Turtle Hill Banjo Company

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Turtle Hill
Banjo Company
David E. Schenkman
P.O. Box 265
Bryantown, MD 20617
301-274-3441
 

Used Banjos
5 String Resonator - 5 String Open Back - Four String

Click here for our New Banjos page

Below is a list of used banjos currently in stock. See something of interest? We will be glad to furnish a complete description and price on request.

 What's New in Banjos

5 String Resonator Banjos
PREWAR GIBSON BANJOS: We always have lots of interesting prewars in stock. At present our inventory includes TB-1, TB-11 (several of them), TB-2, TB-3, TB-75, and a wonderful original high profile flathead TB-6 with sparkle binding. If SERIOUSLY interested, give us a call.

Crafters of Tennessee. Mahogany. This banjo was made for Herb Pederson, who played it a couple of years and loved it. The company then gave it to me. It has normal wear and tear for a 14-15 year old banjo, but overall is quite decent. And, it has really incredible tone! I played it for a number of years, but decided to thin the herd since I'm moving later this year. Pics

Gibson one-of-a-kind Florentine, circa 1934. This is undoubtedly the rarest prewar Gibson archtop banjo 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 different than on any other banjo. It also has one piece flange construction, which is found on only a few Florentines. See Four String banjos below. -- Pics

1929 Gibson TB-1 conversion. This was evidently a transitional model, with binding only on the bottom of the resonator. The original tenor neck has "The Gibson" on the peghead and just dot inlay. When I purchased the banjo, the finish was brown, which is not "correct" for a TB-1. The tension hoop is gray and dingy looking, but original. The flange was broken and I replaced it with a new "Gibson USA" flange. There was no armrest or tailpiece. I sent it to Clancy Mullins who made a new 5-string neck with Flying Eagle inlay. He stained it the correct color and did a beautiful job of refinishing the resonator to match. He also added top binding to the resonator and fit a Kulesh tone ring to the rim. If you are looking for a good prewar Gibson at a very reasonable price, and don't care that it isn't completely original, this might be just the ticket (1541). Pics

1929 Gibson TB-2. One piece flange. Very nice condition and 100% original. The flange is solid and not badly warped. It is pictured as a tenor, and it is available this way or with a new Florentine Special inlay neck built by Wyatt Fawley. Call for details if interested. Pics

1932 Gibson TB-2. One piece flange. As the pictures show, there is a lot of scratching on the resonator. The flange is solid and exceptionally flat. One resonator thumb screw is missing. We will sell it as a tenor, or will have a new 5-string neck made for it. Pics

1928 Gibson TB-3 Mastertone banjo with 40-hole archtop tone ring and tube & plate flange. The pot is original except for the tailpiece, a newer Presto that is missing the top cover. According to the person I obtained it from, the Hearts & Flowers neck was made in the 1970s by the famous John Monteleone. There is some wear on the first few frets. Overall it is a very nice banjo with a great sound. (1572) Pics

1929 Gibson TB-3. This might be the finest example you'll ever find. I bought it twenty years ago and it has been in the back of the shop ever since. You might look for years and never find a better one! 40-hole archtop with tube and plate flange. It is 100% original, except the skin head was replaced with a modern one. There are a few marks on the peghead, and a couple of minor scratches on the side and back of the resonator (which actually show up more in the pics than in person).

If you are looking for a bargain prewar archtop, this definitely isn't it. If you want the best, give me a call. Pics

1929 Gibson TB-3 Mastertone with 40-hole archtop tone ring and tube & plate flange. As the pictures show, the resonator has seen some hard use. However, it is a completely original and solid banjo. It has a new 5-string neck with diamonds and squares inlay, as did the original tenor neck (which is included with the banjo. The tailpiece is a new Presto,missing the top cover (1448). Pics

1930 Gibson TB-3 Mastertone banjo with 40-hole archtop tone ring and one piece flange. The pot is 100% original, including a skin head. The flange is pulled up, as is normal with banjos of this era. However it is very solid. It has a new 5-string neck with leaves and bows inlay made by Wyatt Fawley. You'll have trouble finding a nicer one piece flange style 3! (1411) Pics

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-string neck for it, made by Wyatt Fawley. Call for details if interested (1472). Pics

1925 Gibson TB-5 Conversion. The gold plated parts were replated many years ago, except for the tailpiece which is a prewar Granada; how it ended up on this banjo I'll never know. It still has the ball bearing tone ring, but I added a Mitchel's hoop which raises the outer edge of the head so it resonates over the same area as a flathead. It really sounds good! The walnut resonator appears to have been oversprayed some time in the past. The 5-string neck is excellent, and the original tenor neck goes to the new owner. Pics

1930s Gibson TB-11 with Tennessee 20 tone ring and new neck with fancy Florentine Special inlay, which we had finished to match the back of the resonator. The flange is solid but there are four cracks, which can be seen in the bottom pic (319). Pics

