Detail 01
Open-back
No resonator on the rear. Sound spreads instead of projecting forward, giving a drier, plunkier voice at lower volume.
Product detailSKU #1274228072153
Gold ToneCC-100 (O) Open-Back Banjo Natural
brightarticulatebluegrasscountryfolk
1/10
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
An open-back five-string banjo at 26-inch scale with 22 frets. Aimed at clawhammer and old-time players who want a mid-priced instrument.
Strong match
Who this is for
- Clawhammer and frailing, where open-back is the standard build
- Old-time jam playing at conversational volume with fiddles
- Country and bluegrass backup that stays under the vocals
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Bluegrass leads that need to cut over a full band
- Anyone wanting maximum volume and punch, which resonator banjos give
- Flatpickers after a four-string plectrum or tenor neck
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
22 frets
Full range up the neck. You are not limited to first-position chords if you play melodic lines.
Detail 03
26-inch scale
Standard five-string banjo scale. Strings and setups sold as standard will fit without special ordering.
Detail 04
Bright, articulate voice
Individual notes stay separate in fast passages rather than blurring into each other.
Detail 05
Natural finish
Clear coat showing the wood. No opaque color to hide grain or later dings.
Detail 06
$629.99 tier
Mid-range. A step up from entry-level in hardware and fit, well under professional pricing.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01The bridge is loose and you set its position to get intonation correct
- 02No resonator is fitted, so this will not convert to a bluegrass banjo
- 03No case included; head tension needs occasional checking as humidity changes
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01What is the difference between open-back and resonator?
A resonator is a bowl on the back that throws sound forward for volume and punch. Open-back has none, so it is quieter, mellower and lighter to hold.
02Is this good for clawhammer?
Yes. Open-back five-string is the traditional clawhammer and old-time build, and the drier, less sustaining voice suits that rhythmic style.
03Can I use it for bluegrass?
You can play bluegrass on it, but it will not cut through a band the way a resonator banjo does. It works better for backup than for leads.
04How many frets does it have?
22, which is full-length for a five-string neck and gives you room to play melodic and up-the-neck positions.
Reference
Full specifications
The complete catalog record, organized around the decisions musicians make when comparing gear.
2 detailsPlayability
- Number of Frets
- 22
- Scale Length
- 26
2 detailsBody & build
- Color
- Natural
- Color Finish
- Gold
