Gold Tone CC-50RP Cripple Creek Open Back Banjo with Gig Bag

When beginners ask me what open-back banjo they should start on, the Gold Tone CC-50RP is almost always the answer. I’ve been teaching and selling banjos for over 45 years, and I can tell you that the single biggest obstacle for new players isn’t motivation — it’s an instrument that fights them. The CC-50RP was built to remove that obstacle entirely. Its hard maple neck, maple rim, and rolled brass flat-bar tone ring combine to produce a warm, resonant old-time tone that feels natural under your fingers and sits beautifully in a jam circle. At 5.5 pounds, it’s light enough for long practice sessions, and the ZeroGlide nut and sealed guitar-style tuners mean it’ll stay in tune without frustrating you mid-song. Whether you’re picking up a banjo for the first time or you’re an experienced player looking for a second open-back for camping or a writing session, the CC-50RP earns its place.

The open-back design is the heart of old-time, clawhammer, and folk banjo playing, and Gold Tone has spent decades refining this platform. The 11-inch multi-ply maple rim with a flat-bar rolled brass tone ring gives the CC-50RP a softer, rounder voice than a resonator banjo — exactly what you want when you’re playing with fiddles, guitars, and upright bass in a traditional session. The rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, 22 frets, and a 26-3/16″ scale length offer a comfortable, familiar playing experience. The Remo LC Coated head, Terminator tailpiece, and chrome hardware round out a package that punches well above its price point. Gold Tone sets these up at their factory in Titusville, Florida, but we take it a step further before it ever leaves our hands.

Each instrument receives a professional setup at Gold Tone’s factory in Titusville, Florida before it ships to you. The setup includes adjustment of the neck relief with the two-way truss rod, action at the nut and bridge for easy playability, intonation verification, and head tension — so you’re not fighting a stiff, uncomfortable instrument on day one. This setup step makes a real difference — especially for beginners who might not yet know how to tell the difference between a poorly set-up banjo and one that’s simply hard to learn on. The CC-50RP arrives ready to play.

Why Buy From Banjo Warehouse

Banjo Warehouse is an authorized Gold Tone dealer, which means every instrument we sell comes with the full manufacturer’s warranty and the confidence that you’re getting a genuine, factory-approved product. I’m Geoff Hohwald — I’ve been in the banjo world since the late 1970s, co-founded Watch & Learn in Atlanta, and wrote Banjo Primer, which has introduced more beginners to the five-string banjo than just about any other method book out there. I co-designed the Gold Tone OB-Standard, so when I say I know these instruments deeply, that’s not marketing language — it’s just the truth. We carry Gold Tone because they build the best value instruments on the market, and we stand behind everything we ship. 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 playing without waiting.

Gold Tone CC-50RP Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the CC-50RP good for clawhammer and old-time banjo?

Absolutely — the open-back design is the traditional choice for clawhammer, old-time, and folk banjo styles. The rolled brass flat-bar tone ring and maple rim give it the warm, mellow voice that sits perfectly in a traditional session. If you’re learning Scruggs-style bluegrass, you’d eventually want a resonator banjo, but for clawhammer and old-time, the CC-50RP is right at home.

Does the CC-50RP come ready to play, or do I need to set it up?

Each instrument receives a professional setup at Gold Tone’s factory in Titusville, Florida before it ships to you. The setup covers neck relief, action, and head tension so that the instrument is genuinely easy and comfortable to play from the moment you open the box. You won’t need to do anything except tune it up and start playing.

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