Gibson TB-11. 1930s. This is an exceptionally clean banjo, and I think you'd have a hard time finding a nicer one. The metal parts are bright, and the flange is practically flat. There is one small problem; there are two cracks in the flange, near the bottom, as can be seen in the picture. I doubt that this would ever be a problem, but the new owner might want to put a thin backing strip on the inside to add strength. Pics

Gibson TB-11. 1930s. This is a completely original one piece flange Gibson, with the following exceptions:the tab tuners were replaced with friction tuners; and it is missing the tailpiece and armrest. There is a very small (and hard to even see) crack in the flange, which doesn't affect stability in any way. And, it now has a fine crack in the back of the peghead, thanks to UPS. We will be glad to have a five string conversion neck made by First Quality Music, and will have the tone ring of your choice installed. Or, it may be purchased as a tenor. Call for details. -- Pics

1954 Gibson TB-100. One piece flange. The pot is original except for the tail piece.The metal parts are solid, with some rust on the brackets. We had a new 5-string neck made for it, and left the original archtop hoop tone ring. If the new owner so desires, we will have the tone ring of his or her preference installed. However, it sounds good as is, and is very light weight. (887) Pics

1963 Gibson TB-100. One piece flange. The pot is original except for the tail piece, and is in nice condition. It has a new Wreath pattern inlay 5-string neck and a JLS #12 tone ring. This is a very powerful banjo, at a very reasonable price! (947) Pics

1965 Gibson RB-100 in exceptionally nice condition. The only defect worth mentioning (and this is very minor) is a small area of roughness on the back of the neck in the area of the 7th fret. There is virtually no fret wear. Friction 5th string peg, as made. Hard shell case. Pics

Gibson Truett. Circa late 1930s. This plectrum banjo is identical to the Gibson Kel Kroydon KK-10, except for the name on the peghead. It has the standard Gibson one piece flange construction. Truett banjos are quite rare, and are seldom offered for sale at any price. If you collect prewar Gibsons, or just want a great banjo to convert to 5-string, this is a great choice. Nice condition throughout, and 100% original! See Four String banjos below. -- Pics

1980s Gold Star with archtop tone ring. Unlike most of the Japanese-made Gold Star banjos, which were maple wood with natural finish, this one is stained mahogany. Flying Eagle inlay. It is in really choice condition, with virtually no fret wear; obviously it was hardly played. These early Japanese-made banjos are really good instruments and should not be confused with the newer Gold Stars, which are not made in Japan. If you are looking for an archtop, this might be it! Pics

1982 Gold Star GF-100. Mahogany neck and resonator, with Flying Eagle inlay. This is one of the early Japanese-made banjos and should not be confused with the newer Gold Stars, which are not made in Japan. There are a few scuff marks on the back of the peghead and elsewhere which can be seen in the pics, and there a couple of very tiny (and very unnoticeable) screw holes in the side of the neck where a sliding capo was removed. There is wear on the first eight frets, and I just noticed that one of the truss rod cover screws is missing. Overall this is a pretty decent banjo, and probably a bargain on today's market. Pics

Imperial by Ty Piper. This walnut banjo, hand made during the 1970s by the well known Oklahoma luthier, has been upgraded with a Cox rim and Huber tone ring. It also has a Price tail piece. As might be expected, there is some fret wear; otherwise the banjo is in exceptionally nice condition. -- Pics

Ome 50th Anniversary. To commemorate their 50th year, Ome decided to produce twenty of these bluegrass banjos, plus twenty openbacks and ten tenors. This is the number one bluegrass model, and it is so marked. I asked Ome to build this one with gold plated and heavily engraved metal parts. As you can see, the resulting banjo is spectacular! It sold quickly and the buyer eventually traded it back for a prewar banjo he'd always wanted. The banjo is in absolutely like new condition, and even still has the original strings. Pics

2003 Ome Sweetgrass. Although ten years old, this maple banjo has hardly been played. There is just a hint of wear on the first couple of frets. There are no nicks, scratches, etc. on the neck and resonator. It is a really nice banjo! Pics

1989 Stelling Carolinian Deluxe. This rare model is made of cherry wood. According to Geoff Stelling, only about eight Carolinians were made. Two of those were the deluxe model, with a special dogwood flower engraving to match the engraved inlays. This is one of the two; the other one had gold plated engraved parts. Pics

Turtle Hill Bluegrass Woody. Maple neck and resonator. One piece flange, and a Tony Pass Thin Skirt rim and wooden tone ring. It also has a bound peghead and a radiused fingerboard. We sold this new and the buyer decided he wanted an openback banjo instead. Although technically used, it is virtually unplayed and in absolutely like new condition. Pics

