Messrs Barnes & Mullins first created the “Perfect” series of banjos. It was the foundation of early B&M instruments. The original B&M ‘Perfect’ banjos continue to be sold for substantial sums by musicians and collectors well into the 21st century.
The modern-day Perfect’ banjos borrow from the influence of the original instruments. This pays homage to Barnes & Mullins’ vision and designs.
This Gaelic or Irish Tenor Banjo with 17 frets is a short-scale instrument. It’s tuned the same way as a violin/mandolin but only an octave lower. This banjo is tuned to the Irish tenor tuning G, D A, E and uses special Irish tenor strings.
Tenor banjos are often used to play Irish music. They are more skilled at playing melodies than chords. Many Irish instrumental songs are fiddle tunes. The Gaelic-Irish tenor banjo tunes to the same notes, an octave higher than the fiddle. Because the scale is shorter, it’s easier to play the often rapid melodies, of which triplets are often a significant part.
