Bluegrass Banjos
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Add to Compare2010 Deering 35th Anniversary, Maple
Of course Deering would pull out all the stops for this its 35th Anniversary Model! #2 of an extremely exclusive two, this 2010 Deering 35th is bedecked in rhinestone and extensive MOP/Abalone inlays, features their Eagle Flange, and boasts a powerfully figured Maple resonator and neck.
Other keywords: billy presnell, bluegrass, 1000211002
$4,680 Add to cartScale Length 26.25 in Nut Width 1.25 in String Spacing 1.688 in Woods Frosted Banjo Head, Maple - Flamed 
Add to Compare1975 Henderson Banjo #5
We’re already very familiar with Wayne Henderson’s flattops—and we love them dearly. We’ve been fortunate enough to have seen a great number pass through our hands, but until today we’ve never seen what Wayne can do with a Bluegrass Banjo. This Mastertone-inspired wonder was built all the way back in 1975 with gold etched hardware, Maple resonator, and tight flamed Maple neck. This is #5 of only 19 banjos that Wayne has built to date, each unique, and this is one of only two with “Henderson” inlaid at the headstock. Long scale setup at 27” and 1 3/16” nut; a hefty 10lbs 13oz; broken in and opened up tone.
We put this one through its paces with our own Al Petteway here: https://youtu.be/fwCtqRJPdCI
Alan Shadd: https://youtu.be/S3eNYhx9dik
Other keywords: w.c. henderson, fingerpicking, mop, tone ring, planetary
$17,680 Add to cartScale Length 27 in Nut Width 1.19 in String Spacing 1.75 in Woods Skin - Fiber, Maple 
Add to Compare2009-2011 Bishline CF-5, Walnut
Traditional feel pairs with a modern voice–this Bishline CF-5 is a work of art. Rob Bishline tells us these are exceptionally difficult to build, and it’s such a joy to have #002 in the shop. Walnut resonator plsu neck, Abalone trim, and then there’s the extensive carbon fiber work at the tailpiece, flange, and hoop. Add to that a tunneled 5th string and the fifth tuner at the center of the headstock. The resonator is X braced! You very much feel it while playing. Built between 2009 and 2011, this Bishline is in premium shape.
Other keywords: billy presnell, bluegrass,
SOLD Read moreScale Length 25.625 in Nut Width 1.313 in String Spacing 1.688 in Woods Frosted Banjo Head, Walnut 
Add to Compare2012 Deering, Tenbrooks Saratoga Star, Maple
The Deering Tenbrooks Saratoga Star excels on all fronts. This is a 2012 example in very clean shape, featuring a frosted head and Maple resonator plus neck, upgraded with a Kruger tone ring, and dressed up with perfectly executed Abalone positon markers comprised of modern flower-and-vines.
Other keywords: billy presnell, bluegrass, 07170070161
SOLD Sale! Read moreScale Length 26.25 in Nut Width 1.281 in String Spacing 1.688 in Woods Frosted Banjo Head, Maple - Flamed 
Add to Compare2011 Deering Greg Deering Limited, Burl Walnut
The Deering GDL Gred Deering Limited maximizes playability and tone for the price point–this 2011 model is a powerhouse in Burl Walnut. Curvaceous MOP position markers, tapered resonator, nickel hardware.
Other keywords: billy presnell, bluegrass, 0231609m813
SOLD Read moreScale Length 26.25 in Nut Width 1.25 in String Spacing 1.688 in Woods Frosted Banjo Head, Walnut - Burl 
Add to Compare2013 Deering Gabriella, Curly Maple
At the tip top of the top shelf you’ll find the rare Gabriella model from Deering. This work of art comes to us from 2013 with tight Curly Maple neck and resonator, as much Pearl and Abalone as can be fit on a banjo fingerboard and headstock, plus 24K gold plated hardware, engraved throughout, and carved heel.
Here’s an additional demo with Allen Shadd playing this beautiful Deering Gabriella: https://youtu.be/81likAtTShQ
Other keywords: billy presnell, bluegrass, 07001613r594
SOLD Read moreScale Length 26.25 in Nut Width 1.25 in String Spacing 2.719 in Woods Frosted Banjo Head, Maple - Figured 
Add to Compare1995 Deering Gabriella 5-String Banjo, Brazilian Rosewood
It’s fitting that a shop like ours, which deals with Somogyis and McConnells, and Traugotts all day, would come across a banjo worthy enough to pass muster among the guitar world’s greatest builders. Enter: our 1995 Deering Gabriella, owned by banjo maestro and “banjoholic” Mary Z Cox. This model is the pinnacle (read: to date, only 15 ever made) of Deering’s catalog, and this example from 1995 goes one step further than even its rarified siblings in that it features a Brazilian Rosewood resonator and neck. Gold hardware abounds, right down to the tuners and tailpiece, and both the resonator and neck are trimmed out in both Abalone and Ivoroid. The fingerboard is wrapped in Mother-of-Pearl, with vine-and-leaf inlays across frets 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 15, 17, 19, and 21. The headstock is also inlaid with MOP, a tangle of vines surrounding the Deering logo and the (you guessed it: MOP) truss rod cover. The back of the resonator features a wreath of raised MOP-and-Maple vines, and just above that you’ll find an intricately carved heel with yet more twisting leaves and vines.
