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1927 Gibson Mastertone archtop tenor banjo. It’s always interesting if there is a history or a story attached to a musical instrument, this particular banjo came from the late estate of Sandy Riner based in Florida who was a well known jazz player of his time. The pot assembly and resonator are original dating to 1927 with a 1927 Gibson Mastertone TB4 neck fitted, only difference from an original construction is the serial numbers are different. There is information on the database Gibson banjo from this site  I have highlighted the line below.

Year of manufacture: 1927

Serial Number: 8836-26

Auction Sale: Sandy Riner’s banjo; I/N Auction 1/2007: $3,990

About the banjo

This model is the non hole archtop tone ring compared to the earlier 1926 ball bearing tonering. Maple rim with arch top tonering fitted with white frosted Remo head. 24 hooks and huts with tube and flange pot assembly. The mahogany resonator has white side binding and the 2 concentric rings on the back. The condition of the resonator is excellent and shows the beautiful mahogany grain. The overall plating throughout is in excellent condition, replacement clamshell tail piece and newer armrest fitted. This TB4 model features the hearts and flowers headstock MOP and H&F MOP position markers on the ebony fretboard.  White binding to side of neck and white heel cap, pancake geared tuners all working well and holding tune. The action is low and plays perfectly up the neck with no fret buzzes. The sound this banjo produces is really sweet, sustaining but great cut and attack. Comes with an original Gibson hardshell case.

For Sale: offers around £2950  Reduced to £2795

Paragon-01

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Here we have another of the great tenor banjos set up for the Irish tenor banjo scene. Clifford Essex top tension 19 fret tenor banjo, which started its life as a plectrum banjo and was professionally converted to a tenor by the renowned luthier Robert Aylward. The top tension Paragon sound different to the CE models, the sound projection from the tone chamber excels power and pure tone. When you want volume, you got it, when you want sustain, you got it. As with the Epiphone range of tenor banjos, Clifford Essex Paragon stand side by side in the ranking of ‘want to own’ top tenor banjos.

Banjo details

19 fret maple neck with centre laminate strips with white side binding, black dot position markers and ebony fretboard. Original mother of pearl inlay on fret board and headstock bearing the Paragon name. The new neck is fitted with a truss rod for extra stability and new frets. The gold plated geared tuners are vintage Grover type 2 in perfect working order. The rock maple heel cap is also multi laminated and is profiled exactly as the original plectrum neck. The pot assembly is all original with excellent nickel plating throughout. Original Clifford Essex tailpiece and tailpiece slide cover. Original armrest with height adjuster. The rim is constructed from 1″ block maple with 20 drilled holes through to the perforated tone ring. This unique construction creates a passthrough for the soundwaves to deflect of the concave resonator and then projecting the sound out through the holes in the flange. This banjo is solid in construction, from the tension hoop, tension bolts, flange, tone ring etc it just reflects the mastery of the Clifford Essex Banjo Company. The concave resonator is not only is designed for sound reflection but also sits nice and snug against your tum! No need for description here, the photos tell it all.

The banjo comes with the original Clifford Essex plectrum case in great condition.

For Sale £4375

Have a listen to the sound of this fabulous Paragon by my good friend Miceal Mullen