Gold Tone CC-Tenor Cripple Creek Tenor Banjo with Bag

The Gold Tone CC-Tenor is one of those instruments that punches well above its price point, and I say that after more than 45 years of handling banjos at every level of the market. This is a 19-fret tenor banjo tuned CGDA — the standard Irish and jazz tenor tuning — built on an 11-inch multi-ply maple rim with a rolled brass flat bar tone ring that gives it a warm, focused voice with just enough brightness to cut through an ensemble. The removable resonator is a genuinely useful feature: leave it on for the added projection you need on a Dixieland gig, take it off for the more open, relaxed sound that Celtic sessions tend to prefer. The CC-Tenor has introduced thousands of players worldwide to the tenor banjo, and I’ve seen firsthand why — it simply works, right away, for a wide range of styles and skill levels.

Gold Tone built the CC-Tenor on the same design philosophy behind the entire Cripple Creek series: clean fit and finish, solid components, and no corners cut where it matters. The maple neck carries a rosewood fingerboard with 19 frets and snowflake inlays, and the ZeroGlide nut — a real upgrade at this price — virtually eliminates the open-string tuning problems that plague most entry-level banjos. Sealed guitar-style tuners, chrome-plated hardware, an 11-inch Remo LC Smooth head, and a Terminator tailpiece round out a parts list that reads like something you’d expect on an instrument costing considerably more. The dual 11-inch coordinator rods and two-way adjustable truss rod mean this banjo is fully serviceable and adjustable as your playing evolves. At just 5 pounds, it’s also comfortable for long practice sessions or a full evening of playing.

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 every instrument we sell is covered by Gold Tone’s full manufacturer warranty and backed by our own commitment to getting you the right banjo. We carry the CC-Tenor because it earns its place on the shelf, not because it’s convenient to stock. Financing is available through PayPal Pay in 4 or longer-term 3, 6, 12, and 24-month plans with no late fees, plus Afterpay, so there’s a payment option that works for almost any budget.

Gold Tone CC-Tenor Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the CC-Tenor suitable for both Irish Celtic playing and Dixieland jazz?

Yes, and that versatility is one of its best selling points. The standard CGDA tuning works for both styles, and the removable resonator lets you shape the tone to fit the context — open-back for the softer, more intimate sound that Irish sessions favor, or with the resonator on for the louder, more projecting voice that Dixieland calls for. The rolled brass flat bar tone ring gives it a warm fundamental that translates well across both genres.

Do I need any prior banjo experience to play a tenor banjo?

No prior banjo experience is required, and in some ways the tenor is an easier starting point than five-string because the four-string layout is familiar to anyone who’s played mandolin, viola, or cello — the CGDA tuning is the same as those instruments in reverse. If you’re brand new to stringed instruments entirely, the tenor banjo has a logical, intuitive fretboard and plenty of beginner resources available. The professional setup at Gold Tone’s factory means the action will be comfortable and the intonation accurate, which makes the learning curve noticeably gentler.

What is included with the Gold Tone CC-Tenor when I order from Banjo Warehouse?

The CC-Tenor ships with a gig bag included. An optional hard case (model HDTR15) is available separately if you need more protection for travel or gigging. Every instrument also receives a professional setup at Gold Tone’s factory in Titusville, Florida before it ships to you, so there’s nothing you need to adjust before you start playing.

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