I have in my possession a Gibson 5 string banjo that I have been playing for the past 6 months or so. It is a great instrument, my first stringed anything, and I'm really enjoying playing it. However, I know little to nothing about it!
I'd really like to know more.What I do know is mostly anecdotal. I received it from a friend, it belonged to his late grandfather. It is to some extent 'custom' (his words). At one point, he was offered $6k for it, which he supposedly 'laughed at.' Other than that I know nothing more.Here are photos of it.
The serial number is 907-4, which I was unable to find a match for. There are two tone rods, and the thing weighs a ton (from the thick rim, I presume).Does anyone know anything about this banjo? It is a mystery to me, but I greatly enjoy playing it. Knowing some more about it would just be nice.Cheers,. bjbrbb. Almost all banjos are pieced together as there are VERY few factories that produce all the parts for banjos (for example, Gibson banjos are assembled with metal parts made by, a company in Czechoslovakia).All in all, this looks like a very well constructed banjo. As for the parts.
I'm just not well-versed enough to tell where they all come from. And as to who did it.
That's really tough. For years there have been people that have been able to construct banjos (some much better than others). For example, Don Elkins in Montana used to construct banjos for people. So definitely, just because it says 'Gibson' doesn't mean it's a Gibson.So let's go with the little I know.
The tailpiece is newer. Prewar Presto tailpieces had 'Grover Patent' above the 'Presto.' One of the characteristics of a Gibson flange (OLD Gibson flange) is the (after the maker, Dohler-Jarvis who casted the flanges). Sometimes you can JUST see the mark, but other times you have to take the neck off to properly see it. Around the end of the 1950s, Dohler-Jarvis changed their cast and the mark was no longer seen on Gibson banjo flanges. TL;DR: You may have a conversion Gibson Mastertone TB-75.
Maybe.Other people will do a better job than me I'm sure, but here goes. You've got RB5-style patterns/inlay on an RB75-style neck, but obviously the inlay has been redone and I don't think Gibson used ebony heel caps. If I was restoring a Gibson banjo, I'd want it to look as much like the original as possible, so I'm going to assume it's not a Gibson neck, but a custom neck made to the original owner's tastes, possibly with the original Gibson head-stock.Old Gibson resonators don't appear to be machined in such a way as to have those circular markings, and the resonator looks very new. If anything, it looks a lot like a Recording King resonator - possibly from the RK Elite 75.The rim is missing the Gibson sticker and looks very new - if anything it looks like a Deering rim to me (just going on Deering banjos I've seen, including my own). Kind of hard to tell, but again, it doesn't look old. It could be a Gibson TB-75 rim (which would explain the new neck), the serial number style matches up: - if so, it's in incredible condition. Maybe this has been restored recently?$6000 sounds more than fair unless you know and can be convincing about the provenance, but I'm not up-to-date on what pre-war rims/tone-rings sell for.
5 String resonator BanjosAlvarez 4285.Mahogany wood. Nice condition, with only a very little fret wear.Geared tuners and friction 5th string tuner. Hardshell case. This is anice sounding and playing banjo for the money.Bellbird Carillon. This beautiful banjo was built inAustralia by Peter Nahyusen. The wood is premium curly maple, with astunning blue nitrocellulose lacquer finish.
It has a red maple blockrim, with a flathead tone ring. It sounds as good as it looks, and is in like-new condition!Bishline Patriot.Although used, other than a wisp of fret wear it is virtually inlike-new condition. Walnut neck, with a burl walnut resonator; satinfinish.
Ebony fingerboard with blackbinding. Three ply maple rim and a tone hoop. This American-madelight-weight banjo is ideal for someone with back problems. Itoundsgreat, but has a little less volume as a banjo with a heavy metalring. Incidentally, any standard bluegrass-type tone ring can be fittedto the rim, if the owner desires to do so at a later date.Custom banjo with prewar Gibson 40-hole archtop tone ring. Mapleneck and resonator; wreath inlay. Although this banjo wasevidently made about fifteen years ago, it is in nearly like newcondition, with only a tiny hint of fret wear. It is a really nicesounding archtop.DeeringSierra.
