Gold Tone AC-1: 5-String Beginnner Banjo, Full Size with Gig-Bag, Bluegrass or Clawhammer

4.4 | 83 ratings

Price: 269.99

Last update: 09-02-2024

About this item

Composite rim open back
Zero-glide nut system
Includes Gig Bag
Gold Tone 12-point set-up

Product information

Item Weight

1 pounds

Product Dimensions

38.5 x 11.5 x 4 inches

ASIN

B01DQMTBMG

Item model number

AC-1

Customer Reviews

4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 78 ratings

4.5 out of 5 stars

Best Sellers Rank

#5,598 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
#4 in Banjos (Musical Instruments)

Is Discontinued By Manufacturer

Date First Available

May 31, 2016

Back Material

Open

Body Material

Composite

Color Name

Black

Fretboard Material

Rosewood

String Gauge

.011, .024w, .016, .013, .011

String Material

Nickel-plated steel

Top Material

Remo frosted head

Number of Strings

Guitar Bridge System

Maple with Ebony Cap

Instrument Key

Top reviews from the United States

adel k

Very nice banjo

Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2024

The banjo came days before the expected delivery time, it was protected in a big box. I didn't have to adjust anything I just got it out , tuned it and started enjoying it's beautiful tone.

Rosa Rugosa

Great Product for the Price!

Reviewed in the United States on June 16, 2021

This product was securely packaged and arrived in perfect shape.

I bought this as a travel banjo. I was very pleased as this banjo was considerably well constructed for the price I paid for it.

The frets are smooth and the action is good. The sound is clear and it tunes well. Awesome for beginners or people who want a cheap, playable banjo. I would definitely recommend this product and buy it again.

ShadowRaven

Great for the Money!

Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2021

This is a great banjo for the money. I have heard not so great things about imported cheap banjos, but this AC-1 was always talked highly of.
Maybe because the company checks it out here in America and makes sure everything is good to go prior to shipping.
It arrived ready to go, and includes a few tools and a letter explaining adjusting your banjo when needed.

I liked it so much, I decided to upgrade to a few Deering banjos, but this Gold Tone is nice because composite plastic is not changed as mush as wood for traveling etc.

It holds tune very well, unlike other cheap instruments. The only thing I can mention that might not be great, is the sound is slightly different than a wooden rim banjo.
But it's just a little different, a beginner would not even know. There is not another in this price range better from what I can tell.
If you can afford to pay double the price, the Deering Goodtime banjo is a steal for the money, and would be even better.
When holding them both, you can tell this AC-1 is more cheaply built (rim/j hooks etc).
But to get your feet wet, this one is excellent.
Once you upgrade, this one can be used as a truck/camping banjo, and the wood one can stay home nice and dry.

Also, this one looks great too.
I included a pic of it sitting in my speakeasy.

Mark J. Werner

Great entry-level banjo

Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2018

I’d been playing my home-made banjo increasingly, but it’s shortcomings were beginning to be more and more apparent.
Limited budget...
I saw a couple of write-ups on this Gold Tone offering and decided to give it a try. I’d had a similarly-priced Epiphone some years back and it arrived badly in need of a setup. Head not tightened, bridge not placed, etc...

Gold Tone advertises that each of these overseas-produced instruments is properly set up at thier center prior to shipment. I found this to be true. Head tensioned, action set, bridge placed.... All I had to do was tune up and play.

This banjo features a one-piece composite rim... No “tone ring”. As a result, the instrument is very light. So light, in fact, that you’ll need a strap right away just to keep the neck up. No worries about shoulder pain, however.
All the hardware seems fine...Tuners work smoothly, frets are well-finished, etc. Very comfortable to play.
If you want, a composite resonator and an armrest are both available from Gold Tone.

So, how’s it sound? Very good,, IMO. Quite loud for an open back, and seems to handle either Scruggs-style picking with fingerpicks and trailing/clawhammer just fine.

Only downside is the “bag”... which does hold the banjo but offers about as much protection as a gunny sack. Protects from dust and scratches, but that’s all. Trying to keep that under-200-dollar price point, I imagine.

Dustin Ferguson

Look’s good

Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2024

First time buying or playing a banjo but looks great out the box. I see no issues with scratches or anything loose. Sounds very good. As I progress with skill I’ll leave another review. I made some very minor adjustments with the tuning but not much so far I recommend.

Kenneth Croes

Thrilled

Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2019

I am literally thrilled with this banjo. If you're looking for a featherweight 5-string banjo that sounds great, has an excellent set-up right out of the box, and has a very affordable price, the Gold Tone AC-1 is a winner. Whether clawhammer or Scruggs-style is your method, the banjo delivers superb sound for its price and weight. If you're a beginner and you're not sure you'll stick with it, the AC-1 is an excellent choice. It won't break the bank and you won't have to fight the instrument to play it. If you're a veteran player that wants to shed the typical heaviness of a Bluegrass banjo due to age or injury, the AC-1 will satisfy. As a travel banjo for camping trips, beach bonfires or risky airline handling, the Gold Tone AC-1 fills the bill. It's structurally made well and looks good, too. My only suggestion for improvement would be to add a strap button to the heel of the instrument. Other banjo players may make fun of you if you add your own strap button to the heel. Ignore them and do it if you want.

Chuck

Great right out of the box

Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2024

I couldn’t be more happy. Just a great little banjo.

Tom

Great banjo, this is the one to start on

Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2023

Everyone I asked said this is the only banjo under $500 worth getting, they seem to be right. Arrived in a very large box, the smaller box containing the banjo had opened a little but everything was intact. A head key and allen wrench are contained in the maintenance manual in the gig bag.

Checked the setup, it was perfect. Bridge already installed, head already tightened, no need to adjust the neck or intonation or action. Frets are smooth, no buzzing. Sounds great.

Since it costs half the amount of the next best banjo everyone compares it to, I was able to spend the rest on a bunch of banjo books.

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