Gold Tone CC-Plectrum Cripple Creek Plectrum Banjo with Bag

The plectrum banjo has a rich history that stretches from the jazz parlors of the 1920s all the way through today’s Celtic sessions and Dixieland stages, and the Gold Tone CC-Plectrum is one of the most accessible and well-appointed entry points into that tradition you’ll find anywhere near this price. With a 26-3/16″ scale length, 22 frets, and four strings, it occupies a unique middle ground — longer than a tenor, tuned and played differently from a five-string — and it rewards players who want a versatile chord-melody or single-line lead instrument that works in a wide range of styles. Standard tuning is CGBD (fourth string to first), but many players use Chicago-style DGBE, and you can also tune it DGBD to mirror the top four strings of a five-string banjo. Whichever way you go, the CC-Plectrum speaks clearly and holds its own in a band mix.

Gold Tone built this instrument with genuine care for the details. The 11″ multi-ply maple rim pairs with an 11″ rolled brass flat-bar tone ring to give you a warm, projecting tone that isn’t harsh or brittle — important for plectrum playing, where you’re often doing a lot of strumming and chord work. The maple neck has a two-way adjustable truss rod, a rosewood fingerboard with snowflake inlays, and a 1-3/16″ ZeroGlide nut that dramatically reduces friction and keeps the banjo in tune far better than a standard nut at this price. Sealed guitar-style tuners, chrome hardware, and a 13″ maple resonator round out a package that punches well above its modest cost. The resonator is fully removable — pop it off for an open-back, mellow sound perfect for folk or Celtic, or put it back on when you need more volume and projection for jazz or ensemble playing. The included gig bag means you’re ready to carry it to rehearsal or a gig the day it arrives.

Every instrument receives a professional factory setup at Gold Tone in Titusville, Florida before it ships. The setup includes adjusting the head tension, setting the bridge placement precisely for accurate intonation, dialing in the action at both the nut and the bridge, and making sure the two-way truss rod is dialed correctly for a comfortable, buzz-free playing experience. This is not a cursory once-over — it’s the kind of setup work that typically costs $60–$100 at a repair shop, included in the price of the instrument.

Why Buy From Banjo Warehouse

Banjo Warehouse is an authorized Gold Tone dealer, which means you get the full manufacturer’s warranty and you’re buying a genuine, current-production instrument — not a gray-market import or a returned unit refurbished without disclosure. I’ve been playing, selling, and teaching banjo for more than 45 years. I co-own Watch & Learn in Atlanta, I wrote Banjo Primer (the top-rated beginner banjo method), and I co-designed the Gold Tone OB-Standard with the folks at Gold Tone — so when I say the CC-Plectrum is a legitimately good instrument for the money, that’s not a sales pitch, it’s an informed opinion. I know what corners get cut at this price point in the industry, and Gold Tone cuts very few of them here. We also make it easy to pay over time: financing is available through PayPal Pay in 4, Afterpay, and 3, 6, 12, or 24-month plans — all with no late fees. If you have questions about plectrum tunings, strings, or whether this is the right instrument for your playing goals, reach out. I’m happy to talk banjo.

Gold Tone CC-Plectrum Specifications

Nut Width	1-3/16″ ZeroGlide Nut
Tuners	Sealed Guitar-Style
Headstock Buttons	B-Style
Neck Material	Maple
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Frets	22
Inlay	Snowflake
Truss Rod	Two-Way Adjustable
Rim	11″ Multi-Ply Maple
Tone Ring	11″ Rolled Brass Flat Bar
Head	11″ Remo LC Smooth
Resonator	13″ Maple (Removable)
Bridge	Maple w/ Ebony Cap
Tailpiece	Terminator
Tension Hoop	11″ Flat Bar
Brackets	18
Coordinator Rods	Dual 11″
Armrest	Fits All GT Engraved
Binding	Black ABS
Hardware Finish	Chrome Plated
Body Finish	Natural / High Gloss
Scale Length	26-3/16″
Weight	6.3 lbs.
String Gauge	.024w, .016, .013, .011
Standard Tuning	CGBD
Bag	Included
Optional Case	HD15 (sold separately)

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between a plectrum banjo and a tenor banjo?

The main differences are scale length and string count — both have four strings, but the plectrum banjo has a longer scale (26-3/16″ on the CC-Plectrum vs. roughly 23″ on a standard tenor) and is typically tuned CGBD rather than the tenor’s CGDA fifths tuning. The longer scale and chord-based tuning make the plectrum feel more familiar to guitarists and ukulele players, and it’s historically associated with jazz rhythm playing and chord-melody style. If you’re coming from guitar, the plectrum is generally the easier transition.

Can I play Celtic or old-time music on the CC-Plectrum, or is it strictly a jazz instrument?

Absolutely — while the plectrum banjo has deep roots in early jazz and Dixieland, it works beautifully for Celtic music, especially in CGBD or DGBE tuning. The removable resonator is a real asset here: put it on for a louder, more projecting tone in a jazz or ensemble context, or take it off for the softer, more intimate open-back sound that blends better in a Celtic session. Several Celtic players specifically seek out plectrum banjos because of the longer scale and the familiar chord shapes.

Does this come with a gig bag, and is a hard case available?

Yes, a gig bag is included with the CC-Plectrum at no extra charge. If you need more protection for travel or gigging, Gold Tone’s HD15 hard case is available as an optional add-on — just reach out and we can put that together for you when you order.

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