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Experience Fresh Musical Expression with the AC-5 1 Banjo





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Our Product Research Team





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Gold Tone constantly innovates and creates unique instruments like this one: the AC-5 1 Acoustic Composite 6-string banjo! Unlike Gold Tone’s many 6-string designs for guitarists, the AC-5 1 plays and feels like a standard 5-string banjo. But there’s a twist. An additional full-length string provides extended low range that’s ideal for singer/songwriters, accompaniment, and solo licks. Sweetwater’s banjo experts quickly noticed that this extra string can be mastered quickly (the factory tuning of gGDGBD feels immediately familiar to anyone accustomed to standard open-G 5-string banjo tuning). The AC-5 1 pairs its added power with a larger 12-inch composite rim and 12-inch Remo Renaissance head for warm-sounding tone that’s perfect for clawhammer and old-time styles. And with the AC-5 1’s slim nato neck, this banjo gives pros fast-playing performance while beginners can comfortably learn the ropes. Moreover, the AC-5 1’s composite materials adapt well to rugged travel with strong durability and superior climate resistance. Lastly, you get a top-end hardware configuration, including a slick Zero Glide nut, adjustable coordinator rod, and covered guitar-style tuners.





Highly durable 12-inch composite rim





The core of the AC-5 1’s resonance comes directly from its 12-inch composite rim, which provides mellow tone and a touch more power than a comparable 5-string. Mated with that rim is a top-quality 12-inch Remo LC Renaissance head, complete with 16 brackets and an adjustable coordinator rod to perfectly dial in your preferred setup. Best of all, while the AC-5 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.





Serial 22402466


Serial 22402466


Slim nato neck for playing comfort





Whether you’re seeking a slim neck for your student or you simply prefer a fast-feeling profile, the AC-5 1’s sleek nato neck is sure to please. Next, it’s topped with a beautiful slab of traditional rosewood for a smooth, elegant feel that’s easy on your fingers. Finally, the headstock is home to a set of planetary tuners for a traditional banjo experience and feel when tuning.





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.





Serial 22402466


Serial 22402466


Gold Tone AC-5 1 Acoustic Composite 6-string Open-back Banjo Features:


A unique banjo with an additional full-length string (typically tuned gGDGBD)


The ideal crossover instrument for guitarists or banjo players seeking extended range


Heavy-duty composite rim is extremely stable and delivers a warm, rounded-over tone


Top-quality Remo LC Renaissance 12-inch head


Slim nato neck with a sleek rosewood fingerboard


Zero Glide nut improves playability and intonation, especially on the first few frets


Coordinator rod to easily adjust your setup


Standard 26-3/16-inch scale length delivers full-sized tone in a lightweight package


Wooden armrest and planetary tuners support comfort and tuning stability