Barnes & Mullins Empress banjos are beautiful instruments named in memory of the 'RMS Empress of Ireland' steam ship which sank on Canada's St Lawrence River in May 1914 with the loss of over 1000 lives. Mr Albert Mullins, who was on the return leg of a 2 year worldwide sales voyage, was one of the lost souls that day.

Featuring a wonderfully figured burl walnut resonator with its spellbinding marbled grain pattern, combined with a walnut rim and neck, the Empress banjo is a real head turner!

Tonally, you can expect superb depth to the overall sound, paired with a bright and articulate response that rewards exploration and encourages performance of a wide range of playing styles.

Complete with chrome hardware and fittings, ovangkol fingerboard with patterned fret inlays, and traditional planetary machineheads.

Why should I buy a 5-string banjo?

This B&M Empress 5-string resonator banjo is the standard for bluegrass playing but is also an excellent choice for other musical styles including country, gospel, jazz, folk, classical and rock. It's the go-to style of banjo for 'Scruggs' players who use three-fingers with fingerpicks on the index and middle fingers and a thumbpick for a fast-tempo and lively style.

Its resonator design means this banjo sounds naturally loud and bright and therefore makes for an excellent accompaniment instrument.

Common 5-string banjo tunings

G, D, G, B, D - Open G
G, C, G, B, D - C Tuning / Drop C

BODY & CONSTRUCTION

STYLE: 5-String Resonator
RESONATOR: Figured Burl Walnut
HEAD: Remo Weatherking®
FLANGE: Chrome
TONE RING: Rolled Brass
BRACKET QTY: 24
RIM: Walnut
BRIDGE: Maple with Ovangkol Tip
HARDWARE: Chrome
TAILPIECE: Chrome
ARMREST: Chrome

NECK

NECK: Walnut
FINGERBOARD: Ovangkol 
FRETS: 22
INLAYS: Mother of Pearl Patterned

HEADSTOCK

MACHINEHEADS: Planetary
TRUSSROD COVER: 'Empress' Script
NUT WIDTH: 31mm

DIMENSIONS

SCALE LENGTH: 670mm
WEIGHT: 5kg

The ''Perfect'' series of banjos were first created by Messrs Barnes & Mullins at the start of the 1900s and formed the very core of the early B&M instrument offering.

Featuring a mahogany resonator and aluminium rim with a Remo WeatherKing head and mahogany neck, Barnes & Mullins Perfect banjos deliver a warm and controlled sound with a gentle and mature response.

Complete with chrome hardware and fittings, ovangkol fingerboard, and modern closed gear machineheads.

Well into the 21st century, original B&M 'Perfect' banjos still change hands for considerable sums of money amongst both antique dealers and musicians alike. The modern-day 'Perfect' banjos draw on the influence of the original instruments, paying homage to the vision and designs of our founders.

Why should I buy a 5-string banjo?

This B&M 'Perfect' 5-string resonator banjo is the standard for bluegrass playing but is also an excellent choice for other musical styles including country, gospel, jazz, folk, classical and rock. It's the go-to style of banjo for 'Scruggs' players who use three-fingers with fingerpicks on the index and middle fingers and a thumbpick for a fast-tempo and lively style.

Its resonator design means this banjo sounds naturally loud and bright and therefore makes for an excellent accompaniment instrument.

Common 5-String banjo tunings

G, D, G, B, D - Open G
G, C, G, B, D - C Tuning / Drop C

BODY & CONSTRUCTION

STYLE: 5-String Resonator
RESONATOR: Mahogany 
HEAD: Remo Weatherking®
FLANGE Chrome
BRACKET QTY: 30
RIM: Aluminium
BRIDGE: Maple with Ovangkol Tip
HARDWARE: Chrome
TAILPIECE: Chrome
ARMREST: Chrome

NECK

NECK: Mahogany 
FINGERBOARD: Ovangkol 
FRETS: 22
INLAYS: Mother of Pearl Dots

HEADSTOCK

MACHINEHEADS: Closed Gear
TRUSSROD COVER: 'Perfect' Script
NUT WIDTH: 30mm

DIMENSIONS

SCALE LENGTH: 697mm
WEIGHT: 3kg

Barnes & Mullins Empress banjos are beautiful instruments named in memory of the 'RMS Empress of Ireland' steam ship which sank on Canada's St Lawrence River in May 1914 with the loss of over 1000 lives. Mr Albert Mullins, who was on the return leg of a 2 year worldwide sales voyage, was one of the lost souls that day.

