beegee - Posted - 11/20/2009:  11:44:35

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I just had a phone call from a dealer friend who informed me that two of his dealer friends have bought "original" Tb-1's and 2's this week(internet deals) that have turned out to be total fake pots using original Gibson tenor necks.

Just a heads-up in case you're considering such a purchase. Be careful...

Mike Casey - Posted - 11/20/2009:  11:55:06

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Beegee,
Any idea where these deals are coming from? It sounds like a new scam and probably coming from somewhere outside the U.S.

snakeherd - Posted - 11/20/2009:  12:04:03

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With the number of cast-off tenor necks in the world, this could become a real growth industry, unfortunately.

beegee - Posted - 11/20/2009:  12:07:42

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One was a purchase by a Florida dealer. Don't know where the other dealer is located, nor where the deals originated. These guys are knowledgeable and the banjos were represented as originals. Once in hand, the forgeries were obvious, including the rim decals. I'll do a little fishing to see if I can find more details.

It's easy to be less suspicious the lower-end banjos because we usually don't see them as prime conversion candidates as opposed to the upper line Gibsons. With increasing interest in the 1's and 2's due to the high prices of the 3's, 75's, 4's Granadas etc, the forgers are working that market, it seems.

Lord knows, there are plenty of tenor necks around.

bearface - Posted - 11/20/2009:  12:38:11

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i wouldnt buy one off of ebay unless i could see it before paying for it.i could have gotten one 50 to 100 bucks cheaper on on ebay but i bought from bernunzios because they are established and have a good reputation .sometimes cheaper isnt the way to go

steve davis - Posted - 11/20/2009:  13:09:28

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2s have always been very popular conversions with their beautiful figured walnut resonators and 4 lugs.
I was so lucky to get mine just before the E Bay scare and had handled and seen this one since 1975.
I noticed their prices go into the thousands and started to wonder when someone would counterfeit the tenors.

I paid $600 for mine in '98.Who would bother to copy a $600 tenor?

banjobrotheroz - Posted - 11/20/2009:  14:43:44

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Why do you say its a scam from outside tne U.S.

quote:

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Originally posted by Mike Casey

Beegee,
Any idea where these deals are coming from? It sounds like a new scam and probably coming from somewhere outside the U.S.

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banjobrotheroz - Posted - 11/20/2009:  14:45:07

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Why do you say its a scam from outside tne U.S.

quote:

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Originally posted by Mike Casey

Beegee,
Any idea where these deals are coming from? It sounds like a new scam and probably coming from somewhere outside the U.S.

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NYCJazz - Posted - 11/20/2009:  15:19:00

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Maybe its some tenor player with a sick sense of humor.

This will simply drive the demand for Gibson tenor necks thru the roof!

smoky - Posted - 11/20/2009:  15:23:48

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I was following a TB-1 on EBay a few days ago or so. I think the buy-it-now was $1000. Perhaps it was one of these!! And I told my wife it would be help my banjo collection addiction problem!! Thanks for the heads up BeeGee.

justryin2play - Posted - 11/20/2009:  16:02:18

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Maybe they read somewhere that these make the best pre-war conversions, and therefore folks will want them for that purpose.

plunka5 - Posted - 11/20/2009:  17:52:33

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quote:

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Originally posted by NYCJazz

Maybe its some tenor player with a sick sense of humor.

This will simply drive the demand for Gibson tenor necks thru the roof!

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What's so bad is this creates havoc for tenor players and those that convert!

steve davis - Posted - 11/20/2009:  18:11:18

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I have a nice 2 neck and case if anyone has plans.

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Edited by - steve davis on 11/20/2009 18:11:43

TB-2 - Posted - 11/21/2009:  08:00:42

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The walnut on the resonators of the 2s is very distinctive. I haven't seen anything available now that looks like it.

TB-2 - Posted - 11/21/2009:  08:00:55

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The walnut on the resonators of the 2s is very distinctive. I haven't seen anything available now that looks like it.