This banjo is in excellent condition in all respects. It is a lot of banjo for not a lot of money!2003Desert Rose BG-75. Mahogany, with a Tony Pass Lost Timber rim.We sold this new and the owner evidently rarely played it, so itremains in virtually unplayed condition with just a hint of wear on thefirst two frets. ScottZimmerman is one of finest builders in the world; unfortunately heevidently isn't currently making banjos, so they are few and far between.2003 Desert RoseSalt Creek Custom. Mahogany, with a beautiful resonator (which can't beseen well in the pics). Tony Pass Timeless Timer rim. We sold this newand the owner never tried to learn to play, so it is in virtually mintcondition with just a tiny bit of fret wear.
ScottZimmerman is one of finest builders in the world; unfortunately heisn't currently making banjos, so they are few and far between.2001Fender Prototype Concert Tone. This one-of-a-kind banjo was built asthe result of an agreement between Fender and Scott Zimmerman for apossible Fender re-entry into the professional banjo market. Thewood is American walnut with a beautiful burl resonator. JLS #4 tonering and 3-ply rim. The label is signed and dated by Scott, and thereis a letter from him verifying the above. It is in virtually newcondition, with not even a trace of fret wear!1927-late1930s GibsonBella Voce. The pot on this extremely rare banjo was, in allprobability, built in 1927, and the neck a decade later. There is nocarving on the neck, and the peghead inlay is completely different thanon the standard Bella Voce.
It is absolutely original, with tube andplate flange and a 40-hole archtop tone ring. We had Richie Dotsonbuild a 5-string neck that matches the original perfectly.
Gibson Banjo Serial Numbers Dating
It is areally neat instrument and you'll probably never see another like it!1927 Gibson Granada.FON 8886. The previous owner installed a Mitch Meador conversion ringon top of the original 40-hole archtop ring.
It can be easilyremoved if the buyer so desires. It has a decent 5-string neck ofunknownmake, with the original tuning pegs and pearl knobs. There is just alittle fret wear, mostly at the 2nd fret. Worn gold platedparts. New coordinator rods, and one missing resonator thumbscrew. A really nicesounding banjo!1928GibsonGranada. This was Steve Sparkman's banjo, which I acquired in trade forhis 'dream' banjo, a 1927 style 5 no-hole.
The banjo was started byGibson in 1925, as the peghead inlay indicates. In 1928 they finishedit, in the process changing the tone ring from ball bearing to 40-holearchtop.
Steve had Frank Neat build a really nice 5-string neck. Thepot is all original; gold plating is nice, although the armrest has arepair.1 929Gibson Recording King. Chrome plated metal parts, maple wood, fancymulti-color binding, and 40-hole archtop tone ring. This is a very rareGibson; the wood and inlay resemble the style 6 Gibson.Very nicecondition, and a wonderful sounding banjo.1931Gibson Studio King. This is an extremely rare model.
It resembles astyle 4 Gibson, with Hearts and Flowers inlay, but has fancierconcentric rings on the resonator.One piece flange and 40-hole archtoptone ring, with nickel plated parts and mahogany wood. Richie Dotson made a great matching 5-string neck. Expensive, butyou may never have a chance to purchase another one!1930s GibsonKK-10 conversion. The pot is all original except for the tailpiece. The flange ispulled up a little, but is better than most; it is very solid. RichieDotson made a new 5-string neck with Flying Eagle inlay, and installedone of his new Dotson 75 flathead tone rings. A great sounding and verypowerful banjo!1930s GibsonKK-11.
The pot is all original except for the tailpiece. The flange ispulled up as usual, but is very solid. RichieDotson made a new 5-string neck with Reno inlay, and installedone of his new Dotson 75 flathead tone rings. This is an excellentbanjo in all respects. In my opinion, TB-11 and KK conversions areabsolutely the best bargains in bluegrass banjos.1970s Gibson RB-250.Decent overall condition with practically no fret wear. There is somegreen vertigris on the metal parts which could be cleaned.
The tube hasa couple of breaks, which are harmless because it is stable as is. If you arelooking for an RB-250 at a great price, look no further. No case.1929 Gibson TB-2. One piece flange.
Very nice conditionand 100% original. The flange is solid and not badly warped.It is pictured as a tenor, and it is available this way or witha new Florentine Special inlay neck built by Wyatt Fawley. Callfor details if interested. 1925GibsonTB-3 banjo. New mahogany 5-string neck by Richie Dotson withHearts & Flowers inlay.
