Gold Tone CEB-4/L Marcy Marxer Signature Cello Banjo with Case (Left-Handed)

This is the left-handed version of the Gold Tone CEB-4 Marcy Marxer Signature Cello Banjo — and if you play left-handed and have been searching for a cello banjo built for you, this is it. The cello banjo was a cornerstone of early twentieth-century banjo orchestras, then vanished almost entirely by 1930. Gold Tone brought it back in collaboration with Marcy Marxer, the Grammy-winning multi-instrumentalist and string wizard, and the result is one of the most distinctive and genuinely useful instruments in the Gold Tone lineup. Tuned in fifths — CGDA, just like a cello or mandocello — the CEB-4/L sits in a low register that no other banjo occupies, opening up harmonic and melodic territory that will surprise and delight you. Whether you’re playing melody, chord melody, or holding down the low-end in an ensemble, this instrument finds its place immediately.

The 14-inch multi-ply maple rim and rolled brass flat bar tone ring give the CEB-4/L the projection and clarity you need to cut through an ensemble, while the high-tension nylon strings keep the feel approachable and easy on your fingertips. The 24-3/4″ scale length — noticeably shorter than a standard open-back — makes chord shapes and fingering positions very manageable, which is part of why Marcy designed it this way. Any mandolin, mandola, viola, or cello player can sit down with this banjo and feel at home within minutes; the fifths tuning means your existing muscle memory translates directly. The ZeroGlide nut, ebony fingerboard with Weymann vintage inlays, nickel hardware, and vintage brown high-gloss finish all speak to Gold Tone’s care in building an instrument that is as refined as it is distinctive. It ships with a hardshell case included.

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 you’re getting a genuine, properly supported product. Financing is available through PayPal Pay in 4 and 3, 6, 12, or 24-month plans with no late fees, plus Afterpay, so you can bring this instrument home without waiting.

Gold Tone CEB-4/L Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

I play mandolin and cello — will the CGDA tuning feel natural on the CEB-4/L?

Absolutely. That’s exactly who Marcy Marxer designed this instrument for. The CGDA tuning in fifths means your existing chord shapes, scales, and intervallic thinking transfer directly from mandolin, mandola, or cello. The shorter 24-3/4″ scale keeps stretch manageable, and within a few minutes most string players in fifths tuning feel completely at home. The main adjustment is getting used to the banjo’s articulation and attack, which is actually one of the things that makes this instrument so fun — it brings a percussive edge to a register string players are already comfortable navigating.

Does the left-handed CEB-4/L come with a case, and is the setup already done when it arrives?

Yes on both counts. The left-handed CEB-4/L ships with a hardshell case included — not a gig bag, a real case. And each instrument receives a professional setup at Gold Tone’s factory in Titusville, Florida before it ships to you — neck relief, nut slots, bridge height, head tension, and intonation are all checked and adjusted. You should be able to open the case and play comfortably right away.

Is this instrument suitable for someone who has never played banjo before but plays cello or viola?

Yes, and it may actually be the ideal entry point into banjo for a cellist or violist. Because the tuning and interval relationships are identical to what you already know, you’re not starting from scratch harmonically or melodically. The nylon strings are gentle on fingertips, the scale length is comfortable, and the instrument rewards both bowing-influenced phrasing and picked articulation. You’ll want to spend some time getting used to the head’s response and the banjo’s unique sustain characteristics, but musically you’ll be navigating familiar territory from day one.

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