Gold Tone GT-500/L Left-Handed Banjitar with Case

If you’re a left-handed guitar player who’s ever been drawn to the bright, punchy snap of a banjo, the Gold Tone GT-500/L was made for you. This is the left-handed version of the GT-500, Gold Tone’s most sought-after 6-string banjitar — and it’s genuinely designed by guitar players, for guitar players. The neck is a comfortable maple profile with a radiused rosewood fingerboard, 21 frets, and a 25-1/2″ guitar-standard scale length, so your muscle memory transfers immediately. Standard EADGBE tuning means you pick it up and play. No relearning, no awkward adaptation — just that glorious banjo voice responding to everything you already know how to do.

Under the hood, the GT-500/L is built around an 11″ multi-ply maple rim paired with a 13″ maple resonator and an 11″ steel alloy tone ring — a combination that delivers the kind of cutting acoustic projection you’d expect from a real banjo, not a gimmick. The chrome hardware is clean and durable, the ZeroGlide nut at 1-11/16″ keeps intonation honest right from the first fret, and the Straightline tailpiece and dual 11″ coordinator rods give you solid, stable setup geometry. What really sets this instrument apart in its class is the Gold Tone SMP Sliding Magnetic Pickup with volume control — a thoughtfully engineered solution that gives you full-range amplified fidelity from the low E all the way up to the final fret on the first string. Whether you’re playing an acoustic living room session or plugging into a PA at a gig, the GT-500/L handles both with ease. This is a left-handed instrument — the nut, bridge, and tailpiece are all oriented for left-hand fretting.

Each instrument receives a professional setup at Gold Tone’s factory in Titusville, Florida before it ships to you. The action at the nut and bridge is checked and adjusted, intonation is verified, the truss rod is inspected, and the SMP pickup is properly seated and functioning. You won’t need to take it anywhere before you play it — it will be right when it arrives.

Why Buy From Banjo Warehouse

Banjo Warehouse is an authorized Gold Tone dealer, which means every GT-500/L we sell comes with full manufacturer warranty support and you’re buying a genuine, properly sourced instrument. I’m Geoff Hohwald — I’ve been in the stringed instrument world for over 45 years. I co-own Watch & Learn in Atlanta, I wrote Banjo Primer (the top-rated beginner banjo method on the market), and I co-designed the OB-Standard with Gold Tone, so when I tell you this banjitar is genuinely well-built for the price, I’m not reading from a brochure. I know these instruments. We carry the GT-500/L because it earns its place on the shelf. Financing is available through PayPal Pay in 4, Afterpay, and 3, 6, 12, or 24-month plans — no late fees, so you can get playing now and pay on your schedule.

Gold Tone GT-500/L Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the GT-500/L truly set up for left-handed players, or is it just a right-handed banjo with different stringing?

The GT-500/L is a purpose-built left-handed instrument. The nut is cut for left-hand orientation, the bridge is positioned correctly, and the tailpiece and overall geometry are configured so a left-handed player holds and plays it naturally. It is not simply a restrung right-handed model.

Can I use the SMP pickup with any standard amplifier or PA system?

Yes. The Gold Tone SMP Sliding Magnetic Pickup outputs a standard instrument signal and connects via a standard 1/4″ jack, so it works with any guitar amp, acoustic amp, or PA with a direct input. The onboard volume control lets you dial in your level at the instrument. It’s a clean, practical solution that doesn’t require any special gear.

Does the GT-500/L come with the hard case included at this price?

Yes — the Gold Tone HD15 hard case is included with the GT-500/L at the listed price. You’re getting a fully set-up, gig-ready left-handed banjitar with a proper hard case, not just a gig bag.

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