We love the Deering Eagle II tenor banjo over here at Banjo Studio. The Deering Twenty Ten tone ring that this banjo is fitted with gives it a fantastic warm and rich tone with plenty of crispness to cut through and not be muddy. This custom version of this banjo is an openback (does not have a resonator back) which reduces the weight and warms it up some more. It also features a fiberskin head to give it a little more warmth and a nice vintage look. Lastly, a wooden armrest is added to give more comfort when playing and it also gives it a great look!
This banjo would be fantastic for jazz or Irish playing. It is currently set up in standard tenor tuning (CGDA) but can be setup in Irish tuning (GDAE) upon request.
Comes with a Deering harshell case that fits and protects this beautiful instrument perfectly.
Lifetime warranty. Made in the U.S.A.
Listen To This Instrument
Specifications
Beautiful, full of tone, stage-worthy
After years of (lovingly) caring for and worrying about the antique tenor banjos I have played, I have searched for a good new tenor banjo that has the reliability of a new instrument and the quality and tone of the older instruments. My search ended at Banjo Studio where I was led by the Deering web site. Here I found the Eagle II Open Back Tenor and ordered it right away. (I was familiar with the Eagle II model because I have the five-string version). Banjo Studio set it up for Irish tenor (GDAE), and it produces a great sound on jigs and reels, crisp and clear but not at all brassy or too bright. I also play jazz out of that tuning and find the banjo really satisfying for chording, even in the Irish tuning. The fiber-skin head (one of the custom elements) adds a nice warmth. Like a lot of Irish session players I use a resonator with a plastic head on one banjo to cut through the mix, but I really prefer the warmer sound (that seems to be the trend among jazz players), especially for gigs. After Banjo Studio set me up with a Kavanjo Rail-Rider Pickup (easy to install in the back of the open-back banjo and producing a strong true signal), I have in my hands what is the most stage-worthy tenor banjo I've ever played (over about 30 years of doing it). I'm thrilled with the Deering banjo, the Kavanjo pickup, and the service from Banjo Studio.