Gold Tone CC-100R Cripple Creek 5-String Convertible Resonator Banjo
$799.99
The Gold Tone CC-100R is the best beginner banjo at this price. Maple neck and rim, rolled brass tone ring, two-way adjustable truss rod, and a convertible resonator that comes off for true openback playing. Part of Gold Tone’s Cripple Creek line, in stock in Yellow Springs, and set up twice before it ships. Choose the build pictured here or Gold Tone’s current one at the same price, just say which in your order notes. Gig bag included.
In stock
Watch the demo
At a Glance
- Handedness
- Right-Handed
- Style
- Resonator Banjo
- Strings
- 5
- Scale Length
- 26-3/16"
- Tone Ring
- Brass
- Pickup
- No
- Made In
- China
- Weight
- 6.5 lbs
The Gold Tone CC-100R is one of the best beginner banjo at this price.
It is the only budget-friendly, full-featured 5-string banjo that delivers a maple neck with two-way adjustable truss rod, separate rosewood fretboard, hard-rock maple rim with dual coordinator rods, rolled brass tone ring, and a convertible resonator/openback design. The CC-100R is part of Gold Tone’s Cripple Creek line.
One Banjo, Two Styles
The natural-blonde resonator removes easily for true openback playing. Learn clawhammer, switch to Scruggs-style bluegrass, and explore different sounds without buying a second instrument. The CC-100R grows with you.
Hear It
Two Versions, Same Price
You can order this banjo exactly as photographed here, or as Gold Tone currently builds it. Both are the same price, and the difference is in two parts. The banjos on our shelf are an earlier build with A-style tuners and a Terminator tailpiece. Current production from Titusville comes with GT Planetary tuners and a Presto tailpiece. Everything else, from the maple neck and rim to the rolled brass tone ring, is the same banjo.
Note which one you want in your order notes at checkout. If you do not say, we will send you one of the banjos pictured here, which we have in stock now.
Rolled Brass Tone Ring
At this price, most banjos skip the tone ring entirely. The CC-100R includes an 11″ rolled brass tone ring that delivers warm, balanced tone with surprising projection, whether the resonator is on or off.
Setup
Every CC-100R is set up at the Gold Tone factory in Titusville, Florida. The banjos pictured here are in stock in Yellow Springs right now, so yours crosses our bench as well. Our banjo tech Tara checks the action, neck relief, and intonation and sets it up a second time before it goes in the box. If you order the current build instead, we bring that one in from Gold Tone, and you can ask in your order notes for Tara to set it up here before it ships to you.
Left-Handed and Pickup Options
Gold Tone builds the CC-100R as a left-handed model, and also with a factory-installed pickup or a wider neck. None of those are on the shelf, but we can order any of them. Call or text Geoff and tell him what you need.
This is an extraordinary banjo for beginners. Easy to play, built to last, and a steal at this price.
Specifications
Neck
| Feature | Spec |
|---|---|
| Material | Maple |
| Truss Rod | Two-way adjustable |
| Fingerboard | Rosewood |
| Frets | 22 |
| Inlay | Snowflake |
| Nut | 1-3/16″ ZeroGlide |
| Scale Length | 26-3/16″ |
| Tuners | A-style in stock, GT Planetary on current builds |
Body
| Feature | Spec |
|---|---|
| Rim | 11″ multi-ply maple |
| Tone Ring | 11″ rolled brass flat bar |
| Head | 11″ Remo LC coated topside |
| Coordinator Rods | Dual 11″ |
| Tension Hoop | 11″ flat bar |
| Finish | Natural high gloss |
| Brackets | 24 |
| Binding | Black ABS |
Hardware
| Feature | Spec |
|---|---|
| Bridge | Maple with ebony cap |
| Tailpiece | Terminator in stock, Presto on current builds |
| Armrest | Gold Tone engraved |
| Plating | Chrome |
Dimensions and Extras
| Feature | Spec |
|---|---|
| Weight | 6.5 lbs |
| Strings | .011, .024w, .016, .013, .011 |
| Tuning | GDGBD |
| Gig Bag | Included |
| Case | HD15 (optional) |
Highlights
- Rolled brass tone ring for warm, projecting tone
- Convertible resonator/openback design
- Your choice of tuners at checkout, same price either way
- Maple neck and rim construction
- Two-way adjustable truss rod
- Snowflake fretboard inlay
- Gig bag included
Why Buy From Banjo Warehouse?
We are not a big-box retailer. We are banjo people. Call or text Geoff at (404) 218-8580 and you will be talking to someone who has played thousands of these.
Browse more Gold Tone banjos | Shop all beginner banjos | Read our Gold Tone buying guide
2 reviews for Gold Tone CC-100R Cripple Creek 5-String Convertible Resonator Banjo
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Darlene Bynum (verified owner) –
This was one of the easiest purchases I have ever completed. I had a few questions and they were immediately answered. The banjo was in excellent condition upon its arrival and it was shipped very timely.
Amy B. (verified owner) –
Wow.. outstanding service. Thank you, Geoff, for accommodating our last minute needs. My son LOVES his beautiful banjo.