Featuring a wonderfully figured burl walnut resonator with its spellbinding marbled grain pattern, combined with a walnut rim and neck, the Empress banjo is a real head turner!

Tonally, you can expect superb depth to the overall sound, paired with a bright and articulate response that rewards exploration and encourages performance of a wide range of playing styles.

Complete with chrome hardware and fittings, ovangkol fingerboard with patterned fret inlays, and traditional planetary machineheads.

Why should I buy a 4-string banjo?

This B&M Empress 4-string banjo is also sometimes referred to as a ‘plectrum’ or ‘tenor’ banjo and is generally used for lively styles such as Traditional Jazz (Dixieland). It is usually played with a pick (or ‘plectrum’) in either an accompaniment strumming fashion or by picking individual melody notes – much like a guitar.

It makes for an excellent introductory instrument if you’re new to the world of banjos given its use of fewer strings than 5-string banjos, its shorter scale length, and its versatile playing styles.

Common 4-string banjo tunings

C, G, D, A – Standard Tenor Tuning
D, G, B, E – Chicago Tuning

BODY & CONSTRUCTION

STYLE: 4-String Resonator
RESONATOR: Figured Burl Walnut
HEAD: Remo Weatherking®
FLANGE: Chrome
TONE RING: Rolled Brass
BRACKET QTY: 24
RIM: Walnut
BRIDGE: Maple with Ovengkol Tip
HARDWARE: Chrome
TAILPIECE: Chrome
ARMREST: Chrome

NECK

NECK: Walnut
FINGERBOARD: Ovengkol 
FRETS: 19
INLAYS: Mother of Pearl Patterned

HEADSTOCK

MACHINEHEADS: Planetary
TRUSSROD COVER: 'Empress' Script
NUT WIDTH: 31mm

DIMENSIONS

SCALE LENGTH: 576mm
WEIGHT: 5kg

The Barnes & Mullins 'Troubadour' is a superb 5-string banjo named after the monthly music publication 'The Troubadour' issued and created by Mr Bowley Barnes and Albert Mullins beginning in their music-hall heyday of 1895.

Along with Barnes & Mullins' banjo-specific title 'The Jo', the Troubadour represented the cutting edge of contemporary music news, comment and transcription.

Featuring a beautifully figured burl maple resonator paired with a maple rim, hard maple neck and appointed with stylish antique gold engraved fittings, the Troubadour is a wonderfully enchanting banjo that impeccably embodies the legacy and heritage of Barnes & Mullins instruments.

You can expect a fast, articulate response and magnificently bright, natural and balanced tone. The hard maple neck stops the string energy from being overly absorbed, allowing the strings to vibrate with freedom at the bridge, thus enhancing the Troubadour’s excellent voice and adding even more volume and character.

The Troubadour is complete with a Remo Weatherking head, ovangkol fingerboard with patterned fret inlays, and traditional planetary machineheads.

Why should I buy a 5-string banjo?

This 5-string resonator banjo is the standard for bluegrass playing but is also an excellent choice for other musical styles including country, gospel, jazz, folk, classical and rock. It's the go-to style of banjo for 'Scruggs' players who use three-fingers with fingerpicks on the index and middle fingers and a thumbpick for a fast-tempo and lively style.

Its resonator design means this banjo sounds naturally loud and bright and therefore makes for an excellent accompaniment instrument.

Common 5-string banjo tunings

G, D, G, B, D - Open G
G, C, G, B, D - C Tuning / Drop C

BODY & CONSTRUCTION

STYLE: 5-String Resonator
RESONATOR: Figured Burl Maple
HEAD: Remo Weatherking®
FLANGE: Antique Gold
TONE RING: Rolled Brass
BRACKET QTY: 24
RIM: Maple
BRIDGE: Maple with Ovangkol Tip
HARDWARE: Antique Gold
TAILPIECE: Antique Gold
ARMREST: Antique Gold

NECK

NECK: Hard Maple
FINGERBOARD: Ovangkol 
FRETS: 22
INLAYS: Mother of Pearl Patterned

HEADSTOCK

MACHINEHEADS: Planetary
TRUSSROD COVER: 'Troubadour' Script
NUT WIDTH: 31mm

DIMENSIONS

SCALE LENGTH: 670mm
WEIGHT: 5kg

The Barnes & Mullins Rathbone 5-String Banjo Electro blends classic bluegrass tone with stage-ready electronics for players who need acoustic warmth and amplified presence. A mahogany resonator, mahogany rim and neck paired with a black Remo WeatherKing head produce a rich, responsive voice, while the rolled brass tone ring and maple bridge with an ovangkol tip deliver clarity and projection. Built for live use, the Rathbone includes a humbucking pickup with onboard electronics, 1/4" jack and volume control so it plugs straight into amps or PA systems without losing character. Comfortable ovangkol fingerboard, 22 frets, planetary machineheads and chrome hardware complete a polished, reliable instrument for bluegrass, country, folk, jazz and band settings.

