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
New! Deering Parlour Goodtime: This banjo does triple duty. Use it either as a travel banjo whose diminutive size can easily be carried aboard public transportation. Or perhaps as a extra fine student instrument. Then again, this makes the perfect second banjo for tuning in 'A' so as to make life easier for you when you run into all your fiddler friends who think that the only keys music can be played in are 'A' and 'D'. $call Stock#NBB31272
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#NBB30967, NBB31239, NGB31237*, NGB31236*, NGB31235*, NGB31234*
Used Deering Goodtime: Bargain hunters, here you are! A beautifully maintained example of the USA made Deering all Maple open back Goodtime. Priced significantly lower than the already minimally priced new version, this is one you can buy without even the slightest dent in the budget. $299 Stock#UBB27337
Used Deering Basic: Deering has long been one of the most prolific American banjo makers since Greg and Janet started the company back when we all drove VW buses. Their mission statement is clear, make affordable American made banjos for every player. The basic is one that goes way back to the roots of Deering. A well made Mahogany neck matched to an aluminum rim that offers tone and playabilty that are outstanding in its price range. This is an even better value due to the previous owner trading up to a new Golden Era. With hard case. $600 Stock#UBB31150 photo
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
Just In! c.1890 Fairbanks and Cole (Exc-) Built by A.C. Fairbanks shortly after the breakup of Fairbanks and Cole, this lovely little banjo is marked with both the Fairbanks and Fairbanks and Cole makers stamps. It has an 11” spunover rim and is fitted with a calfskin head. Its mahogany neck is clad with an ebony figerboard and inlaid with edge cut mother of pearl. Currently strung with steel strings, this beautiful banjo has a fine old time tone. BuffaloBros. price $950. Stock# UBB31363
New! Gold Tone BC-120: A wonderfully affordable member of the Bob Carlin Gold Tone Banjo family. This Bob Carlin model features a 12" rim and a Renaissance head. The traditional Vintage old-timey neck dseign has a wider fretboard with the end of the board scooped. The traditional design carries over to the "No Knot" tailpiece and the "hot dog" vintage-style armrest. With gig bag. $470 Stock#NBB31256*
New! Gold Tone CC-100+ : You'd be hard pressed to find an entry level open back banjo that has the features and tone of the Gold Tone CC-100+. The all Maple neck and body construction features a rolled brass tone ring, 2 way adjustable truss rod, and planetary tuners, for that total traditional experience at an entry level price. With gig bag. $410 Stock#NBB31260*
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
Just In! New! Allen Hart “Billy B” Minstrel Style Banjo: Based on the William Boucher banjos of the 1840’s, this well made minstrel style fretless banjo has a 12” rim, accurate reproduction hardware and a fine vintage tone. Hand built by Seattle banjo player Allen Hart, we think these are some of the best Minstrel banjo reproductions being made today. BuffaloBros. price $850 Stock# NBC31286
c.1890’s Luscomb: 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*
New! Ome Sweetgrass 12: Make no mistake about it. This is a HUGE sounding open back with a 12" hard rock Maple rim and Ome's patented Mega-tone tone ring. Speaking of ringing, this one rings forever! With a beautiful tone that can carry from one holler to the next, this is the one you'll love. With hard case $CALL Stock#NBB31566
1880s August Pollman & Sons Banjo Lute: With the recent popularity of the "Dobjo" and other similar 5 string guitar like instruments, one can see the lineage from the original instrument, the August Pollman & sions banjo-lute. A mandolin shaped body with a short scale 5 string neck, extremely light, highly collectable, and a terrifically sweet sounding player. With gig bag. $650 Stock#UBB31246
1896 S.S. Stewart Special Thoroughbred: In 1878, the S.S. Stewart Co. began making their spun-over rim banjos. Many were highly ornate and are well respected as being among the finest of the classical style banjos. They were usually shipped with nylon or gut strings, but that didn't stop the folks in the rural areas from outfitting them with metal strings and rather than the classical, fingerstyle of playing, they tore into the instrument with abandon in the clawhammer, frailing, and other styles. The Special Thoroughbred is one of the more popular models and was available in four different versions. This version, occasionally known as the style 2, is nicely ornamented and in very fine playing condition. With hard case. $1750 Stock#UBB31362
1920s Van Epps: Fred Van Epps was an extremely popular banjo player whose career started in 1897 and lasted until his passing in 1960. He was a remarkable musician who also tinkered with improving the instrument. Along with Henry Burr, he formed the Van Epps banjo company that produced this unique instrument until 1930. Obsessed with obtaining more volume, he invented a metal internal resonator that projected the sound through a hole cut in the banjo head. Most examples of the Van Epps banjo have long since been converted to a standard head and the metal dome shaped resonators were discarded. Players often wonder what they instrument would sound like in its original form. Wonder no longer. This ORIGINAL Van Epps is completely intact with its metal reflector in place and the neatly cut hole in the head. It sounds remarkable and produces a very loud tone. With hard case. $2500 Stock#UBB31367 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
New! Deering Goodtime 2: The great Deering Goodtime, here with a resonator for all the aspiring Bluegrass pickers. $529 Stock# NBB31270, NBB31271, NBB 31277*
Used Deering Goodtime 2: Very nicely maintained version of the Deering 'starter' Bluegrass banjo. With gig bag. $450 Stock#UBB24527*
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: 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
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
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*
1952 Gibson RB100: The RB100 was made alongside the RB250 Mastertone with the same construction. The RB100 differed in that it did not have the Mastertone style tone ring and had simple dot inlay on the unbound fretboard. But savvy pickers know that with the addition of a Mastertone tone ring (such as the one installed here) you have a "stealth" Mastertone with all the punch and power at a reduced price. Our theory (also held by such banjo gurus as Tony Pass) is that the wood rim, the aged hard rock Maple rim, is part of the secret to the tone. The Maple rim in this banjo is over 50 years old, the tone ring is an Arthur Hatfield cast bell bronze flathead. This is the combination that produces the tone pickers love. With original hard case. $1950 Stock#UBB30546
New! Huber Lancaster: In the search for the classic pre-war flathead sound, the leader of the pack has got to be Huber. Steve Huber's "vintage flathead" tone ring, matched to his 3 ply hard rock Maple rim produces the sound the pickers love. Strong, solid bass notes on the D string augmented by razor sharp highs, especially up the neck. The Lancaster has a traditional Mahogany neck and resonator with the nut width being 1-3/16" wide and the scale length being 26-1/4". Steve Huber is a strong player in the classic Bluegrass style and knows just what tonal point to aim for in a classic Bluegrass instrument. Not only has he aimed for that point, but has hit it squarely on target. With hard case. $4050 Stock#NBB31306*
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 developed 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 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 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*
Just In! circa 1930 Epiphone Mayfair Tenor (Exc) 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
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. $1150 Stock#UBC30511 photo
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, 19 frets, 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!