Please note: All instruments that have stock numbers followed by an asterisk (*) are in stock at our San Diego store. Please call Tom or Janet @ (619) 280-9035 for further information.
ca. 1920s A.V. & Co. Challenge: An excellent sounding, obviously British made banjo from the early 20th Century whose history has been lost to the ages. The banjo experts of our acquaintance just shrug their shoulders and say." It sounds great, and plays nicely too, but I have no idea of its origin, other than to say that it's obviously British." So Mssrs. Coulson, Marcus, Cooper, et. al cannot say more other than to praise its fine tone and easy playability. We like this one! It will make a great player for someone, or a mystery addition to a collection. With hard case. $650 Stock#UBB29341 photoBUY NOW
Used Deering Basic: Deering, as America's most prolific banjo maker, has the desire to provide quality instruments at every price point. This model., one of their early entry level instruments, was called, naturally, The basic. A lightning fast mahogany neck, matched to a cast aluminum ring, this is a real quality banjo at a budget price. With gig bag. $600 Stock#UBB30964
New! Deering Goodtime: These USA made open back instruments offer a lot of banjo for the novice player, or for the player who wants an easy-playing, light weight instrument to pack to jams and festivals. All Maple construction with geared tuning machines and packed with fun! (msrp: $499) $CALL Stock#NBB29622
Used Deering-Vega Dragon Star: The epitome of Deering's open back banjo art. The first feature you will notice is the mother of pearl & abalone fire breathing dragon peghead inlay with hand engraving. Real clawhammer players will appreciate the Scooped ebony fingerboard with Vega Lady inlay, and everyone will enjoy the tone of
Deering’s hand-crafted tubaphone tone-ring on their 3 ply rock Maple rim. A superbly crafted instrument for player or collector. Maintained in pristine condition by its former owner. With hard case. $4500 Stock#UBC30176*
ca. 1880s Dave Forty & Co. English Banjo: For folks who have never seen or played an English banjo, they are unique and have a fine tone that is quite subtle. First, an English banjo has 6 tuning machines, 3 on a side like a classical guitar. This was done not only because banjo gears were not readily available, but also to give the peghead visual symmetry. Only four of the tuning machines are used to tune the strings that flow over the nut and down the fingerboard. A fifth string goes from the tuning machine, into a small tube that runs through the neck and emerges at the fifth fret. The beautiful rim contains a smaller sized skin head that is adjustable from the top (wow! the first top-tension banjos!). The tone is exceedingly sweet, and although not as loud as their American counterparts, still provides a wonderfully warm tone. With Chipboard case $350 Stock#UBB25934 photo
1890 Fairbanks Electric This is a beautiful example of an early Fairbanks Electric with its 10 1/2” spun-over rim and the “scalloped” tonering that would later become the basis for the infamous “Whyte Laydie” model. In excellent original condition with a replacement 5th string peg, this 119 year old banjo has a sweet plunky tone that is sure to please. With gig bag. BuffaloBros. price $2000 Stock# UBB30150 photo
Just In! New! Chuck Lee Ovilla: Hand made in Ovilla, Tx., this well built open back banjo has a birdseye maple neck that is based on the old Dobson banjos with a paddle style peghead and a nice chunky heal. The ebony fingerboard is decorated with MOP dots and the ebony peghead overlay is inlaid with an attractive “Man in the Moon” design. The real story of this banjo, is its sound. This particular banjo is built around a 12” maple rim. The rim is extra deep (3 1/2”) with a Renaissance head mounted directly against the wood to give this banjo incredible bass response and volume. With hard case. BuffaloBros. price $2199 Stock# NBB30740 photo
Just In! New! Hart “Boucher" Style Double Head Fretless It has often been said that “two heads are better than one” and this banjo proves it! Based on a unique c.1845 double headed Wm. Boucher banjo that is on display at the Smithsonian, this fine reproduction has a 12” oak rim and a double ogee shaped figured maple neck. It is set up with skin heads front and back and nylon strings and has a wonderful warm tone with lots of volume that comes from the additional head. Allen Hart is a Seattle based banjo maker and player who has used his considerable skills to create this fine sounding Minstrel style banjo. BuffaloBros. price $1250 Stock# NBC31022 photo