• Style: 5-string resonator (electro)
• Resonator & rim: Mahogany
• Head: Remo WeatherKing® Black
• Tone ring: Rolled brass; Bracket quantity: 24
• Bridge: Maple with ovangkol tip
• Pickups: Humbucking pickup with onboard electronics, 1/4" jack input & volume control
• Neck: Mahogany; Fingerboard: Ovangkol; Frets: 22
• Machineheads: Planetary; Inlays: Mother-of-pearl patterned
• Scale length: 697 mm; Nut width: 30 mm; Weight: 5 kg

The ''Perfect'' series of banjos were first created by Messrs Barnes & Mullins at the start of the 1900s and formed the very core of the early B&M instrument offering.

Featuring a mahogany resonator and aluminium rim with a Remo WeatherKing head and mahogany neck, Barnes & Mullins Perfect banjos deliver a warm and controlled sound with a gentle and mature response.

Complete with chrome hardware and fittings, ovangkol fingerboard, and modern closed gear machineheads.

Well into the 21st century, original B&M 'Perfect' banjos still change hands for considerable sums of money amongst both antique dealers and musicians alike. The modern-day 'Perfect' banjos draw on the influence of the original instruments, paying homage to the vision and designs of our founders.

Why should I buy a 4-string banjo?

This B&M Perfect 4-string banjo is also sometimes referred to as a ‘plectrum’ or ‘tenor’ banjo and is generally used for lively styles such as traditional jazz (Dixieland). It is usually played with a pick (or ‘plectrum’) in either an accompaniment strumming fashion or by picking individual melody notes – much like a guitar.

It makes for an excellent introductory instrument if you’re new to the world of banjos given its use of fewer strings than 5-string banjos, its shorter scale length, and its versatile playing styles.

Common 4-string banjo tunings

C, G, D, A – Standard Tenor Tuning
D, G, B, E – Chicago Tuning

BODY & CONSTRUCTION

STYLE: 4-String Resonator
RESONATOR: Mahogany 
HEAD: Remo Weatherking®
FLANGE: Chrome
BRACKET QTY: 30
RIM: Aluminium
BRIDGE: Maple with Ovangkol Tip
HARDWARE: Chrome
TAILPIECE: Chrome
ARMREST: Chrome

NECK

NECK: Mahogany 
FINGERBOARD: Ovangkol
FRETS: 19
INLAYS: Mother of Pearl Dots

HEADSTOCK

MACHINEHEADS: Closed Gear
TRUSSROD COVER: 'Perfect' Script
NUT WIDTH: 30mm

DIMENSIONS

SCALE LENGTH: 576mm
WEIGHT: 3kg

Barnes & Mullins Empress banjos are beautiful instruments named in memory of the 'RMS Empress of Ireland' steam ship which sank on Canada's St Lawrence River in May 1914 with the loss of over 1000 lives. Mr Albert Mullins, who was on the return leg of a 2 year worldwide sales voyage, was one of the lost souls that day.

Featuring a wonderfully figured burl walnut resonator with its spellbinding marbled grain pattern, combined with a walnut rim and neck, the Empress banjo is a real head turner!

Tonally, you can expect superb depth to the overall sound, paired with a bright and articulate response that rewards exploration and encourages performance of a wide range of playing styles.

Complete with chrome hardware and fittings, ovangkol fingerboard with patterned fret inlays, and traditional planetary machineheads.

Why should I buy a 4-string banjo?

This 4-String Irish/Gaelic banjo features 17 frets and is commonly tuned in ‘Irish tuning’ G,D,A,E (4th to 1st). Its shorter scale length makes playing typically fast Irish fiddle styles and songs easier, therefore making its use more common among these types of music and musicians.

It makes for an excellent introductory instrument if you’re new to the world of banjos given its use of fewer strings than 5-string banjos, its shorter scale length, and its versatile playing styles.

