Gold Tone CC-50RP/L Left-Handed Cripple Creek Resonator Banjo with Planetary Tuners and Gig Bag

This is the left-handed version of the Gold Tone CC-50RP Cripple Creek resonator banjo — a model I’ve watched introduce more players to old-time and folk banjo than almost anything else in this price range. Gold Tone builds these at their factory in Titusville, Florida, and they bring a genuinely thoughtful parts list to the table: a hard maple neck, multi-ply maple rim, 11″ rolled brass flat-bar tone ring, and a ZeroGlide nut, Gotoh-style planetary tuners at 1-3/16″ width that makes fretting feel noticeably easier for beginners. For left-handed players especially, having an instrument that’s truly built mirror-image — not just a restrung right-handed banjo — makes a real difference in comfort and long-term progress. If you’re a lefty who’s been putting off starting because you couldn’t find the right instrument, the CC-50RP/L is worth your serious attention.

The CC-50RP’s convertible resonator design gives you flexibility: attach the 13-inch maple resonator for a louder, more projecting bluegrass sound, or remove it for the warm, mellow open-back tone suited to clawhammer and old-time styles. The rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays, GT planetary tuners, geared fifth-string peg, and chrome hardware all punch well above the instrument’s price point. The Terminator tailpiece and single 11″ coordinator rod keep the setup simple and stable. At 5.5 lbs., it’s light enough to play for hours without fatigue — something I’ve always appreciated in a folk banjo. Whether you’re a complete beginner working through your first chords or an experienced picker looking for a reliable open-back second banjo that won’t break the bank, the CC-50RP/L delivers genuine quality at an honest price.

Every instrument receives a professional factory setup at Gold Tone in Titusville, Florida before it ships. For a left-handed player, that hands-on attention is especially valuable, making sure everything is dialed in for a southpaw’s playing angle right from the start. You’re not just getting a factory-fresh banjo in a box; you’re getting a properly playing instrument ready to make music the moment it arrives.

Why Buy From Banjo Warehouse

Banjo Warehouse is an authorized Gold Tone dealer, which means every CC-50RP/L we sell comes with Gold Tone’s full manufacturer warranty and our own commitment to making sure you’re happy with your purchase. I’ve been in this industry for over 45 years — co-owning Watch & Learn in Atlanta since the 1980s, writing Banjo Primer (still the top-rated beginner banjo method out there), and co-designing the OB-Standard with Gold Tone — so when I say this instrument is a solid choice for a left-handed beginner or folk player, that’s not a sales pitch. It’s just what I know from decades of putting banjos in people’s hands. We want you playing, not second-guessing your purchase. Financing is available through PayPal Pay in 4, Afterpay, and 3, 6, 12, or 24-month plans — all with no late fees — so you can get started without waiting.

Gold Tone CC-50RP/L Specifications

Handedness	Left-Handed
Nut Width	1-3/16″ ZeroGlide Nut
Tuners	GT Planetary
Headstock Buttons	Guitar Style
Neck Material	Maple
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Frets	22
Inlay	Dot
Truss Rod	Two-Way Adjustable
Resonator	13″ Maple (Removable)
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
Bridge	Maple with Ebony Cap
Tailpiece	Terminator
Coordinator Rods	Single 11″
Binding	Black ABS
Finish	Vintage Brown / Satin
Hardware	Chrome Plated
Scale Length	26-3/16″
Weight	5.5 lbs.
Tuning	GDGBD
String Gauge	.011, .024w, .016, .013, .011
Bag	Included
Optional Case	HD14

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this banjo truly built left-handed, or is it just a restrung right-handed instrument?

The CC-50RP/L is a purpose-built left-handed banjo — the neck is manufactured specifically for left-handed playing, with the nut slotted correctly and the fifth-string tuner positioned on the correct side. It is not a converted right-handed model. This matters because a properly built left-handed banjo will be more comfortable and will stay in proper setup much more reliably than a restrung instrument.

Can the CC-50RP/L be played as both a resonator and an open-back banjo?

Yes — that’s exactly what makes the CC-50RP the versatile choice it is. The 13-inch maple resonator attaches and detaches easily, so you can play it closed for the louder, more projecting sound needed for bluegrass and ensemble settings, or remove it for the warmer, mellower open-back tone that suits clawhammer and old-time styles. Many players appreciate having that flexibility in a single instrument without needing to own two separate banjos.

What does the factory setup include, and why does it matter for a beginner?

Every instrument receives a professional factory setup at Gold Tone in Titusville, Florida — this includes checking and dressing the nut slots, setting the action at both the 12th and 22nd frets, adjusting head tension, verifying coordinator rod alignment, and checking intonation. For a beginner, this is genuinely important: a poorly set-up banjo is harder to press down, stays out of tune more easily, and can make learning feel much harder than it should be. A properly set-up banjo makes a real, immediate difference in how quickly you progress.

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