c.1890’s Luscomb: (VG) Built in Boston by Thompson and Odell sometime in the 1890’s this sweet little banjo has a short 24” scale and a 10 1/8” rim. Nicknamed the “Silver Chime”, the Luscomb rim is made of bell metal with a wood tonering rabbeted into the edge so that the head contacts wood giving the banjo a sweet, bell like tone. With gig bag. BuffaloBros. price $650 Stock# UBB30678 photo
New! Ome Jubilee This great frailer has an 12” 3 ply maple rim with a fiberskin head mounted directly on the wood giving it a warm, sweet tone. It has a mahogany neck and ebony fingerboard complete with frailing scoop. The fingerboard and headstock are inlaid with a whimsical assortment of mother of pearl and abalone stars and moons. This is a beautifully made banjo with a fine traditional sound. With hard case BuffaloBros. price $1995 Stock# NBB30180 photo
New! Ome Juniper: The Ome folks make wonderful banjos, of that there is no doubt. But the Juniper has just that something extra that puts it in the realm of superb. It could just be the Mega-tone tone ring. Developed after years of research, trial and error by banjo genius Chuck Ogsbury, the sound from this instrument will overwhelm you with its clarity an rich overtones. A truly great open back banjo. With hard case. $2100 Stock#30514*
Just In! New! Bart Reiter Special: More than any other contemporary maker, Bart has captured the look, feel and tone of the classic Boston built banjos of the early 20th century. This fine example has a satin finished blond maple neck with ebony finger board. The pearl star peghead and simple pearl dot position markers and neck profile give it a traditional look and feel. An 11 inch frosted Five Star head on a 5/8 inch thick 3 ply maple rim with rosewood cap, and a simple rolled brass tone ring gives it a solid old time sound. With hard case. List price $1594 BuffaloBros. Price $1195 Stock# NBB30898 photo
S.S. Stewart "Dixie Wonder": For those 'in the know' about the banjos of the early 20th Century (and late 19th century), they know that S.S. Stewart, that venerable maker, never made a Dixie Wonder model. However, S.S. Stewart did make a model sold at Sears & Roebuck called the Dixie Wonder and sold under the Supertone brand. So, what we have here is either a marriage of a Dixie Wonder rim and an S.S. Stewart neck. OR, one of those "grab anything we can to make a banjo" depression era (the first one, not the current one) instruments that many makers made just to have something to ship to their clients. With hard case. $550 Stock#UBB28906 photo
1970s Vega Pete Seeger: In addition to his many wonderful songs, and his relentless crusading for human rights and environmental responsibility, America's living treasure also brought to musicians the long-neck banjo. Conceived by Mr. Seeger and brought to fruition by none other than world class guitar maker John D'Angelico, the long neck banjo was seen in the hands of many an aspiring Pete Seeger in the '60s and '70s. This example, that is obviously from the later era, is the coodinating rod style, and from the era when the model and serial number were on a yellow sticker inside the rim. That little tag has long ago fallen of, making the exact dating of the instrument near to impossibe. But the tone from the original Tubaphone style tone ring, and the playability of the neck, as well as all the other features of this totally original 35+ year old banjo are all here to enjoy. With original hard case. $3500 Stock#UBC30215*
New! Wildwood Troubadour: Meticulously built by the folks at Wildwood Banjos in Bend, Oregon, the Troubadour has a laminated block maple rim, a maple neck and an ebony fingerboard. The neck and rim are decorated with a tasteful wood purfling and ivoroid binding and the fingerboard is inlaid with delicate mother of pearl bird and flower designs. With its Tubaphone style tonering, the Troubadour produces a warm tone with plenty of volume. With hard case. List $2415 BuffaloBros. price $1799 Stock# NBB29295 photo
Used Wildwood Troubadour: Mark Platin's unique stacked block pot design supports the traditional Tubaphone style tone ring in a design that rings true. Easy, comfortable playing neck design too! Standartd Wildwood factory set up for easier playing. With hard case. $1400 Stock#UBB22510 photo
New! Deering Goodtime 2 Special LEFT HANDED! Just the thing for all you lefty beginning banjo players! See our lefthanded page for more information on this great banjo. BuffaloBros. price: $698 Stock# NBB26022 photo
