Up for auction is a tenor banjo.Standard scale, 22 3/4 ".  To start off with, I will explain about the banjo's parts and where they came from.  This is an arch top tone ring from the USA.  About 28 years ago I visited my brother who lives in America.  He took me to a shop in New York who were selling lots of fire damaged Gibson banjos and parts.  The shop was set on fire by an arsonist, for whatever reason.  I bought a 1927 arch top, no hole, Gibson tone ring and other parts.  This is what is fitted to this banjo.  The rim is beech blocked and ebony capping piece fitted.  The neck, I purchased from Mr Clem Vickery, brand new.  As you can see, it is outstanding.  It has a two way truss rod and a bone nut.  The hardware all came from Andy Banjo and is excellent.  The tension hoop came from Ireland, the tuners are brand new and came from Germany.  I have just fitted Clifford Essex Irish Tenor Banjo strings.  The head is Remo Renaissance.  The banjo is fitted with a vintage armrest.  The banjo comes with a brand new banjo case.Since buying the Gibson tone ring, I have purchased quite a lot of quality arch tops from America, and so this was the idea of starting to assemble, and sell, professional open back tenor banjos.  So, this banjo was assembled in Ireland by a friend of mine, but only as a prototype.  There are one or two things where improvements could be made, some cosmetic and some construction.How does it play?  The volume is loud, a professional sound, and gives a very distinctive Irish tone.  The bridge was made for us by Black Snake Banjos in America.  The banjo is not light, but is not over heavy.  The black tension hoop is stove enamelled but carries a few marks.Remember, this is a prototype example of the standard of banjos we are about to make and produce for the market next year.The price of this banjo and the case as a prototype is £900.  Next year they will be £1700.