Gold Tone EBM-5 Electric 5-String Banjo with Case

There are very few instruments in the banjo world that make you do a genuine double-take, and the Gold Tone EBM-5 is one of them. I’ve been playing and selling banjos for over 45 years, and I can tell you that a well-built electric banjo isn’t just a novelty — it’s a genuinely useful tool. The EBM-5 is an F-style 5-string built around an 8″ banjo head and aluminum tone ring, which means it retains that snappy, fast-responding banjo feel that makes hammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides feel effortless. The dual-pickup design — a humbucking pickup hidden beneath the head and a single-coil at the neck position — gives you a surprisingly wide tonal palette, from a warm, woody neck voice to a crisp, cutting plugged-in banjo bark. The two-tone tobacco sunburst finish over the mahogany F-style body looks absolutely gorgeous under stage lights, and the gold hardware ties the whole aesthetic together beautifully.

What really sets the EBM-5 apart from other electric banjos I’ve encountered is how it behaves unplugged. The hollow sound chamber within the mahogany body means you’re not just getting a solid-body-style instrument that only comes alive through an amp — there’s real acoustic character here, real sustain and warmth, that a solid body simply cannot replicate. The ebony fingerboard with snowflake inlays plays fast and smooth, the 21-fret maple neck has a two-way adjustable truss rod for long-term stability, and the ZeroGlide nut keeps tuning rock solid. Gold Tone’s GT Master Planetary tuners are reliable and precise, and the Straightline tailpiece keeps string tension consistent across the board. Whether you’re a bluegrass player looking to expand into electric contexts, a guitarist curious about the banjo, or a seasoned player who wants something genuinely different for recording or live performance, the EBM-5 is a serious instrument worth serious consideration.

Every instrument receives a professional factory setup at Gold Tone in Titusville, Florida before it ships. The instrument you receive will be ready to plug in and play immediately — no trip to a repair shop required.

Why Buy From Banjo Warehouse

Banjo Warehouse is an authorized Gold Tone dealer, which means every instrument we sell comes with the full manufacturer warranty and the confidence that you’re getting a genuine, properly sourced product. I co-own Watch & Learn in Atlanta, where I’ve been working with students and players since the 1980s, and I wrote Banjo Primer — widely considered the #1 beginner banjo method available. I co-designed the Gold Tone OB-Standard. That depth of experience informs every buying decision we make and every piece of advice we give. We’re not a big-box retailer moving units — we’re banjo people, and we stand behind what we sell. Financing is available through PayPal Pay in 4, Afterpay, and 3, 6, 12, or 24-month plans with no late fees, so you can get the instrument you actually want without compromising.

Gold Tone EBM-5 Specifications

Body Style	F-Style Electric Banjo
Strings	5-String
Tuning	GDGBD (Standard Banjo)
Scale Length	26-3/8″
Nut Width	1-3/16″ ZeroGlide Nut
Neck Material	Maple
Fingerboard	Ebony
Frets	21
Inlay	Snowflake
Truss Rod	Two-Way Adjustable
Tuners	GT Master Planetary
Headstock Buttons	C-Style
Body / Back & Sides	Mahogany
Top	Maple
Binding	White ABS
Finish	Tobacco Sunburst / High Gloss
Hardware	Gold Plated
Head	8″ Remo MC Smooth
Tone Ring	8″ Aluminum
Tension Hoop	Top Tension Style
Bridge	5/8″ Maple with Ebony Cap
Tailpiece	Straightline
Pickups	Humbucker at Neck & SMP+ Under Head
String Gauge	.011, .024w, .016, .013, .011
Weight	8.3 lbs.
Case	HDE Hard Case Included

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the EBM-5 be played acoustically, or does it need to be plugged in?

It genuinely works both ways. The hollow mahogany body and 8″ banjo head with aluminum tone ring produce real acoustic banjo tone even without an amp — it’s noticeably louder and more resonant than a solid-body electric instrument. That said, it truly comes alive when plugged in, especially with the dual-pickup system allowing you to blend neck warmth with the under-head pickup’s crisp banjo attack.

Is the EBM-5 suitable for a beginner, or is this more of an advanced player’s instrument?

The EBM-5 is absolutely accessible to beginners — particularly guitarists who are crossing over into banjo, since the familiar electric instrument feel removes some of the initial learning curve. That said, it’s a versatile enough instrument that experienced players looking to expand their sound will find plenty to work with here. The fast neck response makes it a natural for bluegrass technique, and the electric side opens up country, rock, and studio applications that a traditional acoustic banjo simply can’t cover.

How is the EBM-5 set up before shipping?

Each EBM-5 receives a professional factory setup at Gold Tone in Titusville, Florida before shipping. The professional setup includes setting proper head tension, positioning the bridge for accurate intonation, adjusting the neck relief via the truss rod, checking action height at both the nut and bridge, and ensuring everything is playing in tune up the neck. A good setup can transform how an instrument feels and plays — it’s one of the most important aspects of instrument preparation.

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