New! Deering Goodtime 2: The great Deering Goodtime, here with a resonator for all the aspiring Bluegrass pickers. $529 Stock#28869*
New! Deering Goodtime 2: $529 Stock#30152
Used Deering Deluxe: The Deluxe is Deering's answer to pickers who want to pay for tone and playability and not a lot of gingerbread in the form of dead sea animal shells and gold plating. A Mahogany neck and resonator are the starting blocks fort his great playing combination featuring a 3-ply Maple rim with Deering's cast Bell-bronze flathead tone ring. The fretboard is inlaid in a simple slotted diamond pattern, similar tothe early Gibson style 3 Mastertones. The tone is crystal clear and powerful too! A great instrument for a player at any level. With hard case. $1800 Stock#UBB30903 photo
New! Deering Golden Era What a great banjo! Built with Deering's new Terry Baucom tonering and rim, this beauty delivers a traditional flat head sound with plenty of POP! Guaranteed to cut through in a crowd. The highly figured maple neck and resonator are finished in a gorgeous gloss sunburst and bound with crisp white binding. The fingerboard is inlaid with a traditional “hearts and flowers” pattern. With custom Deering hard case List $4661 Our price $CALL Stock# NBB29988* photo
New! Deering Golden Wreath: Another great offering from Greg and Janet Deering! Built as a faithful reproduction of the classic banjos of the 1930’s, the Wreath has a mahogany neck and resonator (now bound with ivoroid binding), an unplated 20 hole sand cast bell bronze tone ring, and a 3 ply maple rim which combine to give it a warm yet punchy tone. Beautifully made right here in San Diego County! With hard case. List $4529 BuffaloBros. price $CALL Stock# NBB27279* photo
Used Deering Golden Wreath: An immaculately maintained example of Deering's updated version of the '30s Mastertone flathead. This Mahogany neck and resonator 5 stringer has all the pop you could ask for, it just crackles when you lean into it. Crank down hard and dig into the strings and the banjo gives back all you need. With hard case. $2350 Stock#UBB18339 photo
New! Deering Golden Wreath: With hard case. List $4529 BuffaloBros. price $CALL Stock#NBB27379 photo
Used Fender Leo 5 string: A terrific sounding Bluegrass banjo with a sand cast flathead tone ring. Lots of volume and excellent tone in an instrument named for someone whose name is synonymous with electric guitars. With hard case. $1250 Stock#UBB28702* photo
New! Flinthill FHB280: Most banjo players agree that the ideal bluegrass banjo was the flathead built in very limited quantities during the 1930's. To meet this demand and to offer it at a price any player could afford, may we present the Flinthill FHB280. Not built just to be able offer a medium priced instrument, but designed to give players a giant step up from their entry level instrument with features advanced and professional players really want. Cast bronze flathead tone ring, multi-ply rim and nickel plated hardware! Intermediate player or pro, you're gonna love this one! With hard case. $799 Stock#NBB30992
New! Flinthill FHB282: Bet you were clever enough to figure out that FHB stood for flat head banjo. The hallowed cast flathead tone ring, much desired by players at all levels, is present here in this gold plated beauty. Bet you can't wait to get your hands on this one! With hard case. $999 Stock#NBB30989
Used Gibson Earl Scruggs Mastertone: Earl started it, so it is fitting that the Gibson folks should honor him with an instrument beftiiting his legendary status in the musical world. The Mastertone flathead tone ring is at the heart of this 5 string monster backed with the neck profile that fits the master's hand to a T. Aspiring Scruggsers can do no better than to own this nicely maintained example of the art of Gibson. With gig bag. $2800 Stock#UBC30576*
Used Ode Model D 6500: A beautiful vintage Ode from the past. This is an early Baldwin example with Walnut neck and resonator and the patented tone ring as first developd by Chuck Ogsbury. In very nice condition including the addition of Keith-Bump tuners. For a melodic style player, the tone is that perfect combination of bell like overtones and ringing highs. With hard case. $3500 Stock#UBB30552 photo