Ball bearing tone ring. The potstill has the skin head. Kygo happy life mp3 song. The resonator has a very dark, almost black, stain andappears to be original, but I can't be sure.
Gibson Bowtie Banjo Serial Numbers
One of the resonator wall lugs is missing. Original Presto tailpieceand new Gotoh tuners. A good banjo at a good price!1926GibsonTB-3 banjo with ball bearing tone ring. We had a new 5-string neckmade, and the resontor was refinished to match. The pot is 100%original except for the tailpiece, which is a new Presto.
One ofthe resonator screws is missing. It still has the original skin head.1927GibsonTB-3 banjo. New mahogany 5-string neck by Richie Dotson withWreath inlay. No-hole archtop tone ring.
The pot in verynice condition and is 100% original, including the tuners and Prestotailpiece, except for the armrest which is newer. This is a really niceprewar banjo.1932 Gibson TB-3 with one piece flange. Very nice condition.The resonator has been refinished and it looks 'right.' The flange is very solid, with no problems. We have a great 5-stringneck for it, made by Wyatt Fawley.
Call for details if interested(1472). 1935 Gibson TB-3/75, with 40-hole archtop ring. I'vedealt in prewar Gibsons for thirty years and this is by far thecleanest one of its type I've ever had or seen. The metal is about asbright as it weould be on a new banjo and the wood is great.
I just puta new Wyatt Fawley neck on it, and it is available that way or as atenor. Notice the rare Bella Voce inlay on the tenor neck.1925 Gibson TB-4. Ballbearing tone ring. Nice 5-string neck by Robin Smith, with FlyingEagle inlay and rosewood fingerboard.
New Presto tailpiece. Theresonator has the expected scratches, etc. The banjo still has theoriginal skin head, and it has a really great tone.1928Gibson TB-6 with Checkerboard binding. 40-hole archtop tone ring.
Thisbanjo is exceptionally nice in all respects. I assume it was a customorder, since it has a honey maple finish instead of the usual Argentinegray. I've never owned one of these with nicer gold plating. The new 5-string neck was made by Richie Dotson.1930s Gibson TB-11. The pot is all original except for the tailpiece.
The flange isabout as flat as they get. RichieDotson made a new 5-string neck with Wreath inlay, and installeda Hopkins flathead tone ring. This banjo is a real powerhouse, with tone to match!Huber JimMills. Gold plated with engraved armrest and tailpiece.Mahogany wood with speed neck. It has the expected fret wear, mostly onthe first few frets. The resonator has a number of 'marks' which canonly be seen by tilting it. Overall a very nice banjo.Huss& Dalton Owens Mill.
Located in the heart of the famous Union Square shopping district, our flagship store is an inviting and intimate retreat from its bustling surroundings.
We sold this new in 2003 and it hasbeen kept in wonderful condition, with just the the usual fretwear at the first few frets. It is a really nice banjos in all respects!MullinsBluegrass Special with tunnelled 5th string. Built by Clancy Mullins in2016, it has a prewar Gibson hoop type tone ring (as used onTB-1, etc.) maple neck and resonator, Pass-Schaeffer old wood rim, Waverlytuners, and Price tailpiece. Great condition.2002 Stelling Black Stag. To myknowledge, this is the only one ever made. It has been played less than a few hours; itis 100% original, and is in immaculate condition.
It has been treated as apiece of art (i.e. Too nice to play). Click to see details.2005 Stelling Crusader Deluxe. Mahagony, with gold plated and engraved tailpiece, armrest, and tension hoop.
It has the Tony Pass rim, as made. Condition is like new on this great banjo!1996 Stelling engraved Masterflower. We sold this banjo new, andthe purchaser has taken good care of it. There is only a little fretwear, and the wood is nice. There are numerous marks on the resonator(belt buckle) but they are only seen when it is tilted at an angle;nothing is through the finish. Beautiful claro walnut wood, and all themetal parts on the pot are engraved; even the tone ring. No truss rod cover; the owner kept it because it has his name engraved.
This is one nice banjo!1993 Stelling Sunflower. This banjo has been taken care of very well andis in great condition, although it does have the expected fret wear,and a few marks on the side of the peghead. The wood is exceptionallyattractive. I installed a Tony Pass Lost Timber rim for the owner a fewyears ago; the original rim comes with the banjo.Turtle Hill Bluegrass Woody.Maple neck and resonator. One piece flange, and a Tony Pass ThinSkirt rim and wooden tone ring. It also has a bound peghead anda radiused fingerboard. We sold this new and the buyer decidedhe wanted an openback banjo instead.
