Gold Tone CEB-5/L Marcy Marxer Signature Cello Banjo with Case (Left-Handed)

This is the left-handed version of the Gold Tone CEB-5/L Marcy Marxer Signature Cello Banjo, and it is one of the most genuinely unique instruments I carry at Banjo Warehouse. The cello banjo had its heyday in early twentieth-century banjo orchestras, then virtually disappeared by 1930. Gold Tone brought it back in collaboration with the remarkable Marcy Marxer — a Grammy-winning string multi-instrumentalist whose feel for low-register banjo voicing is unmatched — and the result is an instrument that feels like a discovery every time you pick it up. Whether you are a mandolin or cello player looking for something unexpected, or a banjo player who wants to explore a whole new tonal register, the CEB-5/L opens a door that most players never knew existed. And because this is the left-handed model, southpaw players can finally access this rare voice without compromise.

The CEB-5/L is tuned CGDA — just like a cello or mandocello — which means any player already comfortable with fifths tuning can be making music within minutes. The 24-3/4-inch scale length keeps the fingerboard comfortable and approachable, and the wound steel strings are punchy and dynamic, with a warmth that suits the instrument’s low register beautifully. The 14-inch multi-ply maple rim is driven by a rolled brass flat bar tone ring that gives those low notes real projection and clarity — this is not a muddy instrument. Thirty-two brackets, a notched tension hoop, a Terminator tailpiece, and a 14-inch Remo Renaissance head all work together to deliver a voice that cuts through in a band context while remaining warm and musical on its own. The ebony fingerboard carries Weymann vintage inlays, the hardware is nickel plated throughout, and the vintage brown high-gloss finish gives the whole instrument a handsome, period-appropriate look. Guitar-style tuners and a ZeroGlide nut at 1-9/16 inches round out a spec sheet that is thoughtful from top to bottom. A hardshell case is included.

Every instrument receives a professional factory setup at Gold Tone in Titusville, Florida before it ships. On an instrument as specialized as the CEB-5/L, that setup work is not just a nicety — it is essential. The wound steel strings in cello tuning, and the unique scale length all require careful calibration to play and sound their best, and every one of these arrives ready to perform.

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 are buying a genuine, factory-fresh instrument. I have been working with banjos for over 45 years — I co-own Watch & Learn in Atlanta since the 1980s, wrote Banjo Primer (still the top-rated beginner banjo method on the market), and co-designed the OB-Standard with Gold Tone. I know this brand and I know these instruments, and I would not carry something I did not believe in. The CEB-5/L is a serious instrument for players ready to explore something genuinely different. Financing is available through PayPal Pay in 4, Afterpay, and 3, 6, 12, or 24-month plans with no late fees — so you can bring this instrument home without waiting.

Gold Tone CEB-5/L Specifications

Handedness	Left-Handed
Tuning	CGDA (Fifths)
Scale Length	24-3/4″
Nut Width	1-9/16″ ZeroGlide Nut
Headstock Style	C-Style
Tuners	Guitar Style
Fingerboard	Ebony
Frets	16
Inlay	Weymann Vintage
Truss Rod	Two-Way Adjustable
Rim	14″ Multi-Ply Maple
Tone Ring	14″ Rolled Brass Flat Bar
Head	14″ HC Remo Renaissance
Brackets	32
Tension Hoop	14″ Notched
Coordinator Rods	Dual 14″
Bridge	Maple with Ebony Cap
Tailpiece	Terminator
Armrest	Hot Dog
Binding	White ABS
Hardware	Nickel Plated
Finish	Vintage Brown / High Gloss
String Gauge	.048w .042w .034w .042w
Weight	8 lbs.
Case	Hardshell Case Included
Setup	Professional factory setup at Gold Tone in Titusville, Florida

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the CEB-5/L designed for?

The CEB-5/L is a genuinely versatile instrument that appeals to a wide range of players. Cellists, viola players, mandocelists, and mandola players will find the CGDA fifths tuning immediately familiar and can be playing melodies within minutes of picking it up. Banjo players looking to expand into a completely different tonal register will also find it rewarding — the fingering logic is different from standard banjo, but the instrument rewards exploration. It works beautifully in string ensembles, acoustic duos, early music settings, and even experimental or folk contexts. Because this is the left-handed model, it is specifically designed so that left-handed players get the full experience without any modification or compromise.

What kind of strings does the CEB-5/L use, and can I change them?

The CEB-5/L ships with wound steel strings gauged .048w, .042w, .034w, and .042w, tuned CGDA. These are specifically chosen to balance projection, playability, and tone on a 14-inch pot with a brass tone ring. You can experiment with other wound string sets gauged for cello or mandocello range, but I would recommend starting with the factory strings and getting a feel for the instrument before making changes. The professional factory setup is calibrated to these strings, so the action and intonation will be dialed in right out of the box.

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