Common Irish/Gaelic 4-string banjo tunings

G, D, A, E – Irish Tenor Tuning
C, G, D, A – Standard Tenor Tuning

BODY & CONSTRUCTION

STYLE: 4-String Irish/Gaelic Resonator
RESONATOR: Figured Burl Walnut
HEAD: Remo Weatherking®
FLANGE: Chrome
TONE RING: Rolled Brass
BRACKET QTY: 24
RIM: Walnut
BRIDGE: Maple with Ovangkol Tip
HARDWARE: Chrome
TAILPIECE: Chrome
ARMREST: Chrome

NECK

NECK: Walnut
FINGERBOARD: Ovangkol 
FRETS: 17
INLAYS: Mother of Pearl Patterned

HEADSTOCK

MACHINEHEADS: Planetary
TRUSSROD COVER: 'Empress' Script
NUT WIDTH: 31mm

DIMENSIONS

SCALE LENGTH: 502mm
WEIGHT: 5kg

The Barnes & Mullins 'Albert' open back 5-String banjo is an authentic 'old-time' banjo. Unlike more commonly used 'bluegrass' banjos, open back models produce a noticeably quieter sound than their resonator-equipped, louder siblings.

Featuring a chocolate-coloured walnut rim and mahogany neck, the Albert’s natural ‘open-back’ character is complimented perfectly with a charming mature tone and subtle brightness that brings the Albert to life.

The Albert is complete with chrome fittings and armrest, ovangkol fingerboard with patterned fret inlays, and traditional planetary machineheads.

Who is this banjo for?

This B&M ‘Albert’ 5-string open back banjo is – like all open back banjos – a great choice for ‘Clawhammer’ players. Clawhammer playing employs a percussive technique where the index or middle fingers are used to strike the strings rather than finger picks – with the hand in a ‘claw’ shape.

This technique naturally produces a softer sound that is complimented perfectly by an open back instrument as it is quieter and more subdued tonally as some of the sound escapes through the back towards the player.

Common 5-string banjo tunings

G, D, G, B, D - Open G
G, C, G, B, D - C Tuning / Drop C

BODY & CONSTRUCTION

STYLE: 5-String Open Back
HEAD: Remo Weatherking®
BRACKET QTY: 18
RIM: Walnut
BRIDGE: Maple with Ovangkol Tip
HARDWARE: Chrome
TAILPIECE: Chrome
ARMREST: Chrome

NECK

NECK: Mahogany
FINGERBOARD: Ovangkol 
FRETS: 22
INLAYS: Mother of Pearl Patterned

HEADSTOCK

MACHINEHEADS: Planetary
TRUSSROD COVER: 'Albert' Script
NUT WIDTH: 31mm

DIMENSIONS

SCALE LENGTH: 670mm
WEIGHT: 3kg

The Barnes & Mullins Perfect 6-String Banjo marries early 20th‑century design with modern playability to give guitarists and banjoists a warm, focused resonator tone. Its mahogany resonator and neck, aluminium rim and Remo Weatherking® head produce a mature, controlled voice that responds beautifully to fingerstyle or plectrum. The ovangkol fingerboard, maple bridge with ovangkol tip and mother‑of‑pearl dot inlays offer a comfortable, familiar feel while closed‑gear machineheads and chrome hardware ensure stable tuning and vintage looks. Tuned E–A–D–G–B–E like a guitar, this 6‑string is ideal for guitarists wanting to transfer techniques to the banjo effortlessly.

• Style: 6‑String Resonator
• Resonator & neck: Mahogany
• Head: Remo Weatherking®; Rim: Aluminium; Flange: Chrome
• Bridge: Maple with Ovangkol tip; Fingerboard: Ovangkol
• Hardware: Chrome; Bracket quantity: 30; Machineheads: Closed gear
• Frets: 19; Inlays: Mother of Pearl dots; Nut width: 43 mm; Scale length: 576 mm; Weight: 3 kg
• Tuning: Standard guitar (E A D G B E); Inlay fret positions: 3, 5, 7, 10, 12 etc.

PORTUGêS: O Barnes & Mullins Perfect 6-String Banjo combina o desenho clássico do início do século XX com conforto moderno, oferecendo um timbre de ressonador quente e controlado. O ressonador e o braço em mogno, aro de alumínio e a pele Remo Weatherking® entregam uma resposta madura e equilibrada, adequada tanto para fingerstyle quanto para palheta. A escala em ovangkol, ponte em maple com ponta em ovangkol e marcadores em madrepérola proporcionam toque familiar, enquanto as tarraxas fechadas e ferragens cromadas garantem afinação estável e aparência refinada. Afinado E–A–D–G–B–E, é perfeito para guitarristas que querem transferir técnicas ao banjo facilmente.

