Reviews
Best place this side of the Atlantic to buy a vintage tenor banjo
Read some of our testimonials from happy customers
Rioga Custom Short ScaleTenor Banjo
The buying experience through Paul is a pleasure and a genuinely first-class service. Paul communicated very honestly, quickly and with clear knowledge and passion in all things banjo. Paul arranged shipment to the UK very quickly and it arrived safe and sound in perfect condition with clear communication supporting this. Paul also followed up to ensure a satisfied customer. I would highly recommend buying from Paul any banjo – however I may personally never have that need again:
The banjo – wow! I was attracted by the aesthetics of the banjo in the pictures initially. Paul followed up my initial enquiry with a video and the sound accelerated by interest, I was sold. Upon receipt the look and sound have both exceeded my already high expectations. In person the banjo is a stunner, the finish is of the highest I have seen on any banjo from any maker to date. You can see and feel the care, passion and attention to detail that John the craftsman who built this put into this. Then the sound, this is where I was most surprised vs my historical view of 17 fret banjos. It has a perfect balanced overall tone, with good sustain and volume. It is so easy to play, set up brilliantly with low buzz free action. The arm rest and neck in particular are quite unique but are great innovative touches from the maker, in both feel/function and also aesthetics.
Could not be happier with this purchase and feel very lucky to have this banjo in my life!
Sam Morley: Sheffield, England
OME Monarch Tenor Banjo
I bought a OME Monarch tenor banjo from Pure Banjo and I am still in love with the instrument. Paul took a great deal of trouble to show me a number of banjos which might suit me and I really enjoyed the whole buying experience. The OME banjo was in pristine condition exactly as advertised and it came with friendly guidance on how to get the most out of it.
Richard Kyle: County Antrim, Ireland
Vega Artist style X No.9 Tenor Banjo
I purchased a Vega Artist style X no.9 from Pure Banjo, from the start I had not only Paul’s expertise in restoration work but also in shipping which was all arranged by him to me in Germany 🇩🇪 It arrived in perfect condition as Paul had gone to pains to insure it would arrive so. I’m extremely thankful to Paul for delivering this high standard of service, the banjo is fantastic! ☘️🪕 Thanks Paul once again, see you soon hopefully!
David in Germany
David Torbitt: Bad Salzuflen, Germany
Epiphone Concert Dragon
Tenor Banjo
Epiphone Concert Dragon Tenor Banjo
First class service from Paul, was an absolute pleasure buying a banjo from Pure Banjo. Great communication from start to finish, excellent packaging for safe European shipping and when the banjo arrived I couldn’t believe it was almost 100 years old. Paul does such a professional restoration job on all of his instruments, totally recommended.
DF.Horstal / Düsseldorf, Germany
Vega Vegaphone Professional
Tenor Banjo
Vega Vegaphone Professional Tenor Banjo
First class service from Pure Banjo, this is my second banjo I’ve bought from Paul in the past three years. Why take a chance buying elsewhere when you know you are guaranteed a perfectly setup banjo. Paul takes great care in packaging his instruments which gives you confidence when shipping such fragile instruments….
Sean Coyle / Sligo, Ireland
Vega 17 Fret Whyte Ladie Tenor Banjo
For anyone on the lookout for a good quality, used or vintage banjo, it seems to me that there is no better place to look than Paul Conlon’s well laid out and informative website at purebanjo.com. Like others, he regularly updates the instruments he has in stock or in preparation but clearly goes the extra mile in providing very well presented and clear photographs of each banjo, complete with great detail on their individual setup…..and very often, even more detail on the history of each banjo…..an education in itself!
Buying a good quality instrument, especially from a distance, can be a bit of an exercise in trust and from my own recent experience I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Paul for the great advice he gave me in a recent purchase and for the care and attention he obviously invests before the instrument leaves his workshop. Both banjo and case were extremely well packaged and I know clearly that he doesn’t rest until it has arrived safely to its destination…a pleasure to deal with!
So many thanks again Paul and here’s to your continued success!
K.R.
Kevin Ryan: Tralee, Co.Kerry, Ireland
Bacon & Day Super Tenor Banjo
Have had a number of dealings with Paul and “Pure Banjo” and was always well looked after. Takes a genuine interest in the customer and the particular instrument being sought. Provided me with a lovely short scale Bacon and Day Super Banjo last year – and it suited me perfectly. Only the Lockdown is holding me back! Am expecting to hold on to it for a long time. I would advise checking out “Pure Banjo” as first port of call if looking for a Banjo in particular.
Best wishes
Michael
Michael O’Meara: Dublin, Ireland
Custom Build Patsy Toman Open Back Tenor Banjo
The banjo arrived safely. Thank you for packing it so well. Amazing, perfect and exactly what I was looking for.
Many thanks.
Ian Pilbeam: Douglas, Isle of Man
Paramount Aristocrat Gold Plated Tenor Banjo
This year I bought a beautiful Paramount Aristocrat tenor banjo from the twenties from Paul Conlon. The instrument is in absolute mint condition and has a beautiful clear sound. It looks like it was just fabricated. Sending from Ireland to Holland took some time but Paul new exactly how to get it save at my home. It was perfectly packed and came in perfect condition in a big package. Also the original case was thereby in good condition. I am very glad i bought the banjo at Paul’s company and i am sure it was value for money. In the mean time i played several times with several jazzbands in Holland and we all are very glad with the pure sound of this beautiful banjo.
I can give any recommendation to buy at this integer company!
Kindly regards,
Jan Gombert: Nederlands
Bacon & Day Special N0.1
Tenor Banjo
“I have purchased a Bacon & Day Special n.1 from Purebanjo. Paul made the whole buying experience great and unique! Paul has a great collection of vintage tenor banjos of all kinds. He kindly took some time to let me try all the banjos and explain the different features. The whole buying experience was absolutely great! The setting of the banjo was impeccable and I am absolutely in love with my new banjo.
Valentina Baiamonte: Venice, Italy.
Epiphone Recording A 19 fret
Tenor Banjo
I bought an Epiphone Recording A from Pure Banjo a few years ago it was pristine condition for 1927 instrument, any vintage banjos Paul has are all in great condition. Being a great banjo player himself Paul knows exactly how to setup a banjo to get the best tone etc. out of it. I can say truthfully it’s been a pleasure dealing with Paul Conlon at Pure Banjo…Thanks Paul
John Bonner: Letterkenny Donegal.
B&D Silverbell No.1
I just wanted to say how much I’ve enjoyed owning and playing the Paramount and Silver Bell banjos I’ve bought from you. Both have been refurbished and restored to a very high standard without sacrificing any of the original vintage features. The archtop Paramount is bright and clear to play Irish and fiddle tunes, and the Silver Bell just rings beautifully all the way up the fingerboard. Fantastic service as well thanks, Andy.
Andrew Keith: Lanchester, England