Michael Shames' Banjos
Epiphone "Emperor"
 

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Here are photos of one of the rarest banjos in the world. This is an Epiphone "Emperor". It was the top of the line for Epiphone, and only a handful were made. Estimated production less than 10. This one in the Michael Shames collection is the only known factory original plectrum. The few other surviving ones are all tenors. Serial Number is 6644, and probably built in 1928.

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Created: April 12, 1999
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Last Updated:
January 08 2026 12:59:11

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