1928 Vega #9 Artist Tubaphone with 5-string neck. Gold plated metal parts, with engraved flanges and tension hoop. The sides of the resonator are also engraved. The reproduction 5-string neck was made by Mike Ramsey, and has engraved inlays and a carved heel. The original tenor neck comes with the banjo, as do the original brackets and hooks and Ottenger tailpiece. This rare banjo is in excellent condition, and sounds great with the resonator on or off. Pics


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5 String Open Back Banjos

1960s Gibson RB-175 longneck banjo. It has a friction 5th string tuning peg, as made; the other tuners are geared. There is virtually no fret wear, and the banjo is in exceptionally nice condition. It comes with the original cheap chipboard case. Pics

1928 Vega #9 Artist Tubaphone with 5-string neck. Gold plated metal parts, with engraved flanges and tension hoop. The sides of the resonator are also engraved. The reproduction 5-string neck was made by Mike Ramsey, and has engraved inlays and a carved heel. The original tenor neck comes with the banjo, as do the original brackets and hooks and Ottenger tailpiece. This rare banjo is in excellent condition, and sounds great with the resonator on or off. Pics

1925 Vega Little Wonder. 10 15/16" pot. The new 5-string neck was built by by Scott Morgan. The pot is original, and although it shows that the banjo had plenty of hard use, it is solid. The brackets have been replaced with newer ones. There are four small screw holes on the bottom of the rim where a resonator was once attached. Pics

Vega Little Wonder. 1928. 10 15/16" pot. This banjo started life as a tenor. It now has a new 5-string neck made by Wyatt Fawley, with an engraved griffin inlay on the peghead. Pics

1921 Vega Style N. We had Wyatt Fawley build a new mahogany 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. Pics

1926 Vega Tubaphone. This banjo was converted from a tenor to a 5-string with a beautifully engraved flowerpot inlay neck built by Wyatt Fawley. The original Rogers skin head is in nice condition. Pics

1923 Vega Whyte Laydie. Somewhere along the line a 5-string neck was added. The arm rest isn't original. The metal parts are clean, but I can't say whether the brackets are newer replacements. It still has a Rogers skin head. Pics

Wildwood Longneck Troubador. This banjo was consigned to me by the original owner, who ordered it from Wildwood in the 1990s. He has kept it in beautiful condition, although it does have normal fret wear. It has a maple neck, fancy binding on the neck and rim, and a Tubaphone style tone ring. Custom features include a bracket band, two extra inlays on the fingerboard, and Grover guitar tuners. Hardshell case. If you've been looking for a really great longneck banjo, your wait is over! Pics


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Four String Banjos
(Tenor unless otherwise specified)

Gibson Truett. Circa late 1930s. This plectrum banjo is identical to the Gibson Kel Kroydon KK-10, except for the name on the peghead. It has the standard Gibson one piece flange construction. Truett banjos are quite rare, and are seldom offered for sale at any price. If you collect prewar Gibsons, or just want a great banjo to convert to 5-string, this is a great choice. Nice condition throughout, and 100% original! -- Pics

1929 Gibson TB-2. One piece flange. Very nice condition and 100% original. The flange is solid and not badly warped. We will have a new 5-string neck made for it, and will have the tone ring of the purchaser's preference installed, if wanted. Call for details if interested. Pics

1932 Gibson TB-2. One piece flange. As the pictures show, there is a lot of scratching on the resonator. The flange is solid and exceptionally flat. One resonator thumb screw is missing. We will sell it as a tenor, or will have a new 5-string neck made for it. Pics

Gibson TB-11. 1930s. This is an exceptionally clean banjo, and I think you'd have a hard time finding a nicer one. The metal parts are bright, and the flange is practically flat. There is one small problem; there are two cracks in the flange, near the bottom, as can be seen in the picture. I doubt that this would ever be a problem, but the new owner might want to put a thin backing strip on the inside to add strength. Pics

Gibson TB-11. 1930s. This is a completely original one piece flange Gibson, with the following exceptions:the tab tuners were replaced with friction tuners; and it is missing the tailpiece and armrest. We will be glad to have a five string conversion neck made by First Quality Music, and will have the tone ring of your choice installed. Or, it may be purchased as a tenor. Call for details. -- Pics

Gibson one-of-a-kind Florentine, circa 1934. This is undoubtedly the rarest prewar Gibson archtop banjo 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 different than on any other banjo. It also has one piece flange construction, which is found on only a few Florentines. -- Pics

1932 Gibson TB-3. One piece flange, with 40-hole archtop tone ring. As the pics show, there is a lot of scratching and scuffing on the resonator. However, the banjo is 100% original. The flange is slightly pulled up (way less than most) and very solid. The heel of the neck has a repaired crack, which is of no importance, since the new owner will no doubt have a 5-string neck made (we can have a neck made by Wyattt Fawley, if so desired). Pics

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. The original tenor neck has a repaired heel crack. We will have a new 5-string neck made for it, if the new owner so desires. Call for details if interested. Pics


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