• Estilo: Ressonador 6‑cordas
• Ressonador e braço: Mogno
• Pele: Remo Weatherking®; Aro: Alumínio; Flange: Cromado
• Ponte: Maple com ponta em Ovangkol; Escala: Ovangkol
• Ferragens: Cromadas; Quantidade de braçadeiras: 30; Tarraxas: Fechadas
• Trastes: 19; Marcadores: Madrepérola; Largura da pestana: 43 mm; Escala: 576 mm; Peso: 3 kg
• Afinamento: Afinação de guitarra padrão (E A D G B E); Posicionamento dos marcadores: casas 3, 5, 7, 10, 12 etc.

The Barnes & Mullins 'Rathbone' banjo is a handsome 5-string banjo named after Rathbone Place, the London home of Messrs Barnes and Mullins in the early 1900s.

Featuring a mahogany resonator and mahogany rim with a black Remo WeatherKing head and mahogany neck, this Rathbone banjo combines a stylish modern aesthetic with a traditional rich, warm sound and smooth response.

The Rathbone is complete with chrome hardware and fittings, ovangkol fingerboard, and traditional planetary machineheads.

Why should I buy a 5-string banjo?

This B&M Rathbone 5-string resonator banjo is the standard for bluegrass playing but is also an excellent choice for other musical styles including country, gospel, jazz, folk, classical and rock. It's the go-to style of banjo for 'Scruggs' players who use three-fingers with fingerpicks on the index and middle fingers and a thumbpick for a fast-tempo and lively style.

Its resonator design means this banjo sounds naturally loud and bright and therefore makes for an excellent accompaniment instrument.

Common 5-string banjo tunings

G, D, G, B, D - Open G
G, C, G, B, D - C Tuning / Drop C

BODY & CONSTRUCTION

STYLE: 5-String Resonator - Electro
RESONATOR: Mahogany
HEAD: Remo Weatherking® Black
FLANGE: Chrome
TONE RING: Rolled Brass
BRACKET QTY: 24
RIM: Mahogany
BRIDGE: Maple with Ovangkol Tip
HARDWARE: Chrome
TAILPIECE: Chrome
ARMREST: Chrome

NECK

NECK: Mahogany
FINGERBOARD: Ovangkol 
FRETS: 22
INLAYS: Mother of Pearl Patterned

HEADSTOCK

MACHINEHEADS: Planetary
TRUSSROD COVER: 'Rathbone' Script
NUT WIDTH: 30mm

DIMENSIONS

SCALE LENGTH: 697mm
WEIGHT: 5kg

The ''Perfect'' series of banjos were first created by Messrs Barnes & Mullins at the start of the 1900s and formed the very core of the early B&M instrument offering.

Featuring a mahogany resonator and aluminium rim with a Remo WeatherKing head and mahogany neck, Barnes & Mullins Perfect banjos deliver a warm and controlled sound with a gentle and mature response.

Complete with chrome hardware and fittings, ovangkol fingerboard, and modern closed gear machineheads.

Well into the 21st century, original B&M 'Perfect' banjos still change hands for considerable sums of money amongst both antique dealers and musicians alike. The modern-day 'Perfect' banjos draw on the influence of the original instruments, paying homage to the vision and designs of our founders.

Why should I buy a 4-string banjo?

This B&M Perfect Irish-Gaelic 4-string banjo features 17 frets and is commonly tuned in ‘Irish tuning’ G,D,A,E (4th to 1st). Its shorter scale length makes playing typically fast Irish fiddle styles and songs easier, therefore making its use more common among these types of music and musicians.

It makes for an excellent introductory instrument if you’re new to the world of banjos given its use of fewer strings than 5-string banjos, its shorter scale length, and its versatile playing styles.

Common Irish/Gaelic 4-string banjo tunings

G, D, A, E – Irish Tenor Tuning
C, G, D, A – Standard Tenor Tuning

BODY & CONSTRUCTION

STYLE: 4-String Irish/Gaelic Resonator
RESONATOR: Mahogany 
HEAD: Remo Weatherking®
FLANGE: Chrome
BRACKET QTY: 30
RIM: Aluminium
BRIDGE: Maple with Ovangkol Tip
HARDWARE: Chrome
TAILPIECE: Chrome
ARMREST: Chrome

NECK

NECK: Mahogany 
FINGERBOARD: Ovangkol 
FRETS: 17
INLAYS: Mother of Pearl Dots

HEADSTOCK

MACHINEHEADS: Closed Gear
TRUSSROD COVER: 'Perfect' Script
NUT WIDTH: 30mm

DIMENSIONS

SCALE LENGTH: 502mm
WEIGHT: 3kg