New! Ome Juniper Bluegrass: One may ask: "What is it that gives Ome banjos that amazingly clear tone?" Chuck Ogsbury, the genius behind the Ome name (and also Ode in the '60s), has never been one to follow the designs of other makers. While many copy the flathead tone ring as seen on the 1930s Mastertones, Chuck instead set out to develop his own tone. Voila! the Mega-Tone tone ring. The Megatone tone ring hides nothing in its reproduction of the entire aural spectrum. Each note rings clear and true. Plenty of sparkling highs and lots of volume too. For devotees of the style of Bill Keith, Bobby Thompson, and Bela Fleck, An Ome banjo enhances the melodic style of playing. You should try it! With hard case. $2995 Stock#NGB30446 photo
New! Recording King RK-50 Melody King: A terrific value in a Bluegrass banjo. The RK-50 features A Mahogany neck & Resonator, beveled-wood tone ring, and premium pre-war-style features. The RK-50 Recording King banjo is the best value in an introductory level instrument. This one has the classic Recording King components, and great traditional Bluegrass tone. With hard case. $CALL Stock#NBB30648*
New! Recording King Osborne Scout: The result of intense collaboration between Recording King's master designer, Greg Rich, and Bluegrass legend Sonny Osborne, has produced this "kick a**" Bluegrass banjo that has everything a player could want. No wonder so many players of national stature are currently using the Osborne Scout in their personal appearances. This Bluegrass monster has a one-piece flamed maple resonator, matching neck, a bound Rosewood fretboard, with the Sonny Osborne Arrowhead fretboard and peghead inlay. The killer tone comes from the 3-Ply Maple Rim, with flathead Mastertone style tone ring. The entire instrument responds easily to the touch, yet can produce festival filling volume and projection as well. With hard case. $1699 Stock#NBB30650, NBB30963 photo
Used Recording King Osborne Scout: Here's an immaculately maintained, previously owned example of the Bluegrass banjo everyone's raving about. The cast bronze tone ring sits atop an multi-ply Maple rim with a maple neck and resonator too. You can get the buy of a lifetime right here. With hard case. $1299 Stock#UBB29180
Used Stelling Masterflower: For those who love the elegant look of Walnut, the neck and resonator of this immaculately maintained Masterflower will be your dream come true. Built on the Tony Pass 600TS "old wood" rim, with the Stelling cast tone ring and the same inlay pattern as the Sunflower, this one has tons of tone and a kick like a mule. The bound peghead and purfling on the resonator are an added bonus to the outstanding appearance of this classic five. With hard case. $3500 Stock#UBB24968* photo BUY NOW
Used! Stewart MacDonald BG: The Stewart- MacDonald Company in Athens, Ohio, has guitar, banjo & mandolin kits that can be assembled by folks with reasonable woodworking skills. The quality of the parts supplied are good and the resulting quality of the instrument is solely dependent on the skill of the person assembling the banjo. This one was put together by a fellow in West Virginia, who in our opinion, should be building banjos for a living instead of selling insurance or working at Starbuck's or whatever he does to receive a weekly paycheck. The craftsmanship is first rate here with the finish (the hardest part) being smooth and even and well done. The neck is straight, playable, and the fretting is excellent. This is one you can buy and take it home ready to play for less than the price of the kit, finishing supplies, sandpaper, etc. With hard case. $1000 Stock#UBB25943*
Used Tennessee Crafters Flathead Deluxe: A true Bluegrass Classic in every sense of the word. The folks at Tennessee Crafters, under the watchful eye of Mark Taylor, know how to build Bluegrass instruments. In the heart of the Bluegrass country, with a lineage that stretches back to Dobro playing legend, Tut Taylor, they have the feel for making them right. This gold plated, beautifully inlaid 5 string Deluxe model features a cast flathead tone ring that with make you sit up and take notice, even if you are across the parking lot at a festival. Great piercing high end, plenty of solid D string bass, and that edge that has the ability to sterilize birds at 100 yards! With hard case. $3000 Stock#UBB14125*
Just In! 1930 Vega Vegaphone Artist Conversion: A nicely made repro 5 string neck has been mated to a 1930 Vega rim to produce this handsome and great sounding banjo. The figured maple neck has a carved heal and is clad with an ebony fingerboard that has been carefully inlaid with engraved mother of pearl. The headstock is also inlaid front an back with the front featuring the famous “man eating fern” design that Vega used only on their highest grade instruments. The original 1930 rim has a 4 piece flange, an original pie section style resonator and all the hardware has been gold plated. With hard case. BuffaloBros. price $4000 Stock# UBB30907 photo
