Clifford Essex top tension 19 fret tenor banjo, which started its life as a plectrum banjo and was professionally converted to a tenor by the renowned luthier Robert Aylward. This may have been a special commission as I haven’t seen this model in gold plating before. The top tension Paragon sound different to the CE models, the sound projection from the tone chamber excels power and pure tone. When you want volume, you got it, when you want sustain, you got it. As with the Epiphone range of tenor banjos, Clifford Essex Paragon stand side by side in the ranking of ‘want to own’ top tenor banjos.

Banjo details

19 fret maple neck with centre laminate strips with white side binding, black dot position markers and ebony fretboard. Original mother of pearl inlay on fret board and headstock bearing the Paragon name. The name badge was engraved locally but the other MOP is original. The new neck is fitted with a truss rod for extra stability and new frets. The gold plated geared tuners are new Gotoh gold plated tuners. The rock maple heel cap is also multi laminated and is profiled exactly as the original plectrum neck. The pot assembly is all original with excellent gold plating throughout. Original Clifford Essex tailpiece and tailpiece slide cover. Original armrest with height adjuster. The rim is constructed from 1″ block maple with 20 drilled holes through to the perforated tone ring. This unique construction creates a passthrough for the soundwaves to deflect of the concave resonator and then projecting the sound out through the holes in the flange. This banjo is solid in construction, from the tension hoop, tension bolts, flange, tone ring etc it just reflects the mastery of the Clifford Essex Banjo Company. The concave resonator is not only is designed for sound reflection but also sits nice and snug against your tum! No need for description here, the photos tell it all. The banjo comes with a period vintage case in great condition (not sure if original but perfect fit).