Gold Tone LG-A Little Gem Amethyst See-Through Banjo Ukulele with Bag

I’ve been around the instrument business for over four decades, and every once in a while something comes along that genuinely surprises me. The Gold Tone Little Gem Banjo Ukulele in Amethyst is one of those instruments. That see-through purple acrylic rim and resonator isn’t just a novelty — it gives the Little Gem a bright, penetrating banjo-uke tone that cuts right through a room, and it does it at a price that makes it completely accessible to players of all ages and experience levels. It’s no wonder this instrument won Best in Show at Summer NAMM 2018. This is the kind of banjo ukulele that makes people stop and stare before they even hear a note.

Built on a concert-scale 15-inch neck with a maple fingerboard, 18 frets, and dot-and-star inlays, the Little Gem is genuinely comfortable to play. The 8-inch clear head and acrylic rim deliver that characteristic banjo sparkle, while the 5/8-inch maple bridge with ebony cap keeps the tone focused and responsive. Sealed guitar-style tuners hold tune reliably — something I always appreciate on a smaller instrument like this, where tuning stability makes a real difference in how much fun it is to pick up and play. Standard GCEA tuning means any ukulele player can jump right in, and the included gig bag means you can take it anywhere.

Each instrument receives a professional setup at Gold Tone’s factory in Titusville, Florida before it ships to you — checking neck relief, action at the nut and bridge, and intonation so that it plays as well as it possibly can right out of the box. At this price point, a proper setup is something most dealers skip, and it makes a real difference in playability, especially for beginners.

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 instrument. I’ve spent more than 45 years in this industry — writing the Banjo Primer method, co-designing instruments with Gold Tone, and helping players at every level find the right place to start — and I can tell you that the Little Gem is genuinely one of the best beginner banjo ukuleles available today. We offer flexible financing through PayPal Pay in 4, Afterpay, and 3, 6, 12, and 24-month plans with no late fees, so there’s no reason to wait on an instrument this fun.

Gold Tone LG-A Little Gem Amethyst Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Little Gem a good first instrument for a child or beginner?

Absolutely. The concert scale length and light 2.63-pound weight make it very comfortable for younger players and adults alike. The GCEA tuning is the same as a standard ukulele, so anyone with even basic uke experience will feel right at home. And because each instrument receives a professional setup at Gold Tone’s factory in Titusville, Florida before it ships to you, beginners won’t have to struggle with high action or tuning problems right out of the box — which makes a huge difference in whether someone sticks with an instrument in those early weeks.

Is the see-through body purely cosmetic, or does it affect the sound?

It’s genuinely both. The acrylic rim and resonator give the Little Gem a brighter, more projecting tone than you’d typically get from a wood-rimmed banjo ukulele at this price — there’s a clarity and cut to it that I find quite impressive. And yes, it looks absolutely stunning. The Amethyst color in particular has a real depth to it when light passes through. It’s one of those instruments that draws people in visually and then surprises them with how good it sounds.

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