Gold Tone IT-17 Irish Tenor Banjo with Gig Bag

If you’ve been looking for an Irish tenor banjo that balances traditional session sensibility with modern build quality, the Gold Tone IT-17 is worth your serious attention. Tuned GDAE like a fiddle or mandola, this 17-fret tenor is built around a 12″ multi-ply maple rim paired with a rolled brass flat bar tone ring — a combination that gives you strong, clear projection without sacrificing the warm bass presence that makes a tenor banjo sing in a session room. The curly maple armrest and satin vintage brown finish add a touch of elegance that feels right at home in Irish trad circles while still signaling something a little distinctive. This is an instrument that rewards players who have graduated from entry-level and want something they can genuinely grow into.

The neck is maple with a rosewood fingerboard, clover inlays, and Gold Tone’s GT planetary tuners — geared tuners that stay put far better than friction pegs and are increasingly accepted in Irish playing. The ZeroGlide nut (1-1/4″ width) eliminates open-string buzzing at the nut, a small detail that makes a real difference in playability and intonation, especially in first position. With 26 brackets, a notched tension hoop, and dual coordinator rods on a 19-3/4″ scale, the IT-17 gives you a lot of structural stability and real adjustability. The No-Knot tailpiece and maple bridge with ebony cap round out a spec sheet that punches well above this price point. Whether you’re playing a slow air, a reel, or something that crosses genre lines entirely, this banjo has the voice and the bones to handle it.

Each instrument receives a professional setup at Gold Tone’s factory in Titusville, Florida before it ships to you. That means the action is dialed in, the intonation is checked, the nut slots are properly cut, and the head tension is set — so when you open the box, you’re holding a banjo that’s ready to play, not one that needs a trip to a local shop before it sounds right.

Why Buy From Banjo Warehouse

Banjo Warehouse is an authorized Gold Tone dealer, which means your IT-17 comes with full manufacturer warranty support and you’re buying a genuine instrument — not a grey-market or refurbished unit. I’ve been playing and selling banjos for more than 45 years. I co-own Watch & Learn in Atlanta, wrote Banjo Primer (still rated the #1 beginner banjo method), and I co-designed the OB-Standard with Gold Tone, so I know these instruments from the inside out. When we stock a Gold Tone model, it’s because I believe in what it does. Financing is available through PayPal Pay in 4, Afterpay, and 3, 6, 12, or 24-month plans with no late fees — so you don’t have to wait to get the instrument you actually want.

Gold Tone IT-17 Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a 17-fret and a 19-fret Irish tenor banjo?

The 17-fret tenor banjo has a shorter neck and a slightly more compact feel, which many Irish session players prefer because it sits more naturally in the lap and is easier to navigate at speed in traditional styles. The 19-fret version gives you more range up the neck, which is useful if you’re coming from a guitar or playing in styles that venture into higher registers. The IT-17’s 19-3/4″ scale falls right in the traditional Irish tenor sweet spot, making it a natural choice for GDAE tuning and fiddle-tune repertoire.

Does the rolled brass tone ring make this banjo louder or brighter than a standard flathead?

The rolled brass flat bar tone ring on the IT-17 adds warmth and bass presence rather than pushing the banjo toward a brighter, harder sound. It gives the instrument more body and sustain than a rimless or archtop setup, while still staying in a voice that cuts through in a session without overwhelming acoustic instruments around it. It’s a tone ring choice that makes a lot of sense for Irish music specifically.

Can I use this banjo for styles other than Irish traditional music?

Absolutely. GDAE tuning connects directly to violin, mandolin, and mandola players, and the IT-17’s warm, projecting voice works well for old-time, bluegrass tenor playing, folk, and what Gold Tone calls “folkternative” styles. If you already play a fiddle or mandola, picking up this banjo will feel surprisingly natural from the very first session.

Want to know when new banjos arrive? Join our email list: Sign up here.