Clifford Essex started out in partnership with Alfred D. Cammeyer but this partnership ended in 1900 before the production of any Banjoleles. In 1904 Essex opened his own workshop and started manufacture, but he was also rebranding other peoples instruments at this time. Essex workshops made a range of fretted instruments including Ukuleles, Mandolins and Guitars, not just Banjos and Banjoleles.

In 1915 He took over the Spencer Banjo Works, (on the death of Richard Spencer), and in 1919 the firm's title was changed to "Clifford Essex & Son". At this time only their cheapest model, (The "Popular'), was made outside their own workshops by GH&S. 

In 1936 the firm became "Clifford-Essex & Son Ltd. The firm went into liquidation in 1942 due to the War effort and manufacture ceased. At the end of WW2 a new company. with the title "Clifford Essex Music Co. Ltd." started and began producing a few hand made, (by luthier Marco Roccia), instruments, these bear the initials "C.E." in mother-of pearl inlaid into the peghead. This small enterprise continued until 1977. 

Clifford Essex was relaunched in 2007 as a distributor now rather than a manufacturer, but still with its own branded instruments, they are set up at the workshop and if you buy direct a custom label with your name is put in.