12 Days of Christmas at Banjo Warehouse
Each day from Christmas Day through January 5th, we featured a different banjo from our shop.
Watch Geoff’s video demos, learn about each instrument, and find your next banjo. From
vintage Japanese gems to
American-made classics,
there’s something special waiting for you.
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Still Available from the 12 Days
These featured banjos are still looking for their forever homes. Free shipping on all orders!
December 25, 2025
2007 Gibson Granada Flying Eagle
The Crown Jewel of Modern Gibsons
What better way to kick off our 12 Days of Christmas than with one of the most stunning
Gibson banjos ever made?
This 2007 Granada Flying Eagle was a one-owner showpiece in excellent condition with all original paperwork.
Only about 10% of Gibson Granadas
ever made feature the Flying Eagle inlay, making this instrument incredibly special. The flathead 20-hole tone ring
delivers that punchy, powerful Granada tone that has defined bluegrass banjo for decades. Gold-plated hardware throughout,
flamed maple resonator with tobacco sunburst finish, and an ebony fingerboard with elaborate pearl inlays.
Highlights
- One owner with original Gibson paperwork
- Flying Eagle peghead inlay (rare ~10% of Granadas)
- Flathead 20-hole tone ring
- Gold-plated hardware
- Flamed maple resonator, tobacco sunburst
- Excellent condition
Sold – Christmas Day!
December 26, 2025
2005 Gibson RB-18 Top Tension
One of the Rarest Gibson Banjos Ever Made
The RB-18 was the highest top-tension model Gibson
ever made, originally sold for just three years (1938-1940). With their from-the-front head adjustment, radiused fingerboard,
Art Deco inlays, and carved-back resonator, the original top-tension models were designed to make earlier Mastertones obsolete.
This 2005 reissue captures everything that made the originals legendary. The 20-hole Kulesh Gibson USA tone ring delivers
exceptional tone, while the Art Deco bowtie inlays and geometric engraving on the hardware are faithful to the prewar design.
Yes, you can tighten or loosen the head without removing the resonator!
Highlights
- 20-hole Kulesh Gibson USA tone ring
- Art Deco bowtie pearl inlays
- Radiused rosewood fingerboard
- Dished flamed maple resonator
- Gold-plated hardware with Art Deco engraving
- Excellent condition with original case
December 27, 2025
2025 Shelby Blackhawk
American Made in Wedowee, Alabama
We’re proud to announce that Banjo Warehouse is now an authorized Shelby dealer! The Shelby Blackhawk is a professional-grade
banjo handcrafted in Wedowee, Alabama, by the Shelby American Banjo Company.
The peghead is a work of art, featuring an elaborate pearl flying eagle inlay with the Shelby script logo and ornate scrollwork.
The 20-hole Shelby tone ring delivers a powerful, cutting tone perfect for bluegrass. Mahogany neck and resonator with cream binding,
flat rosewood fingerboard with unique pearl inlays, and Rickard tuners.
Highlights
- Brand new, American made
- 20-hole Shelby tone ring
- Pearl flying eagle peghead inlay
- Mahogany neck and resonator
- Flat rosewood fingerboard
- Rickard tuners, includes fiberglass case
December 28, 2025
Aria Pro II
The Best Banjo Deal for $1,500
Geoff finally cracked under interrogation and revealed the secret: the best banjo you can get for $1,500 is the Aria Pro II.
This banjo was made in Japan during the golden era of the late 1970s and early 1980s, when Japanese manufacturers were copying
American instruments. In many cases, these instruments were actually better than the American originals. The Aria Pro II represents
exceptional value—professional tone and playability at a fraction of the cost of American-made banjos.
Highlights
- Made in Japan, golden era (late 70s/early 80s)
- Professional-grade construction
- Excellent condition
- Best value under $1,500
December 29, 2025
2005 Stelling Sunflower
Handcrafted Virginia Excellence
Day 5 took us to the Clifton Christmas light show! Stelling banjos are handcrafted in Virginia and known for their exceptional tone and build quality. The Sunflower model features Stelling’s signature craftsmanship with beautiful appointments and that unmistakable Stelling sound.
This 2005 example was in excellent condition with a gorgeous shaded maple finish. Stelling has been building professional-grade banjos since 1974, and the Sunflower represents their commitment to quality American craftsmanship.
Highlights
- Handcrafted in Virginia
- Shaded maple finish
- Stelling tone ring
- Excellent condition
- Professional-grade construction
Sold
December 30, 2025
1960s Fender Artist
Holiday Jamboree at Banjo Warehouse
Day 6 brought the party to Banjo Warehouse in Yellow Springs, Ohio! Geoff joined our animatronic bear band for a holiday jamboree, playing “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” on this stunning 1960s Fender Artist.
This Fender Artist appears to have never been played—the frets are perfect and the finish is pristine. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, pro pickers like Vic Jordan, Eddie Adcock, and Bill Emerson chose the Fender Artist for its powerful, cutting tone. Fender acquired the Salstrom Banjo Company in the mid-1960s, inheriting a design that rivaled any banjo on the market. The walnut construction has mellowed over 50+ years, giving this banjo incredible power and projection.
