Deering Banjos celebrated the 50th anniversary of the meteoric success of the hit “Tom Dooley” and The Kingston Trio with 3 Kingston Trio Long Neck banjos and a Vega Kingston Trio Plectrum.

The 4 different models are a tribute to Kingston Trio members Bob Shane, Dave Guard, John Stewart and George Grove and bear a special “The Kingston Trio” inlay on their fingerboard.

Bob Shane, founding member of the Kingston Trio, has the special 50th anniversary commemorative plectrum model Kingston Trio banjo. In 1957, Bob Shane played a plectrum banjo, not a long neck, for the recording of Tom Dooley! His Vega Koa plectrum banjo by Deering is a 22-fret model with “The Kingston Trio” in mother of pearl at the 15th through 17th frets.

On his plectrum there is an additional inlay of “1957-2007” at the 19th fret to mark the 50 years of Tom Dooley recorded by the Kingston Trio; the song that brought them to astronomical success. The peghead shape of the Bob Shane Plectrum banjo has gently sloped sides; reminiscent of the early Vega Little Wonder models and is inlayed with the Vega name and a mother of pearl star.

The natural Koa color will be enhanced by Deering’s masterfully done, glass-like gloss finish. The traditional tubaphone tonering, hand fitted bracket band on a 3-ply maple rim, combine with the rich, dense Koa wood to produce a banjo whose sound  is both sweet and powerful, with long lasting sustain.

A vintage styled Vega stain in brown and yellow enhanced by a gloss finish characterize the Dave Guard long neck model.  Dave Guard was among the first artists to play the long neck banjo, inspiring generations of banjoists to play this sweet and versatile instrument, tuned to E for a deep, full, yet sparkling voice.

The George Grove model has a special deep brown stain over the premium, highly figured, curly rock maple. With the same hard, dense, colorful exotic natural ebony fingerboard and  special “The Kingston Trio” inlay at the 19th through 21st frets as the other models, the neck is full yet fast in the Vega tradition and the geared fifth peg is mounted near the 8th fret. For additional versatility, when a capo is applied to the third fret of a long neck model, the banjo has a standard G tuning and the string length is the same as any 22-fret banjo.

The third Kingston Trio long neck has the same curly rock maple as the others but will be a natural blond like the one that John Stewart played. It will have the same tonal elements as the previous models, giving it the ability to faithfully re-create the folk music of the 1960’s.

The sparkling, deep, full, round sound of the Kingston Trio long necks is one of the true classics of the 20th century that will easily carry through to the next millennium. “Through changing times, the Trio has played on, remaining popular for a simple reason…great songs that sound as good today as the first time you heard them.”  In the same vein, Deering Banjo Company creates great banjos that not only sound good today but will play and sound even better every time you “pick” them!

Vega Kingston Trio - Bob Shane Plectrum Banjo

Played with a flat pick, and so called a "plectrum", The Bob Shane 50th Anniversary model celebrates the fact that the banjo music on the famous recording of the song, "Tom Dooley", was actually played by Bob Shane on a plectrum banjo that was tuned like the last four strings of a guitar! A Little known fact.

The Bob Shane Plectrum banjo is a professional grade banjo made beautifully figured natural koa wood buffed to a high gloss. It has a genuine Deering made Vega Tubaphone tone ring made of brass for outstanding quality of tone and projection. The precision Vega style 3-ply Maple Rim, hand fit with a genuine Vega Tubaphone Tone Ring, Brass Bracket Band, Frosted Top Head provides a crisp tone for all styles of music.

This is the perfect cross over banjo for guitar players who want that special banjo tone! Whether you play Kingston Trio style of popular folk music, classical, bluegrass, old fiddle tunes, blues, jazz or compose your own music with this wonderful plectrum banjo you get renowned craftsmanship, and classic tone.

(Our price is $1000 off the retail price and shipping & handling is included!!) PLEASE ALLOW 4-6 WEEKS

Vega Kingston Trio Long Neck Banjo

Tuned in E or capoed in G, and great for deep singing voices, the Kingston Trio Long Neck celebrates the success of one of the longest living popular folk bands. If, like Greg Deering, you first found a love of the banjo from listening to the Kingston Trio, having one of these wonderful banjos makes you a part of something very special.

You have a choice of color in selecting your Kingston Trio Long Neck banjo. You also get the beautiful Kingston Trio inlay in the fingerboard as a special commemorative model that celebrates their wonderful music. The curly maple of the neck can be stained according to your color preference like the Vega banjos of Kingston Trio banjoists: George Grove – Rich Brown, John Stewart – Blond, and Dave Guard- Vintage Yellow & Brown.

NOTE: If you would like spikes installed on your banjo, please specify in the comment section of your order form. Option A: at 10th & 12th frets, A & B when capoed at 3rd fret for G tuning. Option B: at 10th, 12th & 13th frets, A, B & C when capoed at 3rd fret for G tuning. For more information about spikes, please visit: Deering Banjos Info Page

(Our price is $1000 off the retail price and shipping & handling is included!!) PLEASE ALLOW 4-6 WEEKS