Gold Tone CC-100+ Cripple Creek Banjo with Bag

If I had to recommend one banjo to a serious beginner or an intermediate player who wants a reliable, great-sounding instrument without spending a fortune, the Gold Tone CC-100+ open-back banjo Cripple Creek would be at the very top of my list. I’ve been playing and teaching banjo for over 45 years — I wrote Banjo Primer, the #1-rated beginner banjo method on the market — and I’ve watched thousands of students find their footing on instruments far less capable than this one. The CC-100+ is not a starter throwaway. It’s a real banjo, built with the kind of thoughtful specs that used to cost twice the price: a hard maple neck and rim, a genuine rosewood fretboard that can be re-fretted when the time comes, dual 11″ coordinator rods for stable neck alignment, a ZeroGlide nut for spot-on open string intonation, and a rolled brass flat bar tone ring that gives you that bright, punchy Scruggs-style snap. Over 25,000 Cripple Creek banjos have gone out into the world, and the reason is simple — they just work.

What sets the CC-100+ above other banjos in this price bracket is the attention Gold Tone puts into the details. The curly maple headstock veneer, the black ABS binding, the 24-bracket tension system, the Terminator tailpiece, the sealed guitar-style tuners with B-style buttons — none of these are afterthoughts. The 11″ Remo LC Coated head gives you a warm, balanced tone right out of the box, and the 26-3/16″ scale length hits the sweet spot for comfortable playability whether you’re working through rolls or learning to melodic pick. Chrome hardware throughout keeps things clean and consistent. This is a banjo that rewards you as your playing grows, and it ships with a gig bag included so you’re road-ready from day one.

Every CC-100+ receives a professional factory setup at Gold Tone in Titusville, Florida before it ships. The neck angle is checked and adjusted, head tension is set, bridge placement and height are optimized, nut slots are dressed, and the action is set low and comfortable right out of the box. You will not need to visit a shop or fight with this banjo to make it playable. It arrives ready to play.

Why Buy From Banjo Warehouse

Banjo Warehouse is an authorized Gold Tone dealer, which means every CC-100+ we sell comes with full manufacturer warranty support and the confidence that you’re getting a genuine instrument — not a gray-market or refurbished unit. When you buy from us, you’re getting the expertise of someone who has spent a lifetime in this instrument. We offer flexible financing through PayPal Pay in 4 and 3, 6, 12, and 24-month plans — all with no late fees, plus Afterpay — so you can get the banjo you actually want without compromising.

Gold Tone CC-100+ Specifications

Model	CC-100+
Tuning	GDGBD (Standard Open G)
Scale Length	26-3/16″
Nut Width	1-3/16″ ZeroGlide Nut
Neck Material	Maple
Fingerboard	Rosewood (Black Bound)
Frets	22
Inlay	Snowflake
Truss Rod	Two-Way Adjustable
Headstock Veneer	Curly Maple
Tuners	Sealed Guitar-Style, B-Style Buttons
Rim	11″ Multi-Ply Maple
Tone Ring	11″ Rolled Brass Flat Bar
Head	11″ Remo LC Coated Topside
Tension Hoop	11″ Flat Bar
Brackets	24
Coordinator Rods	Dual 11″
Bridge	Maple with Ebony Cap
Tailpiece	Terminator
Binding	Black ABS
Finish	Natural / High Gloss
Hardware	Chrome Plated
Armrest	Fits All GT Engraved
String Gauge	.011, .024w, .016, .013, .011
Weight	6 lbs.
Bag	Included
Optional Case	HD14
Setup Location	Gold Tone Factory, Titusville, FL

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the CC-100+ suitable for a complete beginner, or is it more of an intermediate instrument?

It’s genuinely both. I’ve recommended this banjo to first-time players for years because it plays easily and doesn’t fight you while you’re learning — the low action, ZeroGlide nut, and comfortable string spacing make a real difference when your fingers are still building calluses. But it also has enough quality in the construction — the brass tone ring, the dual coordinator rods, the re-frettable rosewood board — that players who already know what they’re doing won’t feel like they’ve compromised. A lot of players buy this as their second or third banjo and are surprised by how much it holds its own.

What’s the difference between the CC-100 and the CC-100+?

The CC-100+ is the upgraded version of the standard CC-100 and includes the ZeroGlide nut and the Terminator tailpiece, both of which make a noticeable difference in playability and sustain. The ZeroGlide nut in particular improves open-string intonation significantly — it’s a small detail that experienced players immediately notice. If you’re deciding between the two and your budget allows, the plus version is the one I’d reach for every time.

Does this banjo come with a case or just a bag?

The CC-100+ comes standard with a gig bag, which offers solid protection for travel and storage. If you want a hardshell case — which I’d recommend if you’re gigging or checking it on a flight — the HD14 case is available as an optional add-on. Just reach out to us at Banjo Warehouse and we can bundle it in for you.

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