Welcome to the tenor banjo emporium, where you’ll find some of the most exclusive, prewar tenor banjos of our time. The majority of my banjos are sourced from collections world wide and from private sellers. Before they can make it to the purebanjo pages they must be in perfect playing condition. This usually involves myself disassembling the banjo, cleaning/polishing, refretting, new head, bridge etc. Basically having the perfect trad banjo in hand ready for playing. Most banjos are setup for right handed players but if you wish for any banjos on sale to be changed over for left handed playing I can certainly accommodate that request.
Below you will see some fine examples of banjo makers that have come through my workshop. It’s a great resource for you to view and read up on, maybe you’ll find your holy grail of banjos here!
Sold Banjos
Epiphone Black Gem Tenor Banjo
Epiphone Black Gem 19 fret tenor banjo, very rare and possibly the only one ever built! Early 1920’s with first generation tone ring similar to the Epiphone dragon heads. A real classic banjo to own and play, comes with original vintage case in very good condition.
Parajim Tenor Banjo
A quality built 19 fret tenor banjo using the best woods and reproduction Paragon banjo parts. The banjo was built in 2014 by Jim Patton using the exact build plans as Clifford Essex banjos in the 1930’s so every detail is as accurate as the original.
Fender Artist | USA made | SOLD
Fender Artist 19 fret tenor banjo in pristine condition. This is the 1970’s series model, click the link for further details
Gibson TB3 Mastertone
TB-3 Mastertone model with serial#8719-100 dates to 1927 and features the no-hole raised-head tone ring
Paramount Style 1 | SOLD
Paramount Style 1 Tenor Banjo made by the William Lange company in New York with serial number #10846 making the build date 1927.
Paragon Top Tension
A very beautiful rare Clifford Essex top tension 19 fret tenor banjo. In showroom condition with newly constructed neck by Rob Aylward. See details below…
Vega Artist Tenor Banjo
1930 Vega Artist 19 fret tenor banjo made in Boston, Mass. SN 98345. Flamed shaded maple 3 piece neck, piecrust resonator with tortoiseshell walls. The Artist is second in a 3-banjo line. They are arguably the best-sounding instruments of their type ever made,
Vega Style M Short Scale Tenor Banjo
A very rare vintage Vega Style M tubaphone short scale tenor banjo with extended fret board and close fit resonator.
VEGA VEGAPHONE ARTIST DELUXE TENOR BANJO
Vega Vegaphone Artist Deluxe Model Tenor Banjo, manufactured 1927, made in Boston, Mass., serial #90730 shaded maple finish, flamed maple 3 piece neck, piecrust resonator with cream plastic side walls tastefully engraved and infilled in contrasting black.
Epiphone Recording Alhambra | SOLD
Beautiful 1920’s Epiphone Alhambra Recording 19 fret tenor banjo. All original in fantastic restored condition, click below for further details.
Maya Bowtie Tenor Banjo
1970’s – early 80’s Japanese Gibson style 19 fret tenor banjo. Click the link to find out more details
Majestic Professional Tenor Banjo
A very highly ranked professional tenor banjo from the 1920’s era made by the puntillio Company, New York and featured in the famous Akira Tsumura 1001 banjo collection.
Stewart McDonald
Top quality solid mahogany build, with quality Stewart McDonald metal parts. Banjo is for sale
Weymann Style 4 Deluxe Tenor Banjo
The Style 4 Orchestra model was one of the top banjos in Weymann’s professional “Megaphonic” line, a superb high quality instrument retailing originally in 1928 at the then fantastic sum of $320.00.
Sully Kildare Tenor Banjo
Beautiful rare Sully Kildare 19 fret tenor banjo. This is a handmade tenor by the famous Tony Sullivan. Further info to be updated shortly
Clareen Oyster short scale tenor banjo
Earlier nickel plated X flange with original iconic fish style headstock and position markers. Its in new like condition and comes with Clareen hardshell case
Goldtone IT-250R Tenor Banjo | SOLD
Goldtone IT-250 short scale 17 fret tenor banjo. A perfect choice for a fiddle player moving onto banjo. This model features the famous Whyte Laydie tone ring which adds carrying power to the tone, allowing the player to use a lighter touch for greater precision with the pick.
