Gold Tone CC-50/L Cripple Creek Left-Handed Openback Banjo with Gig Bag

This is the left-handed version of the Gold Tone CC-50 Cripple Creek Banjo, and if you’re a lefty who’s been struggling to find a quality beginner openback at a fair price, this is exactly what you’ve been looking for. I’ve spent more than 45 years helping people find the right first banjo, and I can tell you honestly: the CC-50/L punches well above its price class. It’s an openback design, which makes it the natural choice for old-time clawhammer and frailing styles — lighter in the hand, warmer and mellower in tone than a resonator banjo, and just plain fun to play. The all-maple construction (neck and rim), 11″ rolled brass flat-bar tone ring, and Remo LC coated head come together to produce a sound that’s surprisingly full and responsive for an entry-level instrument.

What I appreciate about Gold Tone’s approach with the Cripple Creek line is that they didn’t cut corners where it matters. The ZeroGlide nut at 1-3/16″ gives you smooth, accurate intonation right out of the gate — that’s a detail you don’t usually see at this price. The two-way adjustable truss rod means the neck can be properly dialed in for your playing style and your local climate. Sealed guitar-style tuners keep the headstock tidy and stable, and the geared fifth-string peg means no more wrestling with a planetary tuner that slips. Gold Tone builds these in Titusville, Florida, and the quality control reflects that domestic oversight. The Terminator tailpiece, chrome hardware, and black ABS binding give it a clean, classic look — nothing flashy, just a well-made working banjo. A gig bag is included so you can take it anywhere from the living room to the front porch without worry.

Every instrument receives a professional factory setup at Gold Tone in Titusville, Florida before it ships to you — checking and adjusting the action, verifying intonation at the ZeroGlide nut and bridge, inspecting the head tension, and making sure every tuner and coordinator rod is properly set. A lot of beginners don’t realize how much a proper setup changes the experience of learning. When the action is right and the banjo stays in tune, playing actually feels good — and that keeps you coming back. We do this setup work on every instrument we sell, because sending out a banjo that fights the player isn’t something I’m willing to do.

Why Buy From Banjo Warehouse

Banjo Warehouse is an authorized Gold Tone dealer, which means you’re getting a genuine, warranty-backed instrument — not a gray-market or closeout piece. I’ve been in this business since the late 1970s, and I co-own Watch & Learn in Atlanta, where we’ve been helping banjo students get started for decades. I wrote Banjo Primer, which has been rated the number-one beginner banjo method, and I co-designed the Gold Tone OB-Standard, so when I tell you a Gold Tone is worth your money, that’s not a sales pitch — it’s a professional opinion based on real experience with these instruments. We want you to be playing for years, not returning a banjo in frustration. Financing is available through PayPal Pay in 4, Afterpay, and 3, 6, 12, or 24-month plans with no late fees, so you can get the right instrument now without waiting.

Gold Tone CC-50/L Specifications

Handedness	Left-Handed
Nut Width	1-3/16″ ZeroGlide Nut
Tuners	Sealed Guitar-Style
Headstock Buttons	Guitar Style
Neck Material	Maple
Truss Rod	Two-Way Adjustable
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Frets	22
Inlay	Dot
Rim	11″ Multi-Ply Maple
Tone Ring	11″ Rolled Brass Flat Bar
Head	11″ Remo LC Coated Topside
Tension Hoop	11″ Flat Bar
Brackets	18
Coordinator Rods	Single 11″
Tailpiece	Terminator
Bridge	Maple with Ebony Cap
Binding	Black ABS
Armrest	Fits All GT Engraved
Hardware Finish	Chrome Plated
Body Finish	Vintage Brown / Satin
Scale Length	26-3/16″
Weight	5.5 lbs.
String Gauge	.011, .024w, .016, .013, .011
Tuning	GDGBD
Bag	Included
Optional Case	HD14
Setup Location	Gold Tone Factory, Titusville, FL

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the CC-50/L truly set up for left-handed playing, or is it just a standard banjo flipped over?

It’s a genuine left-handed instrument — the neck is built specifically for left-handed players, with the nut cut and the fifth-string tuner positioned correctly for southpaw playing. You don’t need to modify anything or restring a right-handed banjo. It plays naturally in the left-handed position right out of the box, and receives a professional factory setup at Gold Tone in Titusville, Florida before it ships to make sure everything is properly set for you.

Is an openback banjo the right choice for a beginner, or should I start with a resonator?

It depends on the style you want to learn. If you’re drawn to old-time, clawhammer, or folk-style banjo — the kind of music associated with Appalachian traditions, Pete Seeger, or early American string band music — then an openback like the CC-50/L is absolutely the right starting point. It’s lighter, easier to hold for long sessions, and its warmer, softer tone is exactly what those styles call for. If you know from the start that you want to play Scruggs-style bluegrass, a resonator banjo would be the better fit. If you’re not sure yet, the openback is a lower-cost, lower-commitment way to begin — and you can always move up later.

What does the gig bag protect against, and do I need to upgrade to a hard case?

The included gig bag is a padded soft case that will protect the banjo from bumps, dust, and weather during everyday transport — carrying it to a lesson, taking it to a friend’s house, or storing it between sessions. If you’re planning to travel by air, check a bag frequently, or need serious impact protection, I’d recommend upgrading to the Gold Tone HD14 hard case, which is listed as an option for this model. For most beginners playing at home and locally, the included bag is perfectly adequate.

---

Want to know when new banjos arrive? Join our email list: Sign up here.

---

Videos