New! Doc's 11/24: Patrick "Doc" Huff lives with his family amid the natural beauty of the coastal range mountains in Oregon. He builds banjos that are as organic looking as they are to hear. Beautiful, hand crafted rims and necks lovingly crafted by this master woodworker and banjo maker. This wonderful sounding open back features a traditional styled 11" rim of Eban wood with a Cocobolo tone ring. The tonal aspects are amazing! Deep, rich bass as well as treble that rings out true. The neck is also constructed of Eban wood with an Oregon White Oak streamer and an Ebony fretboard. In this day and age, it is difficult to find anything that is not mass produced or not manufactured in Asia. This 24" scale banjo sounds wonderful and is a real American made hand crafted work of art. With hard case. $2400 Stock#NBC33851 photo
ca. 1890 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 each 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
1967 Gibson RB-175 Long Neck: The invention of the 5 string banjo is shrouded in folklore with varying accounts of how it came to be. However, the long neck version is definitely the creation of Mr. Pete Seeger. Years ago Mr. Seeger found that his voice sounded best about 3 frets below standard banjo tuning. He took his banjo to Mr. John D'Angelico in New York City where the famed guitar maker added 3 more frets to Mr. Seeger's banjo. When the great folk group fad hit in the '50s and '60s, you couldn't show yourself on stage with a standard necked instrument. No, it had to be the long neck version with a capo at the 3rd fret, because goodness knows, you wouldn't actually play it in the lower register, unless of course, you had Pete Seeger's vocal range. Vega, Gibson, Ode, and many other makers jumped on the long neck bandwagon and began to churn out extended neck varieties. Some have found their way into dusty closets, others have been passed down to generations who regard them as curiosities and shrug their shoulders and move on. However, if you pick the banjo and have a voice in the second tenor range, then climb on board with George Grove, Dick Weissman, Alex Hassilev and others and embrace your folk roots. With original chipboard case. $1000 Stock#UBB33774 photo
New! Ome Minstrel: This fine new model from Chuck Ogsbury and the folks at Ome has a tone ring-less 12" maple rim with only 14 tension hooks and a mahogany neck with a scroll style headstock. Based on the minstrel banjos of the 19th century, this meticulously built beauty plays easily and has that fine old time tone. With hard case. List $1895 BuffaloBros. price $1789 Stock# NUB34305
New! Recording King RB-024 California Deluxe: Extremely attractive special version of the Recording King open back banjo that offers extreme value in tone and playability for the money. Look in the back of the banjo. See that? Yes, you're right, it is the hallowed Whyte Laydie tone ring. The tone ring that is the subject of clawhammer dreams. Play it! Isn't that wonderful! With gig bag BuffaloBros price: $799 Stock#NBB34715
New! Recording King RK-25 BR: It takes a really exceptional instrument to get us all excited about recommending it to our friends. This is just one such instrument. This open back beauty is not only attractive to the eye, but it also has the tone that is recognized among players as that authentic "old timey" sound. In keeping with the old time crowds legendary penuriousness, it is also very affordable. List: $519 BuffaloBros. price: $399 Stock# SOLD OUT MORE SOON.
New! Bart Reiter Round Peak: No wonder this is the most desirable new banjo in clawhammer circles. This 12" rim open back has that tone. That perfect balance of brilliant ringing tone with that down home plunkiness that rings of authenticity. If you want a great banjo without having to worry if parts will start falling off when the playing gets rowdy, then just look this way. With hard case. BuffaloBros. price: $1295 Stock#NBB34609 photo
1925 Vega/Mullins Little Wonder: Sweet sounding 1925 11" Little wonder rim with a nicely executed maple 5 string neck by Clancy Mullins. The Little Wonder model features a wooden rim with the small rolled tone ring that has that plunky tone that still retains crisp highs. Just the sound modern players are seeking. Setup with geared tuners and a No-knot tailpiece, this easy playing banjo has a fine vintage tone. With hard case BuffaloBros price $1500. Stock# UBC34536
1910 Vega Whyte Laydie #2: Yes, this IS the real thing. An original 5 string Vega Whyte Laydie that's over 100 years old. Not for the collector as a few parts have been replaced and the instrument shows signs of wear (it has been PLAYED for over 100 years. what do you expect?). However, this wonderful sounding instrument has everyone who plays it nodding their heads with approval and smiling form ear to ear. It's all about the tone, and this one has plenty of it. If you're a player who has been hoping for a vintage Whyte Laydie, here's your opportunity to obtain a fine sounding example at an extremely reasonable price. With chipboard case. $2500 Stock#UBC34334 photo
1922 Vega Style M Tubaphone: Terrific sounding Vega Tubaphone with repro 5 string neck by Wyatt Fawley. This has that wonderfully bright and crisp tone that all the players want. In very fine condition with great action and plenty of volume that can be easily heard all the way across the field at your next fextival. With hard case. $1850 Stock#UBC34537
