❌SOLD❌ Deering Tenbrooks Saratoga Star 5-String Banjo, 2004

The Deering Tenbrooks Saratoga Star 5-string banjo is really an impressive machine. Visually it is understated, but what’s hidden inside offers amazing tone, responsiveness and versatility.

Built using the Jens Kruger tone ring, cast in a bell foundry, the Deering Tenbrooks Saratoga Star features dark-stained curly maple and a gloss finish for the resonator and neck. The fingerboard is bound ebony.

It’s worth checking out the videos of Jens Kruger describing and demonstrating this instrument. He knows exactly how to get a myriad of responses from it.

Visually, many high end banjos are far more decorated. Here, the inlays use a very attractive Art Nouveau theme but are not overwhelming. What makes this banjo so special is under the hood and requires no decoration.

This example dates to 2005 and was built at the Deering shop in Spring Valley, California. It is in overall very good condition with a bit of tarnish on the metal parts and slight finish scuffing – this banjo has been played.

The original hard shell case is included. These banjos currently list at just under $9,000 US.

Here is what Deering has to say about the Tenbrooks Saratoga Star:

“Crisp Maple with a brilliant full bodied tone, deep bass, brilliant highs, The Saratoga Star is one of the most elegantly beautiful modern banjos to enter the musical arena of classic instruments.

Greg Deering personally designed the inlays with an Art Nouveau style in mind. Reminiscent of the Victorian Era, this high grade maple banjo stands out as a top of the line professional instrument, at home on the concert stages throughout the world.

It is played by world renowned banjoists like Bela Fleck, 2007 IBMA Banjo Player of the Year – Tony Trischka, Joe Bonsal of the Oak Ridge Boys, and Ned Luberecki.

From Bluegrass to Country, Rock to Classical, this is one of the ultimate banjos made today. Crafted with the precision of every Tenbrooks banjo out of highly figured violin grade maple for the ultimate tonal power and sparkle.

It is so alive with sound that you can feel the vibrations through the back of the banjo as you play. The sound carries clearly greater distances than other banjos.

This banjo is for the dedicated musician who appreciates versatility in communicating with the audience through music. “