|
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
2005 Gibson RB-3 with wreath inlay. Mahogany. This banjo is in excellent condition,
with very little fret wear. There are some minor scuff marks
on the peghead, which can be seen in the pics. These really don't
detract, in my opinion, and are mentioned for the sake of accuracy.
Pics
1929 Gibson TB-1.
One piece flange. This banjo is in exceptionally nice condition
in all respects and is 100% original, including the skin head.
The flange is beautiful! We are having a new 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
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
1925 Gibson TB-3
with ball bearing archtop ring. This is a nice banjo in all respects,
and is 100% original except for the tailpiece, which is a new
Presto, and the head. There are some wear marks on the resonator,
as can be seen in the pics, but less than are found on most banjos
of this era. We are having a new 5-string neck made to match
the original, including the word "Mastertone" in the
peghead (1925 was the only year this was done). Pics
1929 Gibson TB-3 Mastertone
banjo with 40-hole archtop tone ring. As the pictures show, the
resonator has seen some hard use. However, it is a completely
original banjo, including the Presto tailpiece and tuners. The
armrest is the type made to activate an armrest mute. It came
from the factory that way, but the actual mute mechanism was
removed some time in the past. A new 5-string neck would turn
this into a wonderful bluegrass banjo. 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. 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
Gibson TB-11 conversion. We recently acquired two of these banjos with
Flying Eagle 5-string necks and flathead tone rings. They are
great sounding banjos and are available at reasonable prices.
If you have been looking for a prewar Gibson, these are bargains
compared to new banjos. I haven't taken pics yet, but if interested
give me a call for an in-hand description.
1954 Gibson TB-100. One piece flange. This banjo is 100% original
and in nice condition. The metal parts are solid, with some rust
on the brackets. We will have a new 5-string neck made for it
and, if the new owner so desires, will have the tone ring of
his or her preference installed. Pics
1980 Gibson RB-250. Mahogany neck and resonator. Tube and plate flange.
This banjo is in really outstanding condition, with just a tiny
bit of wear on the first few frets. I doubt that it has been
played much, and it hasn't even had capo spikes installed. The
only negative I see is some fret roughness along the edge on
the first string side; I imagine this is as made and could be
easily smoothed down by a repairman. 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
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 fret wear; otherwise the banjo is in exceptionally
nice condition. -- Pics
Nechville Phantom Custom Archtop. I ordered this banjofrom Nechville in 2001 for
a friend. It is made of maple with natural finish and walnut
binding. The peghead is bound. And, it has a prewar Gibson 40-hole
archtop tone ring, which I supplied to Nechville. Other than
the expected fret wear, it is in absolutely mint condition. It
is a stunning banjo (the pictures really don't do it justice),
and the next owner will be thrilled. Pics
1980 Stelling Bellflower. Very nice condition. It has a bound peghead, which
Stelling now puts only on the more expensive models. There is
a very small spot of finish gone from the back of the neck near
the heel, and a couple of scuff marks on the side of the resonator.
There is practically no fret wear, suggesting that the banjo
hasn't been played much. Pics
On Hold |
