A stunning upgrade for those playing traditional Gaelic music. 

This "Empress" Irish-Gaelic 4-string banjo features a shorter-scale, 17 fret neck. This shorter-than-usual scale is ideal for playing the fast, complex fiddle melodies found in much traditional Irish and Gaelic music. 

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, plus its shorter scale allows you the extra level of freedom to run up and down the neck with ease. The instrument is complemented by chrome hardware and fittings, ovangkol fingerboard with patterned fret inlays, and traditional planetary-style machineheads.

Aurally, you can be sure of superb depth of sound, paired with a bright and articulate response that rewards exploration and encourages performance of a wide range of playing styles. Overall, you can be confident that the Empress Gaelic Banjo will impress visually and aurally at every turn. 

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.

Common Irish/Gaelic 4-string banjo tunings

G, D, A, E – Irish Tenor Tuning (the same as a violin / fiddle)
C, G, D, A – Standard Tenor Tuning

Find out more about banjo tunings