Gold Tone CC-BG Cripple Creek Bluegrass Banjo Starter Pack

If you have ever wanted to jump into bluegrass banjo without spending weeks tracking down all the pieces, the Gold Tone CC-BG Bluegrass Starter Pack is exactly what I would hand you. At the center of the package is the CC-50R — a genuine resonator banjo built around an 11-inch multi-ply maple rim, an 11-inch rolled brass flat-bar tone ring, and a maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard. That brass tone ring is the detail that separates this from the entry-level instruments that often disappoint beginners: it gives the banjo a real, focused snap that sounds like bluegrass is supposed to sound. The mahogany resonator throws the tone forward the way Scruggs-style picking demands. Wrapping everything up, Gold Tone includes a gig bag, a Swift Clip tuner, a neck strap, a set of fingerpicks and a thumbpick, and — I am genuinely proud of this part — a copy of my own instructional video to get you started on the right foot from day one.

I have been teaching banjo since before most starter packs existed as a concept, and I co-designed the Gold Tone OB-Standard with the folks in Titusville, so I know these instruments from the inside out. The CC-50R’s sealed guitar-style tuners hold pitch reliably, the two-way adjustable truss rod means the neck can be dialed in as the instrument settles, and the 18-bracket setup with a flat-bar tension hoop keeps the head tension consistent across the drum. The vintage brown satin finish on the resonator looks classic without being flashy, and at 6.5 pounds it is comfortable to wear through a long practice session. The geared fifth-string peg — sometimes called a friction peg on cheaper instruments — is a small upgrade that matters when you are retuning mid-song. This is a thoughtfully spec’d instrument, not a throwaway starter banjo.

Each instrument receives a professional setup at Gold Tone’s factory in Titusville, Florida before it ships to you. You open the box and you play — no trip to a repair shop required.

Why Buy From Banjo Warehouse

Banjo Warehouse is an authorized Gold Tone dealer, which means you receive the full manufacturer warranty and genuine factory support with every purchase. I have been in the banjo world for over 45 years — I have authored Banjo Primer, the top-rated beginner banjo method on the market, and I co-designed the Gold Tone OB-Standard. When I recommend a starter pack, it is because I genuinely believe in what is inside the box, not because of a margin calculation. Financing is available through PayPal Pay in 4, Afterpay, and 3, 6, 12, or 24-month plans — no late fees — so you can bring this instrument home today and spread out the cost however works best for you.

Gold Tone CC-BG Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly comes in the CC-BG package — is this truly everything a beginner needs?

Yes, genuinely. The CC-BG ships with the CC-50R resonator banjo, a gig bag, my Banjo Primer instructional video, a Swift Clip chromatic tuner, a neck strap, a set of fingerpicks, and a thumbpick. The only thing you need beyond the box is a chair and some time to practice. I designed my instructional materials specifically to walk a brand-new player through the Scruggs-style fundamentals in a clear, step-by-step way, so the video that comes with the pack is not an afterthought — it is a serious learning resource.

Does the rolled brass flat-bar tone ring really make a difference on a banjo in this price range?

It absolutely does. A tone ring adds mass to the top of the rim, which tightens the attack and gives the banjo that characteristic bluegrass snap. Many instruments at this price point omit the tone ring entirely or use a very lightweight version. The rolled brass flat-bar ring on the CC-50R punches noticeably above its weight class — when you hear it next to a ring-less beginner banjo, the difference is immediate and obvious. It is one of the main reasons I am comfortable recommending this pack to students.

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