Epiphone Black Gem 19 fret tenor banjo, very rare and possibly the only one ever built! This could have been a prototype that was never launched into production. In 1925 Epiphone announced a new line of banjos consisting of White Beauty, Bluebud, Blackbird, and Golden Rod. Examples of the White Beauty and Golden Rod have been documented as well as Black Beauty. This banjo is built like the Black Beauty with the heavy 1st generation cast bronze archtop tone ring and heavy brass flange similar to the early Dragon Head Recording flanges.

The banjo is in excellent condition and sounds as you would expect from a quality built Epiphone. The neck feels sleek and is very easy to play with nice low action. Nice pearl inlay in the headstock bearing the name Black Gem. The neck wood is possibly maple which has been stained black and clear lacquer finish as I would expect the same for the resonator. There is cream binding along the neck sides and resonator side walls. Ebony fret board with square MOP and good frets. Epiphone armrest and kershner tailpiece. New Remo “cloudy” head, new bridge and new set of nickel strings. Comes with original vintage case with green velour lining.

Banjo Details:

• Scale length -23″ 
• Weight – 9lbs 2oz
• Action height – .080″ at 12th fret
• Strings – nickel 12, 18w, 26w, 36w
• Bridge – maple/ebony 3 leg 5/8″
• Head – Remo Cloudy