Knight Top Tension Tenor Banjo
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Hand built 19 fret top tension tenor banjo from the best materials you’ll not find another world wide this is a true one off banjo. Rock maple neck with ebony fretboard, black plastic side binding and side position maker dots. I think its nice the builder left out mother of pearl inlay on the fret board. The headstock has a layer of rosewood over the maple bearing the name ‘Knight’ and mother of pearl inlay logo. This is identical to the design of the Gibsom PB7 top tension banjo which Hawthorn banjos also use. The neck is also fitted with a truss rod and has geared tuners installed with pearl type plastic buttons.
The pot setup uses a top tension hoop with 24 solid through bolts, a thick one piece flange with 4 resonator attachment screws. The 11″ Five Star medium crown head is stretched over a flat head tone ring which gives this banjo some serious power and projection. Kershner tailpiece and armrest fitted and maple and ebony bridge. The resonator is made from a 2 piece solid maple back which has been lathe turned to produce a sound projection curve, the sidewalls are also made from maple with double black purfling.
The nut width is 30mm and has a 23″ scale length, low action and very easy to play. This banjo weighs in at 11.5KG so a banjo strap is recommended (included in sale). Comes with a solid case.
For Sale £2200 Reduced £1950
Video coming soon
Paragon Reproduction Tenor Banjo
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About the Banjo
A quality built 19 fret tenor banjo using the best woods and some original Clifford Essex Paragon banjo parts. The banjo was built in 2012 by Jim Patton using the exact build plans as Essex banjos in the 1930’s so every detail is as accurate as the original. The figured maple neck is multi-laminated both in the centre and under the fret board for strength and stability. Ebony fretboard with white side binding and fancy mother of pearl position markers. The ebony headstock is also identical to the original Mother of pearl design bearing the name of the owner Parajim (instead of Paragon). Jim Barcoe had plans to begin manufacturing these Paragon replica’s and had a total of 3 built, but sadly passed away in 2018. This banjo is with currently me which is on consignment from his son to sell on his behalf.
Banjo details
The neck is 32mm width at the nut and has a scale length of 23.5″. The lathe turned rim is made from rock maple capped top and bottom with rosewood. The rim design has 24 drilled holes to channel the sound waves from the tone ring. The shoes are mounted on the side skirt, similar to the vega artist design and the flange has the circular hole design. I’ve fitted a new 11″ Clareen black med crown head, which if preferred can be swapped over for a white, clear or renaissance head. The scalloped tension ring, tailpiece, tone ring and flange setup are all original Paragon parts. The resonator is also made from maple and is concaved to match the Paragon design. The banjo has all of the sound characteristics of the original model which you will hear in the video. Comes with a newer type Grafton hardshell case.
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