2019 Gold Tone BU-1 Concert Banjo Ukulele


At $220 new with a pickup installed and a gigbag, it's hard to fight with the value in one of these new Gold Tone jo-ukes. It's vaguely '20s Gibson-looking, features guitar-style tuners (easy to use), a synthetic (FiberSkyn) head, nice downpressure tailpiece, tall bridge, coordinator-rod setup, a bound fretboard, and decent factory setup.

This one's been loved for a bit but, aside from some wear to the head, is quite clean. I've got to say I like everything about it except the pickup, which feeds back nastily (and easily) and sounds thin and yick. I'd swap it out for a $35 or so K&K single-spot pickup in a heartbeat. Heck, the jack hole is already drilled so it's drag-and-drop easy to do so.

I just had to give it a restring and light setup to get it at its best.

Repairs included: minor setup.


Rim wood: presumably mahogany ply

Tonering: simple hoop

Bridge: maple/ebony

Fretboard: rosewood

Neck wood: mahogany


Action height at 12th fret: 1/16" (fast)
String gauges: D'Addario fluorocarbon

Neck shape: medium C

Board radius: flat

Neck relief: straight

Fret style: medium-narrower


Scale length: 15 1/2"

Nut width: 1 3/8"

Head diameter: 8"

Depth overall at rim: 2 1/2"

Weight: 2 lbs 2 oz


Condition notes: it's essentially as-new save some mild wear to the head and perhaps a tiny scuff or scratch here or there.


It comes with: its original gigbag.












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