Gold Tone LG-S/L Left-Handed Sapphire Little Gem Banjo-Ukulele with Bag

Some instruments earn their reputation the hard way — the Gold Tone Little Gem Banjo-Ukulele walked away with “Best in Show” at Summer NAMM 2018, and it has been delighting players ever since. This is the left-handed Sapphire edition of that celebrated instrument: a see-through, jewel-toned blue beauty built on an 8″ acrylic rim and resonator that lets you watch the head vibrate while you play. It is equal parts eye candy and serious small-scale instrument, and we are proud to offer it as a build-to-order left-handed model for players who have spent too long hunting for a quality banjo-uke that fits their fretting hand.

The LG-S/L plays on a 15″ concert scale — comfortable, quick, and perfectly suited to GCEA tuning — with a maple neck and fingerboard, dot-and-star inlays, and sealed guitar-style tuners that hold pitch without fuss. The 8″ clear head sits on a rolled brass flat-bar tension hoop with 12 brackets, and the maple bridge is capped with ebony for a clean, focused tone. At 2.63 lbs., it is light enough to play for hours, responsive enough to cut through a session, and visually arresting enough that people will ask about it before you even play a note. Whether you are a ukulele player curious about banjo tone, a banjo player wanting something compact, or simply someone who has always wanted an instrument that looks like a gemstone, the Sapphire Little Gem delivers.

This instrument ships factory-fresh directly from Gold Tone, where every Little Gem receives a professional setup at their Titusville, Florida shop before it leaves the building. As an authorized Gold Tone dealer, we back your purchase with the full manufacturer warranty, and our team is here to help before and after the sale — whether you have questions about setup, strings, or accessories. A gig bag is included. 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 your LG-S/L is a genuine new instrument backed by the full Gold Tone manufacturer warranty — not a gray-market or third-party listing. 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 shapes everything from how we select our inventory to how we answer your questions after the sale. Our team is happy to advise on strings, tuning, accessories, or anything else that helps you get the most out of your new instrument. Financing is available through PayPal Pay in 4 and 3, 6, 12, or 24-month plans — all with no late fees, plus Afterpay — so you can bring this one home on your terms.

Gold Tone LG-S/L Specifications

Model	LG-S/L (Left-Handed)
Color	Sapphire (See-Through Blue)
Scale Length	15″ Concert
Tuning	GCEA
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
Tension Hoop	8″ Rolled Brass Flat Bar
Brackets	12
Bridge	5/8″ Maple with Ebony Cap
Tailpiece	Banjo Uke Style
Binding	Black ABS
Hardware Finish	Chrome Plated
String Gauge	.027, .038, .028, .022
Weight	2.63 lbs.
Bag	Included
Setup	Gold Tone, Titusville, FL

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to receive a left-handed Sapphire Little Gem?

Because left-handed Little Gems are built to order from Gold Tone’s right-handed stock pool, there is no standing inventory on the shelf. Gold Tone typically completes and ships your instrument within 1–2 weeks of your order. We will keep you informed along the way, and our team is always available if you have questions about your order status.

Is the see-through acrylic body just for looks, or does it affect the sound?

It is genuinely both. The acrylic rim gives the Sapphire Little Gem a bright, penetrating tone with good sustain — characteristics that complement GCEA ukulele tuning nicely. The clear construction also means you can see the head and hardware from the outside, which is a genuinely fun feature in a teaching or performance setting. Tone-wise, it holds its own against wooden-rim banjo-ukes in this price range.

What tuning does the LG-S/L ship in, and can I re-tune it?

The Little Gem ships tuned to standard GCEA — the same tuning used by the vast majority of ukulele players, so if you already play uke you will feel right at home. The sealed guitar-style tuners are stable and easy to use. Some players experiment with other concert-scale tunings, but GCEA is what the instrument is designed and strung for from the factory.

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