As the title implies, I have a Gold Tone CC-50. I bought it off the shelf at a local music shop on somewhat of a whim a little over a year ago. I had signed up for a group banjo class, and while I had heard of terms such as "Scruggs" and "clawhammer" and understood the basics, I hadn't bothered to think about the open back vs. resonator distinction. And frankly, I got the CC-50 because I needed a banjo to bring to class and the price was right. The aforementioned class was in Scruggs style, and I took to it with enthusiasm and have been going to a weekly bluegrass jam ever since. I love playing the music. The banjo, while nothing fancy, seems to get the job done. It stays in tune pretty well and sounds decent to my ears. I pretty much only play Scruggs style on it. With some single-string type stuff for fiddle tunes I suppose. I dabble in melodic every now and then.
I would like to explore some options for making this thing a bit closer to a "proper" bluegrass banjo. I don't have much interest in clawhammer. I can't really justify buying a new banjo right now - someday I definitely will, don't worry! But for now I was thinking maybe I could get a resonator and new bridge for this thing as a relatively low-cost, low-risk way to get more of a bluegrass feel.
Gold Tone sells a CC-50 resonator with hardware for $200. I was wondering if I could get something cheaper on the used market, and if so, does anybody have any advice or recommendations? I think I can get just the hardware from Gold Tone as well.
Similarly, with the bridge, does anyone have advice on what kind of bridge would make this thing sound more bluegrass? I think the one I have on it is a bit thicker than bluegrass banjo bridges I've seen. I know there are a ton of options out there and they often specify what they're intended for (bluegrass vs. old time, etc), but I'm always curious to hear perspectives.
For reference, here's the CC-50 on Gold Tone's website: goldtonemusicgroup.com/goldton...nts/cc-50
Here's the resonator they sell for it: goldtonemusicgroup.com/goldton...ts/13cc50
Also, if there are other parts of this banjo that could be replaced or modified for more of a bluegrass sound, I'm all ears! Thanks for reading!
- Boutique branded (Deering 'smile' qualifies), hard maple, straight, medium weight bridge
- top frosted head with tension set to the high side of 91-92
- put a new/used resonator on it.
- start with fresh med-light nickel strings or maybe choose stainless, strings make the character
Now you sorta-have the RB100 package, Good to go.
Edited by - pinenut on 06/07/2026 19:53:36
I suspect this parted out Rogue resonator is from the same size of flange-less banjo as the CC and should probably work.
You'll need the flat plate style resonator mounting hardware that Gold Tone sells:
https://goldtonemusicgroup.com/goldtone/parts/b1071
I have a set I can sell you for less. I bought it to solve a problem but it didn't. So I don't need them. I know where the plates are, but I'm not sure about the thumbscrews. I'll look tomorrow.
IMO, it’s not worth either the time or $$ to make your banjo more “bluegrassy.” You still won’t be satisfied. When you can play a few tunes up to speed and with appropriate drive, buy the best “real” bluegrass-type banjo you can afford. Until then save your money toward that banjo.
Really to make it more bluegrassy you need a decent rim, a flathead tone ring and a resonator. The resonator price seems very high. On the Twang scale - not much twang, a bit of twang, reasonable twang and proper twang you'll not likely to get beyond a bit of twang whatever you do.
Tagging on to what Bill said about it not being worth the time or money to make a CC-50 more bluegrassy, I'd say it's not worth doing more than converting the open back version to the equivalent of the resonator version that Gold Tone already sells.
That would be the 50 CC-RP, with "R" meaning resonator and "P" being planetary tuners: straight-through tuning pegs vs guitar tuners that stick out the side. These change the look, but not the sound. You can buy cheapies on eBay for $25-$30 a set, Gold Tone's tuners for $80 plus shipping for 4; Gotohs from Smakula Fretted Instruments for $65 plus very low shipping; or parted out RK-36 tuners for $60 plus shippingfor 4 (or make offer).
As for changing the bridge because the current one is thick, many of today's boutique bridges tend to be thick. People seem to be shooting for about 2.2 grams and that requires a bit more thickness. But I have all types. I have thick and thin Scorpions. Very thick Snuffy Smith. Thick Purcell. Maybe medium Dotson. Very thin Kat Eyz. And very thick Davis and Nechville bridges. The Nechville is on my beater/travel banjo, a Rover RB-35, where its thickness does a pretty good job of toning down the harshness of the Rover's aluminum rim.
It's possible a slightly thicker bridge brings out a wider range of tones in the CC-50. Maybe gives it a fullness its thin rim and brass rod tone ring might otherwise lack.
Start with small changes as you learn. Many good suggestions above.
Think how many different home grown innovations have found their way into mainstream usage
I got to jam with a Goodtime with no Rez for a few songs, the owner said he had never heard it like that before
I’ve heard the same about masters making an inferior budget sound like gold
I jam with an open back because I do
Focus on content listen with your own ears and learn to do some wrenchin’. Use a hubcap or a plywood disc and Velcro if you want
tighten up the head and keep the action low
make up something none of us ever thought of before :).
( ):)==='== ::}
Edited by - Helix on 06/08/2026 10:26:38
Another vote for it’s not worth it. I’ve fixed up more low end banjos than I can count, and passed them on. Even a resonator isn’t going to add much, and it may suprise you, especially on low end banjos, how much less sound you’ll hear, and vibrations you'll feel, as much of the sound is reflected away from you. I still prefer practicing and rehearsal with an open back, because of this.
My advice would be to tighten the head to get as much sparkle as you can, and keep playing the crap out of it. Any money you put into it, will only delay getting a new banjo, and be wasted when you do get a new banjo. So take any extra cash you have, and put it in a banjo fund.
Edited by - Dean T on 06/08/2026 10:41:44
DonDublin
I see the Gold Tone CC resonator for $200 includes the mounting hardware, so you wouldn't need mine.
As it turns out, all I have are the four plates. I don't have the thumbscrews or wall lugs (which you won't need if you buy the much cheaper Rogue resonator I pointed to). If you go for the Rogue while the eBay seller still has it, you'll need the plates and the matching thumbscrews - which he also has: Rogue banjo resonator thumbscrews.
Thanks everyone! Honestly, I think you've all convinced me to keep the CC-50 as it is. I like the way it sounds overall, even if it doesn't growl and twang and so forth. I do like how much of the sound I can feel when playing it by myself, so I wouldn't want to shell out the money and effort to attach a resonator just to lose that effect for a nonexistent audience. Someday I'll invest in a decent bluegrass banjo because I'm sure I'll keep playing this music. Cheers! And thanks for taking a look at that hardware :)
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