Highlights
- Appears unplayed, pristine condition
- Walnut neck and resonator
- No-hole flathead tone ring
- One-piece chrome flange
- Made in California
- 50+ years of aged walnut tone
December 31, 2025
2003 Deering Calico
Train 45 at the Christmas Trains
Day 7 took us to the historic Clifton Mill in Clifton, Ohio to watch the Christmas trains! What better tune to play than “Train 45” on this beautiful 2003 Deering Calico?
Deering is America’s largest banjo manufacturer, handcrafting instruments in Spring Valley, California since 1975. The Calico model features Deering’s renowned build quality with a distinctive aesthetic. This 2003 example is ready for its next home.
Highlights
- Handcrafted in California
- Deering quality construction
- Distinctive Calico aesthetic
- Excellent condition
- American made
January 1, 2026
Gold Tone OB-2 Bowtie Mastertone
1960s Mastertone Bowtie Recreation
The Gold Tone OB-2 Bowtie faithfully recreates legendary 1960s Mastertone bowtie banjos with rare 19-hole brass tone ring, mahogany neck, and golden sunburst finish. Professional bluegrass tone with modern reliability.
This is one of our favorite banjos in the Gold Tone lineup. The bowtie inlay pattern became iconic through players like J.D. Crowe and Sonny Osborne, and the OB-2 captures that vintage aesthetic with modern build quality. Every instrument is set up by our luthier, Tara Buchy, before it ships.
Highlights
- 19-hole brass tone ring
- Bowtie inlay pattern
- Golden sunburst finish
- Mahogany neck
- Premium hard case included
- Gold Tone lifetime transferable warranty
January 2, 2026
Gold Tone CC-100R
Desert Banjo Demo — Best Beginner Resonator Banjo
Day 9 took us to the desert between San Diego and Phoenix, near the Mexican border! Geoff brought the Gold Tone CC-100R out to the desert to show you what this beginner-friendly banjo can do in the wild.
The CC-100R is my go-to recommendation for students ready to get serious about bluegrass banjo. This resonator banjo delivers authentic tone that rivals instruments costing twice as much. The maple neck and rim, rolled brass tone ring, and convertible resonator/openback design make it incredibly versatile. If you’re moving beyond a starter banjo or want your first “real” instrument, this is the one.
Highlights
- Maple neck and rim
- Rolled brass tone ring
- Convertible resonator/openback design
- Two-way adjustable truss rod
- Gig bag included
- Gold Tone lifetime transferable warranty
January 3, 2026
Vintage Fender Leo
Made in Japan’s Golden Era — Live from the Del McCoury Pickin’ Party
Day 10 came to you live from the Del McCoury Pickin’ Party in Phoenix, Arizona! Geoff demoed this vintage Fender Leo banjo, made in Japan during the golden era of Japanese instrument making.
During the late 1970s and early 1980s, Japanese manufacturers were copying American instruments—and in many cases, they were actually making them better than America was at the time. This Fender Leo is a prime example of that golden era craftsmanship, offering professional tone and build quality at a fraction of what American-made banjos cost.
Highlights
- Made in Japan, golden era
- Fender brand quality
- Professional-grade construction
- Excellent condition
- Exceptional value
January 4, 2026
Late 1930s Recording King with Huber HR-30
Prewar Gibson-Made Banjo — Live from Phoenix, Arizona
Day 11 came to you from Phoenix, Arizona! This is a genuine late 1930s Recording King banjo made by Gibson at their Kalamazoo, Michigan factory for Montgomery Ward’s mail-order catalog. This is NOT a modern Recording King—this is a real prewar instrument from the golden era of American banjo manufacturing.
This Model #731 started life as a tenor and was professionally converted to 5-string by a serious collector who owned over 200 banjos. The conversion includes what we believe is a Frank Neat neck ($1,700+ value), and we’ve upgraded the tone ring to a Huber HR-30 flathead—one of the most respected tone rings made today. The combination of aged 1930s wood with Steve Huber’s renowned HR-30 creates a voice that modern banjos simply cannot replicate.
Highlights
- Genuine 1930s Gibson-made Recording King
- Huber HR-30 flathead tone ring ($850+ value)
- Original sunburst maple resonator
- Original one-piece flange and maple rim
- Original prewar Presto tailpiece ($250 value)
- Professional 5-string conversion with adjustable truss rod
January 5, 2026
2005 Gibson RB-3 Wreath Inlay
Excellent condition
We saved one of the best for last. This 2005 Gibson RB-3 with the somewhat rare wreath inlay pattern.
A professional-level instrument with incredible tone ready for its next chapter.
Highlights
- Rare wreath inlay pattern
- Gibson USA flathead tone ring
- 3-ply maple rim, mahogany neck
- Virtually no fret wear
- Original Gibson hardshell case included
Why Buy from The Banjo Warehouse?
Located in Yellow Springs, Ohio, The Banjo Warehouse specializes in professional and vintage banjos.
Every instrument we sell has been personally inspected and set up by our luthier, Tara Buchy.
Owner Geoff Hohwald, author of The Banjo Primer and veteran of over 50 years in bluegrass
and old-time music, provides expert guidance on every purchase.
We don’t just sell banjos – we’re players ourselves. Geoff provides honest, expert guidance to help you
find the right instrument for your playing style and budget.
✓ Expert Setup
✓ Real Player Advice
✓ 7-Day Approval
✓ We Won’t Be Undersold