Gold Tone CC-Banjitar Cripple Creek Banjitar with Pickup and Gig Bag

I’ve spent more than four decades around banjos, and one question I hear constantly from guitarists is: “How do I get that banjo sound without learning a whole new instrument?” The Gold Tone CC-Banjitar is the most straightforward, best-built answer to that question I’ve found at anywhere near this price. Tuned to standard EADGBE and set up with a 25-1/2″ guitar scale length, the CC-Banjitar plays exactly like a guitar — same chord shapes, same muscle memory — but it rings with that bright, punchy banjo character that no guitar can replicate. Gold Tone launched this model as their very first banjo guitar, and its enduring popularity is well earned.

The construction is rooted in Gold Tone’s Cripple Creek family, which means you’re getting a genuinely well-specified instrument rather than a novelty. The 11″ multi-ply maple rim is fitted with an 11″ rolled brass flat-bar tone ring — the same type of tone-ring philosophy that drives clarity and cut in traditional five-string banjos — topped with an 11″ Remo LC Smooth head. The maple neck carries a radiused rosewood fingerboard with 21 frets and a 1-11/16″ ZeroGlide nut, which dramatically reduces friction and keeps the instrument in tune far better than a standard bone or plastic nut. Sealed guitar-style tuners handle the six strings reliably, and the Terminator tailpiece manages break angle cleanly. Chrome hardware, black ABS binding, and a vintage brown satin finish give the whole package a look that’s understated and professional. The built-in SMP+ pickup means you can plug straight into a PA or amp with no aftermarket modification — a real plus for anyone who wants to use this on a gig or in a recording session immediately. A gig bag ships in the box, and an upgraded HD15 hard case is available as an option.

Each instrument receives a professional setup at Gold Tone’s factory in Titusville, Florida before it ships to you.

Why Buy From Banjo Warehouse

Banjo Warehouse is an authorized Gold Tone dealer, which means your CC-Banjitar comes with full manufacturer warranty support and you’re buying a genuine, current-production instrument — not gray-market or old stock. I’m Geoff Hohwald, co-owner of Watch & Learn in Atlanta and author of Banjo Primer, the top-rated beginner banjo method on the market. I co-designed the Gold Tone OB-Standard. When I put my name behind an instrument recommendation, it comes from a lifetime of playing, teaching, and living inside this world — not from a spec sheet. I want you to end up on the right instrument, and if you have questions before you buy, reach out. We also make ownership easy on your budget: financing is available through PayPal Pay in 4, Afterpay, and 3, 6, 12, or 24-month plans, all with no late fees.

Gold Tone CC-Banjitar Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to know anything about banjo to play the CC-Banjitar?

Not at all — that’s exactly the point. The CC-Banjitar is tuned and scaled identically to a standard six-string guitar, so every chord and scale shape you already know transfers directly. You get the banjo tone and projection without having to learn clawhammer, Scruggs rolls, or any banjo-specific right-hand technique. Guitarists typically pick it up within minutes.

Can I use the CC-Banjitar plugged in for live performance?

Yes, and it’s well suited for it. The built-in SMP+ pickup gives you a clean, direct signal that works with any standard guitar input — amp, DI box, or PA. It won’t sound like an amplified acoustic guitar; it retains that bright, cutting banjo character, which is exactly what most players are after when they reach for this instrument on a gig.

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