I have one too! I added the resonator and arm rest - I also had GOLD TONE (I ordered directly from them) to put 5th string spikes in. I have an recording King R36 and a Arias Po II but they just sit in their stands.
I highly recommend the Deering Goodtime open back banjo. I think they're a quality instrument. However, they are priced 3 times higher or more than the Goldtone AC-1. I recommend the Goldtone against anything in it's price range. If you're looking for an inexpensive starter banjo, it's good quality and will play better and sound better, and have fewer maintenance issues (in my opinion) than other banjos in the $300 CAD price range.
@@gcdenton Do the tuners on the AC-1 hold up. One weak area with lower cost banjos are crappy tuners that either rotate roughly or that do not keep the strings in tune. I want one of these as a throw around newbie toy that i will just change to a renaissance head and add maybe try nylon strings for a deeper mellow thumpier tone---
@@Eye_That_Opens one of the reasons I recommend the Goldtone over similarly priced banjos is the better quality hardware. I think a lot of inexpensive banjos cut corners on hardware. I believe the AC-1 saves expense with the innovative composite body and neck so they can maintain a standard of quality in their hardware.
they are both made in china gold tone and recording kings, morgans and many more , even cheap gibson are but not the expensive ones but they are good banjos play as good as my deering or better
Gregory Denton This one is open back, but Goldtone offers a resonator installation kit as an add-on goldtonemusicgroup.com/goldtone/parts/13acreso?dvid=7118
Why demonstrate "bluegrass three finger picking " on an instrument that's obvious exclusive desighned for chawhammer, mellow sounds, frailing, old time, back to banjo roots, 2 finger picking styles ... Just hired in some cheapb local Scruggs player ? GGGRRRR ...
I strongly disagree with your "exclusive" design claim here. While open-back, the longer tailpiece and steeper breaking angle to the bridge are typical of a bluegrass set-up. The AC-1, like most banjos may be played however the player sees fit. You might want to checkout the Goldtone webpage for the AC-1 banjo where they link a video demonstration at the 2016 NAMM where the design was introduced performed in 3-finger style by Tony Triscka. There is also a demonstration of clawhammer by Bob Carlin. But both approaches to the banjo are widely shared by Goldtone in their marketing material. goldtonemusicgroup.com/goldtone/instruments/ac-1
@@gcdenton . Who is Gregory Denton? I wish not to minorize this banjo But do it's poor presentation. I guess this instrument has a lot more potention, but it is poor presented
How, exactly, is this banjo designed exclusively for clawhammer, frailing, etc.? There's literally nothing preventing it from being suitable for Scruggs-style picking. You've concocted at problem in your head.
@@cogitaretoo it's sad isn't it? I wonder what he'd think if someone played clawhammer on a resonator banjo.... sacrilege! In the hands of a good player, you can play any style on any banjo and have it sound good.
Great review. Thinking about starting down this path. Seems like a great beginner instrument. Very informative!
I have one and play it everyday. I have a more expensive one and don't play it much, the AC-1 sounds so good.
I have one too! I added the resonator and arm rest - I also had GOLD TONE (I ordered directly from them) to put 5th string spikes in. I have an recording King R36 and a Arias Po II but they just sit in their stands.
i like the video, and comments, very helpful
Hi I bought an Ac-1 do you know if an armrest can be bought for this instrument? Thanks.
@@davidanthony1816 thx
Hey! Did you ever played the Recording Kind dirty 30s open back to compare with the Ac-1? I’m struggling between these two ^^
No, sorry.
Great video. Very helpful. Thanks
Anybody know if an armrest can be found for the AC-1? Should an armrest be put on it even?
I think they do have armrests for about $30, whether or not you use one is up to you.
اريد ان شراء banjo
Question? Would this be a better value than the Deering Goodtime open back?
I highly recommend the Deering Goodtime open back banjo. I think they're a quality instrument. However, they are priced 3 times higher or more than the Goldtone AC-1. I recommend the Goldtone against anything in it's price range. If you're looking for an inexpensive starter banjo, it's good quality and will play better and sound better, and have fewer maintenance issues (in my opinion) than other banjos in the $300 CAD price range.
@@gcdenton Do the tuners on the AC-1 hold up. One weak area with lower cost banjos are crappy tuners that either rotate roughly or that do not keep the strings in tune. I want one of these as a throw around newbie toy that i will just change to a renaissance head and add maybe try nylon strings for a deeper mellow thumpier tone---
@@Eye_That_Opens one of the reasons I recommend the Goldtone over similarly priced banjos is the better quality hardware. I think a lot of inexpensive banjos cut corners on hardware. I believe the AC-1 saves expense with the innovative composite body and neck so they can maintain a standard of quality in their hardware.
@@gcdenton That's a really good buying point!
..and now the sparkling clawhammer version ...😇
they are both made in china gold tone and recording kings, morgans and many more , even cheap gibson are but not the expensive ones but they are good banjos play as good as my deering or better
Is it a open back
It's open back, but Goldtone offers a resonator installation kit as an add-on
goldtonemusicgroup.com/goldtone/parts/13acreso?dvid=7118
@@gcdenton Thanks
For a cheapo, sounds pretty good!
You could see me playing it
RESONATOR ?, RESONATOR ?, RESONATOR ?, RESONATOR ?, RESONATOR ?, RESONATOR ?,
Gregory Denton
This one is open back, but Goldtone offers a resonator installation kit as an add-on
goldtonemusicgroup.com/goldtone/parts/13acreso?dvid=7118
Why demonstrate "bluegrass three finger picking " on an instrument that's obvious exclusive desighned for chawhammer, mellow sounds, frailing, old time, back to banjo roots, 2 finger picking styles ...
Just hired in some cheapb local Scruggs player ? GGGRRRR ...
I strongly disagree with your "exclusive" design claim here. While open-back, the longer tailpiece and steeper breaking angle to the bridge are typical of a bluegrass set-up. The AC-1, like most banjos may be played however the player sees fit. You might want to checkout the Goldtone webpage for the AC-1 banjo where they link a video demonstration at the 2016 NAMM where the design was introduced performed in 3-finger style by Tony Triscka. There is also a demonstration of clawhammer by Bob Carlin. But both approaches to the banjo are widely shared by Goldtone in their marketing material.
goldtonemusicgroup.com/goldtone/instruments/ac-1
@@gcdenton .
Who is Gregory Denton? I wish not to minorize this banjo
But do it's poor presentation. I guess this instrument has a lot more potention, but it is poor presented
How, exactly, is this banjo designed exclusively for clawhammer, frailing, etc.? There's literally nothing preventing it from being suitable for Scruggs-style picking. You've concocted at problem in your head.
@@cogitaretoo
it's sad isn't it? I wonder what he'd think if someone played clawhammer on a resonator banjo.... sacrilege! In the hands of a good player, you can play any style on any banjo and have it sound good.