Epiphone Recording A Tenor Banjo
Early 1920’s Epiphone Recording A tenor banjo, second generation heavy tone ring with the scalloped base and perforated holes in the side. This model is one of the rare 20 fret versions, 3 piece figured maple neck with centre ebony strip. The head stock is thicker than the later models and a deeper carved volute, walnut head plate with fancy mother of pearl floral inlay. The original waverly tuners are all working well and the rear of the head stock is etched with ‘House of Stratopaulo’ which was the original Epiphone company name. The fingerboard is made from ebony with double diamond position markers, checkered wood marquetry side walls and cream plastic binding. Most importantly the neck is straight with good frets and action is set low. The heavy duty 3/4″ maple rim has the bottom mounted one piece pentagonal flange on the bottom and heavy duty bell bronze scalloped base & bell bronze archtop tone ring seated on top. The newly fitted Remo renaissance head is seated on a perforated spun over hoop/skirt. These tone rings were the best in the Epiphone range and dished out to top professionals to get their endorsements for the Recording range. The resonator is made from birdseye maple with matching checkered wood marquetry side walls. Other original features is the presto tail piece and Epiphone armrest. Comes with original croc skin style brown leatherette vintage case in good serviceable condition with blue velvet lining. This banjo just sounds as good as all of the other Epi’s I have owned and although has 20 frets feels and plays the same as a 19 fret. I’ve added some pics of a 19 fret epi style A to compare and added some technical info below regarding neck measurements. These models are very popular on the Irish Trad scene due to their amazing tone and volume. I’ll add a video shortly for you to hear for yourself. *In Pics 21, 19, I have made a comparison to a Epiphone 19 fret tenor banjo and the 20 fret version. As you can see the frets all line up from 1st to 19th fret, so reaching the 7th high B note is exactly the same for both models. Technical details:
- Scale length 23 – 1/4″ (590 mm) from nut to bridge
- Top nut width 27 mm
- Neck width at 12th fret including binding 37 mm
- Hand cup around size at first fret 62 mm
- Measurement from first fret to 7th fret 162 mm