La Scala Grand Tenor Banjo
Top of the range vintage gold plated La Scala Grand gold plated 19 fret tenor banjo. Marketed by the Oscar Schmidt Company but built by Rocco A Carlucci in West New York….Details to follow
Bacon & Day Serenader Silver Bell
A beautiful Bacon & Day 19 fret tenor banjo. Details to follow
Vega Soloist Tenor Banjo
Vega Vegaphone Soloist 19 fret tenor banjo with higher grade woods and gold plating model. Read description for full details
Epiphone Concert Deluxe Plectrum Banjo | SOLD
Very beautiful all original plectrum banjo. Read full details below
Vega Style X N0.9 Short Scale
Beautiful 17 fret Vega tenor banjo, top of the line model which has just been recently restored and setup. Check out the details…
Gibson Mastertone Tenor Banjo
1920’s Gibson Mastertone neck with 1970’s Maya pot assembly. Perfect hybrid setup with perfect sound
Epiphone Concert
An exquisite, very beautiful 1930 Epiphone Concert tenor banjo. Gold plating throughout in pristine condition, made frombrazilian rosewood, fully setup for professional level playing…
Majestic Deluxe Tenor Banjo
19 fret tenor banjo from made by the Puntolillo Company, New York, around 1924. The sound of this tenor banjo is incredible, words can’t honestly describe it… read on
SS Stewart Wondertone
Beautiful 1927 Wondertone Style D gold plated, top of the line tenor banjo, made by the famous Majestic banjo company.
Banjo is now sold
Epiphone Recording A Tenor Banjo
Epiphone ‘A’ Recording model 19 fret tenor banjo. X style flange model bearing serial # 5915 featuring the 3rd generation tone ring. Has to be one of the most sought after banjos for Irish Trad music
paramount style f
Top of the line Paramount Style F 19 fret tenor banjo, the original highest grade model in William Lange’s professional banjo line.
B&D Super Short Scale Tenor Banjo
The Super Tenor was built from 1920 to 1927 by the Fred Bacon Banjo Company in Boston, Massachusetts. This banjo with a serial #***** was one of the last production line built in 1927.
- Trap door flat/flush resonator
- 29 perforated Silverbell tone ring
- Planet geared tuners
- Elton armrest
- Oettinger tailpiece
Vega Vegaphone Deluxe
Vega Vegaphone Deluxe Model Tenor Banjo, manufactured 1927, made in Boston, Mass., serial #90730 shaded maple finish, flamed maple 3 piece neck, piecrust resonator with cream plastic side walls tastefully engraved and infilled in contrasting black.
Banjo is now sold
Sully Short Scale Tenor Banjo
Hand built in 1995 by John Hullah and endorsed by Tony Sullivan, this high quality crafted banjo sounds amazing with beautiful tones. This is a fine example features a 17 fret fingerboard and a solid maple neck.
Bacon & Day Silverbell
The Silver Bells in particular have exceptional volume and cutting power, with great tonal qualities and very much sought after by the Irish banjoist.
Majestic Art-i-So
Beautiful 19 fret tenor banjo from 1920’s made by the Puntolillo Company, New York. Same company responsible for building the S. S. Stewart branded banjos like the Wondertone. Great sounding arch top banjo which has a sweet sustain with bass resonance and a rich soft tone, lovely low action and a dream to play.
Sully 19 Fret Tenor Banjo
Hand built in 1998 by John Hullah and endorsed by Tony Sullivan, this high quality crafted banjo sounds amazing with beautiful tones. This is a fine example features a 19 fret fingerboard and a solid maple neck and features a custom ordered Whyte Laydie tone ring.
DEERING SIERRA TENOR BANJO
This must be the finest and most affordable professional tenor banjo on the market. An excellent banjo for tune playing with a fast action Deering neck and awesome power of the Deering -06- 20 hole bell bronze tone ring. The Sierra is the most popular Deering professional model, it is very affordable and you get all the important features that effect tone and playability.
Ludwig Kingston
Ludwig Kingston 19 fret tenor banjo built in the mid 20’s in Chicago. It’s a great chance to own an easy to play vintage tenor banjo which has been set up with low action to play Trad music on. It has a nice punchy sound and ideal for intermediate level of playing.
paramount Style Leader (1928)
The Leader is the in-between model from the style C and style D and probably my favorite in the Paramount line. There is a certain tone that projects from rosewood made instruments that makes them a winner…
Aria Pro 2 Tenor Banjo
One of Aria’s best banjos in its day, built in Japan in the 1970’s which makes this banjo over 40 year old. This 19 fret Aria Pro 2 tenor banjo was very much modelled on the Gibson Mastertone, so the neck profile is exactly the same. Everything from the tone ring to the selected woods are good quality and this reflects in the sound of this banjo. Read on to find out more info…
B&D Super Tenor Banjo
The Super Tenor was built from 1920 to 1927 by the Fred Bacon Banjo Company in Boston, Massachusetts. This banjo with a serial #22038 was one of the last production line built in 1927.
- Birdseye maple resonator with centre rings and black binding edge
- Flat 24 hole nickel plated flange plate
- 29 perforated Silverbell tone ring
- Grover PAT. offset pancake geared tuners
- Elton armrest
- Kershner tailpiece
Clareen Elite
The Clareen Elite tenor banjo is a top quality hand-crafted instrument. The fingerboard of ebony is highly decorated with beautifully designed abalone inlay patterns. The tension band is beautifully engraved and the arm rest is hand made in maple and ebony.
