Tenor Banjos
The tenor banjo has four strings and a shorter scale, played with a flatpick rather than fingers. Tuned in fifths, it drove the rhythm of Dixieland and trad jazz bands, and in its Irish tuning it became a lead voice in Celtic music.
The compact neck and punchy, cutting tone make the tenor a favorite for ensemble playing and for fiddle or mandolin players looking to cross over. Browse our tenor banjos below.
The Gold Tone CC-Tenor is a 19-fret tenor banjo built for players who want quality construction, great tone, and versatility — whether you're playing Dixieland jazz, Celtic tunes, or just strumming for fun. It features a removable resonator, rolled brass flat bar tone ring, and a natural high-gloss maple neck, all at a price that's genuinely accessible. Every CC-Tenor we ship has been professionally set up at Gold Tone's factory in Titusville, FL so it plays its best right out of the box.
The Gold Tone CC-Tenor/L is the left-handed version of Gold Tone's beloved Cripple Creek tenor banjo — a 19-fret, removable-resonator instrument perfectly suited to Dixieland jazz, Celtic music, or casual strumming. Built with a rolled brass flat-bar tone ring, maple rim, and rosewood fingerboard, it delivers a clear, punchy tone at a price that welcomes newcomers and satisfies seasoned players alike. Every CC-Tenor/L is professionally set up at Gold Tone's factory in Titusville, FL.
The Gold Tone IT-17 is a 17-fret Irish tenor banjo built for session players who want warm, full-bodied tone with real projection. Its 12" multi-ply maple rim and rolled brass flat bar tone ring deliver a sound that sits beautifully in traditional Irish music and beyond. Every IT-17 is professionally set up at Gold Tone's factory in Titusville, FL before it leaves their door.
The Gold Tone IT-17/L is the left-handed version of Gold Tone's well-regarded Irish tenor banjo, built for session players who want strong projection, warm tone, and a modern folkternative aesthetic. Its 12" multi-ply maple rim and rolled brass flat bar tone ring produce a full, bass-rich voice that sits beautifully in traditional Irish and Celtic music. Every IT-17/L is professionally set up at Gold Tone's factory in Titusville, FL, so it arrives ready to play.
The Gold Tone IT-19 Irish Tenor Banjo is built for session players who want a warm, full-bodied sound with strong projection — all at an accessible price. Featuring a 12" multi-ply maple rim, rolled brass tone ring, and a 19-3/4" scale tuned GDAE, it's ready to hold its own in any Irish session. Every IT-19 is professionally set up at Gold Tone's factory in Titusville, FL and ships with a gig bag included.
This is the left-handed version of the Gold Tone IT-19 Irish Tenor Banjo — a 19-fret, 12" open-back designed for session players who want warm projection with added bass presence. The 12" multi-ply maple rim and rolled brass flat bar tone ring give it a full, responsive voice that sits beautifully in a traditional Irish session. Every instrument ships professionally set up at Gold Tone's factory in Titusville, FL and includes a gig bag.
The Gold Tone IT-250 is a purpose-built 17-fret Irish tenor banjo tuned GDAE, designed to deliver the plunky, cutting tone that sits perfectly in a traditional Celtic session alongside fiddles, pipes, and bodhrán. With a Whyte Laydie tone ring, ZeroGlide nut, ebony fingerboard, and a solid maple rim, this is a serious instrument for serious players. A hard case is included, and every IT-250 ships with a professional factory setup from Gold Tone in Titusville, Florida.
This is the left-handed version of the Gold Tone IT-250, a 17-fret Irish tenor banjo tuned GDAE and built specifically for the plunky, cutting tone that Celtic session players demand. The Whyte Laydie tone ring, ebony fingerboard, and ZeroGlide nut make it a genuinely professional instrument at an accessible price. A hard case is included, and every IT-250F/L ships professionally set up at Gold Tone's factory in Titusville, FL.
The Gold Tone TS-250 Tenor Special is a stunning tribute to the great pre-WWII Midwestern tenor banjos, built with a bell brass flathead tone ring, hearts and flowers inlay, and a 14-inch resonator for full, authoritative sound. Tuned CGDA, it plays effortlessly whether you're comping jazz chords, Celtic tunes, or traditional songs. Every TS-250 ships with a professional factory setup from Gold Tone in Titusville, Florida and includes a hardshell case.
This is the left-handed version of the Gold Tone TS-250 Tenor Special — a beautifully crafted 19-fret tenor banjo inspired by the most beloved pre-WWII Midwestern designs, complete with a bell brass flathead tone ring and stunning hearts-and-flowers inlay. Tuned CGDA and built for players who want vintage character with modern playability, the TS-250/L ships with a hard case and is professionally set up at Gold Tone's factory in Titusville, FL. It's a serious instrument for left-handed tenor players who refuse to settle.
