Gold Tone AC-1 Acoustic Composite 5-string Open-back Banjo

Whether you’re a banjo beginner, crossover guitarist, or simply looking for a new 5-string sound to experiment with, Gold Tone’s AC-1 acoustic composite 5-string open-back banjo is one of Sweetwater’s top choices for players looking to dive into the world of the open-back banjo. This banjo’s 11-inch composite rim and Remo LC Frosted head produce a warm, woody thump that serves as an excellent entryway into the world of clawhammer and old-time styles, with enough versatility to tackle pick duty. Prefer a slim neck? The AC-1’s comfortably tone-down nato neck is a fitting platform for young students and accomplished banjoists hunting for fast-playing performance. Lastly, you get a top-end hardware configuration, including a slick Zero Glide nut, adjustable coordinator rod, and covered guitar-style tuners.

Hybrid Zero Glide nut system

While the Zero Glide nut system might look like a traditional zero fret at first glance, this revolutionary system combines the strengths of both a standard nut and a zero fret into one cutting-edge piece of hardware! The Zero Glide system, like a typical zero fret, replaces the takeoff point of your open string with a fret. Why? Apart from requiring far less precision cutting and setup work than a regular nut, Zero Glide reduces string contact in the nut by 93% for minimum binding and maximum tuning stability. Moreover, as the Zero Glide’s zero fret is directly embedded into the nut instead of the fingerboard, it requires no modification to swap it out with a regular nut.

Highly durable 11-inch composite rim

The core of the AC-1’s warmth comes directly from its 11-inch composite rim, giving you a mellowed-out tone that particularly suits clawhammer and old-time playing styles. Mated with that rim is a top-quality 11-inch Remo LC Frosted head, complete with 16 brackets and an adjustable coordinator rod to perfectly dial in your preferred setup. Best of all, while the AC-1 certainly boasts plenty of adjustability, the composite rim’s natural resistance to fluctuations in temperature and humidity means you’ll need to adjust it far less often than a traditional wooden rim — a must-have quality for banjo players seeking a rock-solid travel instrument.

Tech Specs

• Type: Acoustic
• String Type: Steel
• Number of Strings: 5
• Body Style: Open Back
• Color: Black
• Finish: Satin
• Top Material: 11" Remo LC Frosted
• Body Material: Composite
• Neck Material: Nato
• Fingerboard Material: Rosewood
• Fingerboard Inlay: Dots
• Number of Frets: 22
• Scale Length: 26.19"
• Nut Material: ZeroGlide
• Nut Width: 1.19"
• Bridge Material: Maple
• Tuners: Covered
• Hardware: Chrome
• Strings: .011, .024w, .016, .013, .011
• Case Included: Gig Bag
• Manufacturer Part Number: AC-1