baritone scale is tuned DGBE, identical to the top four strings of a guitar, so every chord voicing and scale pattern you already know transfers directly. The string spacing feels a little narrower than a guitar neck, but most guitarists are comfortable within a few minutes. The only real adjustment is the shorter scale and the lighter touch the banjo head rewards — you don’t need to dig in hard to get a great sound.

How does the BUB differ from Gold Tone’s other banjo ukulele models?

Gold Tone makes four banjo ukulele sizes — soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone — all sharing the same 8-inch maple rim and pot hardware. The only meaningful difference between them is scale length. The soprano is shortest and brightest, the baritone is longest and warmest, and the BUB’s 19-inch scale gives it the most guitar-like feel of the four. If you want re-entrant high-G ukulele tuning, look at the soprano or concert models. If you want standard low-to-high linear tuning and guitar-chord compatibility, the BUB is your instrument.

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