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There were so many tenor banjo builders in the 1920’s and I guess it’s all about a knowledge base and recommendations to suit Irish trad playing. The likes of Paramount, Vega, B&D are a popular choice but I would have no problems recommending the Stromberg setup as for Trad Irish playing..

Some History

The Charles Stromberg Marimba model tenor banjo was built around 1927. It features a Cupperphone tone ring in an archtop configuration. The Cupperphone ring consists of a series of tubes set on an upright shelf directly under the head. Five piece neck consisting of 2 outer pieces of walnut laminated with centre maple and double ebony strips. The headstock is capped with ebony bearing the Stromberg name and inset rhinestones. The elaborate mother of pearl inlay position markers add nice decoration to the fret board. The Grover pancake geared tuners are in perfect working condition and hold tuning well. Comes with original vintage black hardshell case/purple lining in great condition. 

I have always been a great fan of the founder of www.4stringbanjos.com Vinnie Mondello, and have known for some time now his love of Stromberg banjos. I found the following review online that Vinnie had written when he appraised a Stromberg for an owner. I’ll leave everything as is written by Vinnie, but is is remarkable that William Lange of Paramount banjos was contracted by Charles Stromberg to make various parts of his banjos. Also Vinnie’s Grandfather’s connection to the Vega company where he worked. Please see details below from Vinnie…..

My Grandfather and Father were friends of the Strombergs and worked there helping out, its a neat window on my life and why I do 4 string banjos.  Some info on that baby. You are right on the stones. When Stromberg does use stones, they are in little metal buckets and inset in the peg head. And i cannot say I have ever seen them on a Marimba, only the Deluxe’s They are always the ones in the metal buckets tho. The wood is Maple neck, made by Wm Lange under contract. The rim, cut to Stromberg specs. made by Vega Chas and my Granpa worked at Vega as well, there was no competition between that small shop and Vega, all friendly. All of the early openback CHas.A. Stromberg and Son, were Vega wood, Waverly/Grover hardware, cast tailpiece that was “In shop_ fabricated Now by the time period of your Marimba , they went to a resonator with flange and that also was contracted by Wm Lange in NYC, and the back veneer is rosewood. That flange is a Lange variant, also sold to Slingerland with a little different cut out and one single piece, not 4. Armrest is by “King.” The sidewall is maple, and that black striping is faux. Found that out the hard way many moons ago! LOL. Hope that all helps, good luck with it.’ Here is a link to the original review .

By Four string expert Vinnie Mondello

Banjo is for sale £1675

video coming soon

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Recently hand built 17 fret short scale, open back tenor banjo by English luthier Thomas Jones from Bury. The neck is made from mahogany with ebony headstock overlay shaped in the familiar design known to Thomas Jones. Mother of pearl star inlay on headstock fitted with geared tuners with solid ebony buttons. Ebony fretboard with abalone diamond & rectangular position markers and side dots, 17 frets with zero fret at nut. 32mm Bone nut width but with thinner neck thickness profile and long heel butt. Very solid neck design fitted with truss rod and 22″ scale length.

The pot is made from solid block maple, lathe turned with cocabola rosewood tone ring and cocabola bottom capped rim. 24 shoes with round hooks and nuts and notched tension ring. The neck is attached to the rim by 2 solid brass coordinator rods, made and fitted by Patsy Toman from Lurgan (Thanks Patsy). Fitted with Remo white top 11″ medium head. clamshell tailpiece, ebony/maple bridge and nickel plated armrest. The banjo has a beautiful rich woody tone with nice sustain and low action. Comes with a brand new Clareen Polyfoam case.

For sale £950

video coming soon