BTuno - Posted - 09/23/2011:  10:28:39

           It is commonly stated on the www and in various print articles, that the first Gibson banjos were marketed and sold in 1918.  These tenor banjos (TBs) had a 15-fret neck with a paddle-shaped headstock, and a hollow 12 in. open-back rim.  However, these first TBs did not appear in any Gibson catalog. The introduction of the Gibson TB was first shown on a Gibson Price List from October 15, 1918.  It listed a TB and GB (Guitar Banjo).  That same month, an advertisement appeared in the trade magazine 'The Cadenza'.  It touted a "New Creation", and included a detailed description and drawing of the TB.  Shortly thereafter, other advertisements appeared in the Jacobs Band Monthly in March, and April of 1919.  The latter ad also stated …"new banjos". 

            The language used in these ads leaves little doubt that the TB was first marketed and introduced in 1918.  But exactly when they were actually constructed is not know.  Production likely started well before the banjos were marketed and advertised.  However, there does not appear to be any hard evidence or documentation of when Gibson actually produced the TBs.  Below are two pieces of information that may provide some clues about early Gibson TB production. 

            1902 Patent.  The 1918 Cadenza ad for the Gibson TB included the statement, "Patented December 9th, 1902".  That patent (No. 715,587), was issued to Victor Kraske of Chicago Il., for a 5-string banjo.  But, the hollow rim construction, tubular bracket hoop, and machined "shoulder or offset" to hold the bracket hoop, are exactly those found on the TB.  Interestingly, Kraske apparently worked at Gibson between 1910 and 1926, during the time the TBs were released in 1918.  Sixteen years elapsed between the Kraske patent and the release of the TBs.  How and when did Gibson acquire the rights to the patent?  What was the sequence of events and decisions that lead to the production and release of the TBs in 1918?   

            3-Digit FONs.  All of the earliest Gibson TBs had 3-digit Factory Order Numbers (FONs) prominently stamped on the side of the dowel stick. I have compiled a list of 3-digit banjo family instruments (TB, MB, GB), from all available sources, including 24 such instruments from the www and music stores since 2008.  There are currently 38, 3-digit banjo family instruments documented, including 29 TBs.

            I had noted a couple years ago that Gibson mandolins and guitars from 1904-1910 also had 3-digit FONs.  Out of curiosity, I combined my 3-digit banjo family list with a listing of all known Gibson 3-digit mandolins and guitars from before 1910, which formed a list of 77, 3-digit instruments.  Examination of this combined list revealed that there is no duplication or overlap in FONs for banjos, mandolins, or guitars.  Together they form an incomplete sequence of FONs ranging between 101 and 927. 

            From the above, we now know that: 

• 
  The design of the rim used in the TBs was patented in 1902.


• 
  Based on 77 early 3-digit Gibson instruments currently documented, the 3-digit FONs on the early TBs, mandolins and guitars do not overlap or duplicate.


• 
  Victor Kraske began working for Gibson in 1910.


• 
  Gibson introduced the TBs in 1918. 

 

            Even considered together these facts do not lead to any firm conclusions about TB production.  Therefore, the following discussion is purely speculative on my part.  There is currently no documentation to support the actual events either way, but is sure is interesting, and inevitably leads to more questions than they answer.  Here are three possible scenarios:

            1) New FON series.  Gibson may have simply begun a new 3-digit FON series specifically for banjos around 1918.  Thus, the non-overlapping 3-digit FONs on banjos and other instruments may be a coincidence.  As recently detailed by Joe Spann, Gibson became notorious for such inexplicable FON changes in subsequent years.  If Gibson did restart a 3-digit FONs series just for banjos, when did they actually produce them?  Interestingly, Gibson banjos changed back to the 5-digit FONs for banjos by 1920, similar to the FONs on mandolin and guitar of that time. 

            2)  Unused FONs.  Perhaps Gibson filled-in unused 3-digit FONs from the pre-1910 series for TBs produced sometime in the years prior to 1918.

            3) Contemporaneous production with mandolins and guitars.   Could Gibson have started making banjos around 1904 contemporaneously with mandolins and guitars?  The lack of any duplication or overlap of banjo FONs with mandolins and guitars from before 1910 is very interesting and compelling.  Although 8.5 % of the possible 900 instruments produced are documented, instruments with overlapping FONs may yet be discovered.  If contemporaneous production is true, why did they wait until 1918 to introduce the TB?  Was early production outsourced to Kraske around 1904?  How was the timing of TB production and introduction influenced by the concurrent jazz craze and creation of tenor banjos by other companies?  Perhaps Gibson hired Kraske's (with his banjos) in order to jump into that market. 

            In conclusion, the actual chronology of production of the first Gibson banjos and the events that relate the 1902 patent, the 3-digit FONs, and the 1918 release of the TBs are unknown. Obviously, much more information is needed.  Additional records and documents may provide new information, if they exist.  Any  information about the following would be gratefully received:  

• 
  3-digit TB FONs that duplicate mandolin or guitar 3-digit FONs


• 
  Patent transfer documents between Kraske and Gibson


• 
  Gibson factory records related to TB production, shipping, repair, etc.


• 
  Patent dates for Gibson TB banjo parts


• 
  Parts suppliers sales record to Gibson (heads, hardware, etc.)

gansen - Posted - 09/23/2011:  12:21:42

I find this interesting thou I don't know much factualy maybe I can give some perspective. Gibson only started as a company in 1872 or 1894, I've read a few diff. dates but one way or another it was at the end of the 19th centry. First years he produced only a few mandolins. In 1902 he incorperated with the help of a few backers. I think I've read by 1904 Orville, the founder was leaving the company. One can assume if the founder is leaving it was a rough start up. One must also take into account this had to be a small company at the time, not the giant we know and love today. One would also assume the new management in 1904 was looking to exspand there share of the market and most likely hired Cadenza to obtain use of his pats. We know this happened in 1910. Shortly after the first great war would have started and sales of items such as musical instruments would have declined. That would have been 1914 so perhaps some protypes would have been made by then. I would assume production of all instruments would have been low enough that they would not of needed seperate FON numbering systems. I would also assume they would have started the number system at 101 as to try to hide the fact they had not made many instruments, just like people starting there check numbers higher so it don't appear to be a new account. Porsche did this as well with auto designs to give them more validity as a new company. The release date of 1918 is not a surprise as WW I ended in March of the year and many soilders were already returning with spare cash from there time in service but lack of places to spend it, no stores in the trenches. I find it interesting how the tenor banjo boomed during these good years and dropped off after the stock market crash. In fact the tone of the banjo changed as the mood of the american way of life darkend.

Klondike Waldo - Posted - 09/23/2011:  14:33:20

quote:

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Originally posted by gansen

snipThe release date of 1918 is not a surprise as WW I ended in March of the year and many soilders were already returning with spare cash from there time in service but lack of places to spend it, no stores in the trenches. I find it interesting how the tenor banjo boomed during these good years and dropped off after the stock market crash. In fact the tone of the banjo changed as the mood of the american way of life darkend.

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It would be a surprise to many that the Great War ended in March, 1918 rather than with the Armistice of 11 November

gansen - Posted - 09/23/2011:  15:14:10

March something was the treaty of Brest-Litovsk, between Russia and Germany. The first of many treaties signifiing the end of the war. Yes Nov. 11 was the offical end of the war. There was a few end dates in wwI. Heck the Pairis peace conferance didn't take place till the summer of 1919.