ca. 1975 Vega FB-5: The Vega company was purchased in the early 70s by C.F. Martin & Co. the famous guitar makers. Basically, Martin took over the venerable Vega company and assembled banjos from the inventory that Vega had on hand to fill the need created by the Folk Boom that started in the '60s. This model has the Martin/Vega label inside and is part Little Wonder and part Folk Ranger with a resonator and flange thrown in to appeal to the Bluegrass crowd. (remember... this was the era when Earl Scruggs was a Vega endorsee ). The banjo has a significantly bright tone and the neck is very playable as well. A good choice for a student who wants an affordable better-than-entry-level banjo, or a festival instrument for more advanced players. With hard case. $1000 Stock#UBB29560*
1934 Gibson MB-1 Mandolin Banjo: This is the ultimate jug band instrument (loud and obnoxious) ! Great jug bands such as The Pinkham Orchestra, always had the good taste to NOT use one! Set up with a new skin head and ready to play with good action and great tone, this old Gibson mando-banjo has a 10-1/2” Maple rim and Maple resonator. It is in excellent condition with a repaired crack in the neck heel. With original hard case. $1000. Stock# UBB20148. PHOTO
1927 Gibson TB-0: A spanky sounding resonated tenor, or a prime candidate for a 5 string conversion. This 11" Maple rim has a shoe and diamond plate flange set up, a full thickness rim, and single bound resonator. Leaning into it with a flatpick, you get loads of projection and volume. Enough to be heard at even the most raucous Ceili ! But we bet there's a Bluegrasser out there who can't wait to get his hands on this rim & resonator combination too! With hard case. $1250 Stock#UBC30511 photo
Used Lark In The Morning Banjitar: Get your Gary Davis on with this reasonably priced 6 string banjo that you can tune like a guitar. You'll be playing banjo instantly! The Rev. Gary Davis could make one of these talk! If you want to hear a more comtemporary approach, get a copy of Harvey reid's "The Art of the 6 String Banjo". Or, get this banjo and blaze your own musical trail! With hard case. $400 Stock#UBB30172*
ca. 1924 Orpheum No. 1 Plectrum: Collectors and players alike can start calling now to purchase this wonderful vintage plectrum banjo. This open back beauty has a terrific tone. Aficionados of vintage banjos as well as players who love the vintage sound with all attest to the greatness of the Orpheum instruments. The exquisite inlays on the fingerboard are Orpheum's unique mixture of abalone, mother of pearl and snail shell. Yes, you read it right, snail shell. Apparently after the French were done dipping the little guys in garlic and wine, the shells were scooped up and shipped to Orpheum to decorate the fretboards of their banjos. Strange eh? With hard case $1000 Stock#UBB27152 photo
Just In! Slingerland Tenor: (Exc) This amazing mother-of-toilet-seat encrusted beauty has a 19 fret neck, wonderful Art Deco resonator flanges and great vintage tone and vibe. Originial hard shell case. $450 Stock#UBB30908 photo
1921 Vega Style N tenor: Now back off all ye who would cut apart this sweet little tenor banjo to make an old timey 5 string out of it. With its 17 fret neck and geared tuners this would make a great Celtic banjo or ragtime tenor, so let's just let somebody enjoy it as it is. With gig bag $350 Stock#29756 photo
1928 Vegaphone Professional: From the Jazz age comes this fine old Vega tenor banjo with its Tubaphone tone ring, 4 piece flange and pie sectioned maple resonator. In excellent original condition this sweet, punchy sounding banjo is poised to offer another 80 years of musical delight. With original hard case. BuffaloBros. price $1500 Stock# UBB29984 photo
1924 Vega Whyte Laydie tenor: Gather 'round ye Celtophiles! This is your dream banjo. A mid-1920s Vega with the hallowed Whyte Laydie tone ring. These scalloped tone rings from the early quarter century have that unique tone that not only rings out with supreme clarity as it should, but also has rich sounding overtones as well. The shorter 17 fret neck is superb in its playability. If you're looking for one of these, this is THE one! With original hard case. $1200 Stock#UBC29170 PHOTO
Please note: All instruments that have stock numbers followed by an asterisk (*) are in stock at our San Diego store. Please call Tom @ (619) 280-9035 for further information.
Looking for something special? We can't possibly list all we have ~ so please ask!