A First Bluegrass Banjo That Doesn't Feel Like a Compromise
Maybe you've been humming Scruggs-style rolls in your head for years and you're finally ready to make them real. Or maybe someone played a banjo at a campfire and you haven't been able to stop thinking about it. Either way, the Gold Tone CC-50RP Cripple Creek Resonator Banjo is a solid place to start — and it's built well enough that you won't be itching to upgrade in six months.
Gold Tone took their well-regarded open-back CC-50 and added two meaningful upgrades: a full-walled mahogany resonator for that bright, projecting bluegrass sound, and high-quality planetary-gear tuning machines for tuning stability that keeps up with your playing. The result is a banjo that's genuinely set up and ready to play straight out of the box, factory-dialed in at Gold Tone's shop in Titusville, Florida.
If you're not sure whether you want to play bluegrass or old-time folk, the CC-50RP gives you both options. The resonator is flangeless and pops off without tools, converting the banjo to open-back for clawhammer and folk styles in a matter of seconds. One banjo, two completely different sounds.
Maple Throughout, Brass Tone Ring on Top
The CC-50RP's pot is built on a hard rock maple rim — a traditional, time-tested choice for banjos that rewards you with focused, clear tone. Sitting on top of that rim is a brass rod tone ring, which adds brightness and sustain to the sound without requiring a big jump in price.
The maple neck carries a rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays and 22 frets, giving you a familiar, smooth playing surface. A two-way adjustable truss rod lets you or a tech dial in the neck relief as needed over time, which is a practical feature to have on any instrument you plan to actually play.
Planetary Tuners and Thoughtful Hardware
The planetary-gear tuners are one of the defining features of the CC-50RP over the base CC-50. Planetary tuners give you precise, reliable tuning that holds up through a full set of playing — no friction peg slipping, no fussing mid-song. A geared 5th-string tuner is also included, so you're not fighting the whole pearlgoid knob situation on that short drone string.
The Terminator tailpiece and Gold Tone's engraved armrest round out the hardware. A 1-3/16" ZeroGlide nut keeps string action consistent at the headstock. The headstock itself uses A-style buttons. Chrome plating ties the hardware together cleanly across the whole instrument.
Ready to Play
Gold Tone sets up every CC-50RP at their Florida factory before it ships. That means the action, bridge placement, and intonation have all been addressed by someone who knows banjos — so you're not fighting setup issues the moment you open the box. The 11" Remo head is fitted and ready to ring.
Whether you're learning your first rolls or looking for a dependable second banjo to keep around, the CC-50RP gives you a well-built, properly set-up instrument at a fair price point — from a company that has been making banjos seriously for a long time.
Product Features:
- 5-string resonator banjo with full-walled, removable mahogany resonator
- Hard rock maple rim with brass rod tone ring
- Maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, dot inlays, and 22 frets
- Two-way adjustable truss rod
- Planetary-gear tuners with geared 5th-string tuning peg
- 1-3/16" ZeroGlide nut
- Terminator tailpiece with Gold Tone engraved armrest
- 11" Remo banjo head
- Single coordinator rod
- Converts to open-back without tools — flangeless resonator design
- Factory setup at Gold Tone's Titusville, Florida facility
- Satin Vintage Brown finish, chrome hardware
Brand: Gold Tone
Model: CC-50RP Cripple Creek Resonator Banjo
SKU: CC-50RP
Condition: New
Since 1872, C.A. House Music has been helping musicians across the Ohio Valley find the right gear -- with real advice from a team that actually plays. We're your authorized dealer of all the big names in guitars, keyboards, band instruments, drums, pro audio, and more. With four family-owned and operated locations in Ohio and West Virginia (plus a full online store), you don't have to go far for instruments, lessons, rentals, and repairs. No matter your musical needs, our team of musicians wants to help you Play Music for Life.
