Gold Tone CC-50TR/L Cripple Creek Traveler Left-Handed Open-Back Banjo with Gig Bag

If you’re a left-handed player looking for a genuine entry point into old-time or folk banjo, the Gold Tone CC-50TR/L is exactly the instrument I’d hand you. This is the left-handed version of Gold Tone’s CC-50TR Cripple Creek Traveler — purpose-built for players who fret with their right hand — and it gets a lot of things right that budget banjos typically get wrong. The open-back design gives it that warm, woody, slightly muted tone that old-time players prize. The multi-ply maple rim and rolled brass flat-bar tone ring work together to produce a clear, balanced sound that doesn’t feel thin or tinny the way some entry-level banjos do. Add comfortable dot inlays, sealed guitar-style tuners that actually hold their pitch, and a two-way adjustable truss rod — features you don’t always see at this price — and you have a banjo that’s genuinely fun to play from day one.

I’ve been around a lot of beginner banjos over the years — forty-five-plus years in this industry will do that — and the Cripple Creek line has consistently punched above its weight. Gold Tone sets these up at their factory in Titusville, Florida, and the attention to playability is evident. It’s light enough to practice with for long sessions without fatigue. The Terminator tailpiece and chrome hardware round out a package that looks and feels more substantial than its price tag suggests. A gig bag is included so you’re ready to carry it to a lesson or a jam the same day it arrives.

The CC-50TR/L is the left-handed version of the CC-50TR Traveler. It uses the same open-back 11-inch pot as the CC-50, but Gold Tone eliminated the first two frets to make a shorter neck with a 23-9/16″ scale, where the standard CC-50 has a 26-3/16″ scale. That makes it a good size for kids and an easy banjo to take on the road. Because of the shorter scale, a railroad spike capo may mean retuning the fifth string.

Every CC-50TR/L is professionally set up at Gold Tone’s factory in Titusville, Florida and ships directly from Gold Tone, so it arrives ready to play.

Why Buy From Banjo Warehouse

Banjo Warehouse is an authorized Gold Tone dealer, which means every instrument we sell is covered by Gold Tone’s full manufacturer warranty and you’re getting a genuine, new instrument — not a gray-market or diverted unit. We offer flexible financing so price is never a barrier to getting started — PayPal Pay in 4 and 3, 6, 12, and 24-month plans are all available with no late fees, plus Afterpay. Any questions before you buy? Just reach out.

Gold Tone CC-50TR/L Specifications

Handedness	Left-Handed
Nut Width	1-3/16″
Tuners	Sealed Guitar-Style
Neck Material	Maple
Truss Rod	Two-Way Adjustable
Inlay	Dot
Rim	11″ Multi-Ply Maple
Tone Ring	11″ Rolled Brass Flat Bar
Head	11″ Remo LC
Tension Hoop	11″ Flat Bar
Brackets	18
Coordinator Rods	Single 11″
Bridge	Maple with Ebony Cap
Tailpiece	Terminator
Binding	Black ABS
Finish	Vintage Brown / Satin
Hardware	Chrome Plated
Scale Length	23-9/16″
String Gauge	.011, .024w, .016, .013, .011
Bag	Included
Body Style	Open Back
Factory Setup Location	Titusville, FL, USA

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this banjo truly set up for left-handed players, or is it just a standard banjo with reversed strings?

This is a purpose-built left-handed model, not a modified right-handed instrument. The CC-50TR/L is manufactured by Gold Tone specifically for left-handed players, with the neck, headstock, and hardware oriented correctly for a player who frets with the right hand. Every CC-50TR/L is professionally set up at Gold Tone’s factory in Titusville, Florida and ships directly from Gold Tone, so it arrives ready to play in left-handed configuration.

Is an open-back banjo the right choice for a beginner, or should I look at a resonator model?

It depends entirely on the style you want to play. Open-back banjos like the CC-50TR/L are the traditional choice for old-time and folk music — they have a warmer, softer tone and are lighter to hold. If you’re aiming for bluegrass or Scruggs-style picking, a resonator banjo projects more volume and has a brighter, punchier sound. If you’re not sure yet, the open-back is a perfectly reasonable starting point, and many players never feel the need to move on from it.

What is the difference between the Gold Tone CC-50TR/L and the CC-50/L?

The CC-50TR/L is the short-scale traveler version. Gold Tone eliminated the first two frets for a shorter neck with a 23-9/16″ scale, where the standard CC-50 has a 26-3/16″ scale. Choose the CC-50TR/L for a child or for travel. If you want a full-size left-handed neck, choose the Gold Tone CC-50/L.

What financing options are available if I don’t want to pay the full amount upfront?

We offer several flexible options: PayPal Pay in 4 and longer-term plans of 3, 6, 12, or 24 months — all with no late fees, plus Afterpay. You can choose whichever option works best for your budget at checkout.

---

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