Gold Tone LG-R/L Left-Handed Ruby Little Gem Banjo-Ukulele with Bag

Some instruments stop a room the moment you pick them up — the Gold Tone LG-R/L Ruby Little Gem Banjo-Ukulele is one of them. Winner of the Best in Show award at Summer NAMM 2018, the Little Gem line earned that recognition for good reason: a stunning see-through acrylic rim and resonator in a deep, jewel-toned Ruby red, paired with genuine playability that goes far beyond a novelty instrument. This is the left-handed version, purpose-built for southpaw players who want something that performs as beautifully as it looks.

Strung to standard GCEA concert ukulele tuning across a 15″ scale, the Little Gem feels immediately familiar to any uke player while the banjo construction adds snap, projection, and that characteristic bright attack. The maple neck and fingerboard offer a smooth playing surface with dot-and-star inlays to mark your position, and 18 frets give you plenty of range. Sealed guitar-style tuners hold pitch reliably, a 5/8″ maple bridge with ebony cap focuses tone nicely, and chrome hardware throughout keeps the whole package looking sharp. At just 2.63 lbs., it travels effortlessly — this is a banjo-uke that genuinely wants to go everywhere with you.

Your Ruby Little Gem ships factory-fresh direct from Gold Tone, where every instrument receives a professional setup at their Titusville, Florida shop before it leaves. As an authorized Gold Tone dealer, we back your purchase with the full manufacturer warranty, and our team is here to help you before and after the sale — whether you have setup questions, need accessory advice, or just want to talk banjos. A gig bag is included with your order. This is a build-to-order item. Gold Tone typically ships your left-handed Little Gem within 1–2 weeks of your order.

Why Buy From Banjo Warehouse

Banjo Warehouse is an authorized Gold Tone dealer, which means every instrument we sell is a genuine new product backed by the full Gold Tone manufacturer warranty — no grey-market surprises. The shop is run by Geoff Hohwald, author of the Banjo Primer and co-designer of the Gold Tone OB-Standard, with over 45 years in the banjo world. That depth of experience means our team can offer real guidance on playability, setup, and accessories — not just a transaction. We want you to love this instrument for years, and we’re here to help make that happen. Financing is available through PayPal Pay in 4, Afterpay, and 3, 6, 12, and 24-month plans, all with no late fees, so your Ruby Little Gem can be on its way without waiting.

Gold Tone LG-R/L Little Gem Specifications

Model	LG-R/L (Left-Handed)
Color	Ruby (see-through red)
Scale Length	15″ Concert
Tuning	GCEA
String Gauge	.027, .038, .028, .022
Nut Width	1-3/8″ Bone
Neck Material	Maple
Fingerboard	Maple
Frets	18
Inlay	Dot & Star
Tuners	Sealed Guitar-Style
Headstock Buttons	Metal
Rim	8″ Acrylic (see-through)
Head	8″ Clear
Bridge	5/8″ Maple with Ebony Cap
Brackets	12
Tension Hoop	8″ Rolled Brass Flat Bar
Tailpiece	Banjo Uke Style
Hardware Finish	Chrome Plated
Binding	Black ABS
Weight	2.63 lbs.
Bag	Included
Setup	Professionally set up at Gold Tone, Titusville, FL

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will it take to receive my left-handed Ruby Little Gem?

Because Gold Tone builds left-handed Little Gems to order from their right-handed stock pool, there is no shelf stock waiting to ship. Gold Tone typically turns these around within 1–2 weeks of your order being placed. Once it leaves their Titusville, Florida shop — fully set up and ready to play — standard shipping time applies to your location. If you have questions about timing, our team is happy to help.

Is a banjo-ukulele hard to learn if I already play ukulele?

Not at all. The Little Gem is tuned to standard GCEA concert ukulele tuning with a 15″ concert scale, so chord shapes and fingering you already know transfer directly. The main difference is feel and tone — the banjo head gives you more projection and a brighter, snappier attack compared to a traditional uke soundboard. Most ukulele players find the transition very natural within a session or two.

Does the see-through acrylic body affect tone, or is it just a visual feature?

The acrylic rim is a real tonal choice, not just eye candy. The rigid, non-porous nature of the acrylic focuses vibration efficiently and contributes to the Little Gem’s notably penetrating, punchy tone. It also happens to look extraordinary — especially in Ruby red — which is why it won Best in Show at Summer NAMM 2018. You get both the look and the sound.

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