Used Deering Deluxe: The Deering Deluxe offers exceptional value in a Bluegrass style banjo. A real sand cast flathead style tone ring produces that sound that any hard driving picker would be proud to claim as his or her own. All the R&D that Deering put into the Deluxe model was to bring out the power and tone. Simple appointments like a Mahogany neck and resonator make this a stealth tone monster. Not eye popping flashy appointments, just pure tone and volume. With hard case. $1800 Stock#UBB34844
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 ( bound with ivoroid), 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
New! Deering Golden Wreath: The Golden Wreath is Deering's take on one of the most coveted banjos in the world, the 1930s flathead. The unplated Deering -06- 20 Hole Polished Bronze Tone Ring that is fitted to the 3-ply rock maple rim is an exact replica of the most sought after pot configuration of the famous 1930’s banjos. The cast one piece resonator flange is the exact zinc alloy with the same mass and design of the original; these are the key ingredients to achieve the classic sound. With hard case. List: $4529 BuffaloBros. price $CALL Stock#NBB27379 photo
New! Deering Eagle II: A new and very exciting Bluegrass style 5 string from Deering. Make no mistake about it, the Eagle II is a professional grade instrument. Featuring Deering's ground breaking, patent pending Twenty-Ten Tone Ring A completely original Deering design that produces a high quality and punchy sound that is versatile with plenty of presence. While the sound is uniquely Eagle, it represents a refinement in the quality of banjo tone. Crisp, and possessed of that ring that can be heard across the festival grounds, it also has the bass response so often lacking in the majority of Bluegrass styled instruments. You really ought to try this one! With hard case. List: $2399 $CALL Stock#NBB34176 photo
New! Recording King RKR-20: Here's a great banjo to start you on your journey to Bluegrass fame & fortune. A replica of the banjo that Earl Scruggs made famous. This flathead, all Mahogany 5 string will keep you at the top of the heap in any jam you attend. Everything is here: fast neck, tone, volume. It even looks good too! BuffaloBros. price: $399 Stock#NBB34729, NBB34730, NBB34731
New! Recording King RKR-25: This is the upgraded model from the RKR-20. And what an upgrade!! The RKR-20s bracket shoe and single piece flange has been upgraded to a early Gibson tube & plate style. The tuning machines, tailpiece and bracket band are stronger & sturdier. AND.... there is an honest to goodness cast flathead tone ring that snaps and crackles when you put picks to the strings. Terrific instrument that's a major step up for the Bluegrass picker in all of us. BuffaloBros. price: $599. Stock#NBB34709, NBB34710, NBB34711
New! Recording King RK-75 Elite: Recording King's most traditional Pre-war style banjo ever. Modeled after the original Mastertone banjos of the 1930's, the Recording King RK Elite offers players vintage sound and handcrafted construction. Classic Mastertone-style flathead tone ring, 3-ply maple rim. Double-cut Recording King peghead and custom Flying Eagle-style peghead and fretboard inlay. Mahogany resonator and neck, with dual 1930s style coordinator rods. A terrific sounding, elegant looking banjo. With hard case. BuffaloBros. (msrp: $1899) price: $CALLStock#NBB32248
1979 Stelling Golden Cross: Geoff Stelling is a banjo maker whose instruments have become legendary for their power and volume. The list of players who have played Stelling banjos would fill an encyclopedia of well known pickers. This early 1979 Golden Cross will demonstrate to you all that makes a Stelling so impressive. Starting with the Stelling block pot and compression fit flathead tone ring and continuing to the curly Maple neck and resonator, this is a beautiful instrument in all respects. With hard case. $3000 Stock#UBC34519
c. 1930 Epiphone Mayfair Tenor: Nice vintage tenor banjo with a simple brass tone ring, a 19 fret walnut neck and very cool floral decal on the back of its walnut resonator. Epiphone built the Mayfair between 1928 and 1935 and this fine example is all original except for replacement patent style tuners. With vintage hard shell case. BuffaloBros. price $850 Stock# UBB31038 photo
1968 Gibson TB-800: This tenor banjo from Gibson is highly desirable by 5 string players. The reason is that the tone ring is one of the top tone producers in the Bluegrass realm. Tenor players unite! Stand firm against these guys coming along and putting a 5 string neck on this. The world will lose a great tenor banjo. On the other hand, if you're a Bluegrasser looking for a great pot for your next Bluegrass bombshell banjo, get on the phone, send us an email, or a carrier pigeon right away. This gold plated banjo with the flying Eagle inlay pattern is your heart's desire. With hard case. $2850 Stock#UBC34529
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
1927 Vega Style M tenor: Tuba, tuba, tubaphone! Buy one and play it all alone... or in a Celtic band or convert it to a five string and amaze your old-timey friends with the volume and clarity coming from this unassuming open back tenor. With original hard case. $1250 Stock#UBC33019 photo
Looking for something special? We can't possibly list all we have ~ so please ask!