The sheer number of hours that went into this Deering Gabriella baffles the mind. It feels like holding a craftperson’s entire career in your hands when you play it. A banjo for the record books.Check out this demo with our own Billy Presnell: https://youtu.be/VFhcOVRpAiE
If you’d like to hear Mary’s recording of “Ponce de Leon” on her Florida Banjo record with the Gabriella, check it out here: https://www.maryzcox.com/florida_banjo/
Here’s a demo with Mary in our recording studio and this Gabriella: https://youtu.be/EXvtuJa-M0I
Want a taste of local banjo phenom Derek Vaden at the helm of this Gabriella? Check it out: https://youtu.be/-F2Q1zx583A
Here’s an additional demo with our very own Allen Shadd at the wheel! https://youtu.be/N1KplaB25ao
Other keywords: Mary Z Cox, bluegrass, banjo inlay, Deering banjo, Gabriella banjo, craft, craftsmanship
SOLD Read moreScale Length 26.125 in Nut Width 1.281 in String Spacing 1.6875 in Woods Skin - Fiber, Rosewood - Brazilian 
Add to Compare2002 Gibson RB4, Walnut
Style 4 from Gibson! Here’s an RB4 from 2002 that’s well preserved and ready for action. Walnut neck and resonator with nickel hardware, MOP position markers, 26 3/8” scale, and original hardshell Gibson case. Comes with railroad spikes and original tuners, weighing in around 12.5lbs, and trimmed out in tasteful ambered Ivoroid at the resonator and neck.
Other keywords: bluegrass, al petteway, fingerpicking, r-b4, rb-4, rb 4, 4-0202-5
SOLD Read moreScale Length 26.375 in Nut Width 1.25 in String Spacing 1.69 in Woods Skin - Fiber, Walnut 
Add to Compare1962 Gibson RB-250 Mastertone Mahogany/Fiber Head
This Gibson is formal enough you could wear it around your neck for a banquet–or at least the bowtie inlays across the fretboard. It’s the real deal, all-original and playing like a professional: a 1962 Gibson RB-250 Mastertone. Other than the addition of a few railroad spikes, this Banjo remains untouched, and only bears light evidence of play wear on its head and frets. In case you were wondering, yes–this Gibson is fearsomely loud! But the setup feels so lovely it’s easy to miss the fact that you’re playing with the volume at 11.
We really can’t say enough good things about this Mastertone, except to marvel at its condition and soak up all the vigorous, juicy tone of this RB-250.
Add to Compare2012 Huber Sammy Shellor Signature, Mahogany
The Sammy Shellor Signature from Huber Banjos is powerful, quick, and expressive. Mahogany resonator and neck in the prewar style, plus a HR30 tone ring; fleur-de-lis position markers; under 12 pounds soaking wet. This example comes from 2012 and features nickel hardware and a frosted head.
Other keywords: billy presnell, bluegrass, 1211-64
SOLD Read moreScale Length 26.25 in Nut Width 1.219 in String Spacing 1.688 in Woods Frosted Banjo Head, Mahogany 
Add to Compare2012 Nechville Phantom “Athena,” Walnut
Here’s an intriguing piece. This 2012 Nechville combines Phantom elements with Athena designations, and the result is gorgeous and modern. Tunneled 5th string plus Burl Walnut peghead and resonator. Blue torquise position markers, upgraded gold hardware, an exceedingly trim eight pound playing weight.
Other keywords: billy presnell, bluegrass, 1652, newgrass
SOLD Read moreScale Length 26.375 in Nut Width 1.313 in String Spacing 1.75 in Woods Renaissance Banjo Head, Walnut 
Add to Compare2011 Nechville Phantom XXV, Maple
Settle in for a wild modern ride with this 2011 Nechville Phanntom XXV. Ready for everything from traditional Bluegrass to new, also classical and jazz–and it plays like butter. Tunneled 5th string, Curly Maple resonator, Renaissance head, plus bronze flange and Cocobolo fingerboard for a dressed up, contemporary look.
Other keywords: billy presnell, bluegrass, 1404,
SOLD Read moreScale Length 26.375 in Nut Width 1.25 in String Spacing 1.781 in Woods Maple, Maple - Flamed 
Add to Compare2010 Ome Millennium Zen 5-String Open Back
Decked out from tuners to tail with gorgeous MOP inlays, this 2010 Ome Millennium Zen is a stunning open back banjo. The planets, moons, and stars are etched in exquisite detail, with 4:1 Planetary tuners to boot and the hardware is here upgraded in engraved Nickel. This Ome was further customized with a radiused fretboard for player comfort. It weighs in at a relatively trim 9lbs 4oz, and the setup is dialed in for sweet and easy playability.
Other keywords: old time, old-time, open-back, 5-string, 5 string, clawhammer, al petteway, appalachian, tkl
SOLD Read moreScale Length 26.25 in Nut Width 1.188 in String Spacing 1.625 in Woods Skin - Fiber, Maple 
Add to Compare2008 Stelling Virginian, Maple
2008 Stelling Virginian comes upgraded with a Tony Pass Old Wood rim, Maple resonator and flame neck, a slim neck profile, and extensive bird-and-flower inlays rendered in MOP and Abalone.
Other keywords: billy presnell, bluegrass, claw, 6544
SOLD Read moreScale Length 26.125 in Nut Width 1.281 in String Spacing 1.75 in Woods Coated Banjo Head, Maple - Figured 
Add to Compare2004 Stelling Crusader, Mahogany
Stelling’s first Mahogany model, the Crusader, has been going strong since the 70s! This beauty comes to us from 2004 with a Tony Pass Lost Timbre rim with Stelling Wedge Fit flathead tone ring, nickel hardware, and Mahogany resonator. Long scale at around 26 1/2” for added power (see: sizzling trebles), and playing smooth as butter with an easy setup, and railroad spikes already installed.
Other keywords: bluegrass, al petteway, fingerpicking, mahagony, 5803
SOLD Read moreScale Length 26.5 in Nut Width 1.25 in String Spacing 1.69 in Woods Skin - Fiber, Mahogany