Although technically used,it is virtually unplayed and in absolutely like new condition. 5 String Open Back BanjosMike Ramsey Presentation Grade with 11' pot and Whyte Laydiestyle tone ring. Curly maple neck with extremely fancy inlays,beautifully carved heel. The tension hoop is engraved. Scale is approx.26 inches.
Like new condition.Mike Ramsey12' Fretless with Presentation Grade inlays. Brass hoop tone ring. Curlymaple neck. Scale length is approximately 25.5 inches. The tension hoop pl;ating is dull, but the banjo is in like newcondition.Mike Ramsey fretless with Stelling tone ring.That's right; you read it correctly. This banjo wandered into my shopabout fifteen years ago, and has remained in the back room until now.It was built while Ramsey was in Ohio; serial number is 190. Scalelength is approximately 25½.'
The tone ring is a flathead Stelling, andis marked as such. It apears to be aluminum, but I haven't removed it.I talked with Geoff Stelling and he remembered it as an experimentalring, but didn't recall how it left his shop. So, it is absolutely aone-of-a-kind instrument. Sounds great, and is in excellent condition.1922Vega Tubaphone. New 5-string neck with Griffin pegheadinlay. The pot is in nice, original condition, with the original Rogersskin head.
New armrest and tailpiece.1928 Vega Tubaphone with Mike Ramseycurly maple neck. Fancy Tubaphone style inlays on peghead, fingerboard,and on the back of the peghead and heel. Backstrap. 10 15/16' pot.Scale is approx. Nissan data scan 2 crack. Like newcondition.Vega LittleWonder. 1 015/16' pot. This banjo started life as a tenor. It now hasa new 5-string neck made by Wyatt Fawley, with an engraved griffininlay on the peghead.
1921 Vega Style N. We had Wyatt Fawley build a newmahogany neck with torch inlay. Other than some rusty brackets,two of which don't match the others, the pot is in decent condition.This is a really nice sounding banjo.FourString Banjos(Tenor unless otherwisespecified)Gibson one-of-a-kind Florentine,circa 1934. This is undoubtedly the rarest prewar Gibson archtopbanjo in existence! From the front it looks like a regular Florentine,with the ice cream cone peghead and scenes of Italy on the fingerboard,but the resonator and neck carvings are completely differentthan on any other banjo.
Gibson Earl Scruggs Banjo Serial Numbers
It also has one piece flange construction,which is found on only a few Florentines. 1916 Vega Tubaphone. This early Tubaphone has the10 3/4' pot, which many players prefer to the later 10 15/16'pot. It has a 17-fret neck.The banjo is in nice condition, and still has the original skinhead. There is a little rust/darkening on some of the brackets,as usual.1920s Vega Vegaphone with Tubaphone tone ring; serial number89120.
This Tubaphone has the 10 15/16' pot and a 19-fret neck. Thebrackets have been replaced with later ones. Original (and rare) Grovertuners and engraved Presto tailpiece.
Index to Vintage Gibson Banjo Serial Number InformationHere you will find the Pre-War serial numbers divided into 3 groups,starting with serial number 8000 in 1925.Note: Date ranges listed here are approximate, as the batch numbers weremany times used out of sequence. You can tell a lot by noting theactual ship-dates where they are available. If you have an old banjoand a verifiable ship-date, please contact me! Every point of datahelps progress our knowledge about this important time in banjo history.Please send me an email if you have any comments, corrections, or if youwish to any information or pictures.
Thanks!NOTE: The dateranges below have been updated to reflect recent documentation that pointsto earlier production dates for banjos in the 9000-9999 and 1-300 ranges. These include the first Mastertones. From the Ball Bearings to the40-hole archtops.About 1925 to 1926, the peak of Jazz era - and peak banjo production!This series goes from about 1927 to 1929, where the one-piece flangeand flat head tone ring originated.These begin about 1931and continue up to the end of the pre-war production.Most of these banjos are documented in the hand-written Gibsonshipping ledgers which survive to this day. Although these recordshave been kept secret since the 1940's, there is work currently beingdone to compile and publish this data in the near future.
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