beezaboy - Posted - 06/19/2012:  04:22:29

I was thinking about bidding on this Banjo for it's "historic" value:

cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...nk:top:en 

Gibson's first banjos were made in 1918.  According to the image in The Cadenza announcing Gibson's new tenor banjo the first ones had 15 fret necks like this ebay example.

I can't figure out how to confirm the vintage of this ebay banjo from Spann's guide which uses FON not serial number.

Is this banjo really 1918 and is it all orginal is my question??

RioStat - Posted - 06/19/2012:  04:46:33

Forget Ebay, this thing is for sale here at the Hangout. There was a discussion / thread about this last week, with the seller chiming in about this and another early Gibson he has for sale.

banjohangout.org/classified/29113

beezaboy - Posted - 06/19/2012:  07:31:29

Thanks.  I can't find the thread.  Is this banjo all original and from 1918??

RioStat - Posted - 06/19/2012:  08:59:33

Here's one thread...thought there was a more involved discussion, but I can't find it.

banjohangout.org/topic/238307

Joe Spann - Posted - 06/19/2012:  09:31:46

John (Beezaboy) said, " can't figure out how to confirm the vintage of this ebay banjo from Spann's guide which uses FON not serial number.

Is this banjo really 1918 and is it all orginal is my question??"

John,

Check out page 190 of my book. In my opinion the Gibson banjos with serial numbers are 1919-1920 vintage.

Joe

beezaboy - Posted - 06/19/2012:  10:30:25

Hey, Joe!  Wow talk about personal service!!  Thanks.  The ebay (and BHO) banjo most probably 1919-1920, then.  Makes sense.  In the Cadenza ad announcing the first Gibson TB in 1918 I'm pretty sure the head size was not a big old 12" model.  I have one of your signed and dated copies acquired right here through BHO thread when your book was coming out last year.  - but you can't control your books going to guys like me who move their lips when reading.

John

BTuno - Posted - 06/19/2012:  13:38:20

Beez, et al.    The TB for sale is owned by a loyal BHOer and is the real deal.... an original 1918 TB, with a 12" hollow rim!   

See this link for a discussion of Gibson TB FONs:    banjohangout.org/archive/216367 .

Recall that I sent you an expanded piece on these banjos last year, in exchange for a copy of the Cadenza article.   I'm almost done with a full article about those first banjos.   The 3 digit FON numbers on the TBs are NOT serial numbers.  They are Gibson FONs that were not included in Joe's book.  

While Gibson marketed and released the TBs in 1918,  I don't think anyone knows the exact chronology of when the TBs were actually manufactured, or by whom.   But I include a compelling hypotheses in the article in the absence of  firm evidence.   

beezaboy - Posted - 06/19/2012:  14:28:13

Bruce - I do now remember your research into the first Gibson banjos.  Thanks.  I do not have the Cadenza Gibson ad before me right now but I did not remember the rim being as large as 12"?

xnavyguy - Posted - 06/19/2012:  20:16:40

I have a friend, a fellow picker here in Austin who owns a slightly later vintage TB ca. 1919.  Serial number 803, was appraised by Gruhn's in 2007 for $1500.  It is in mint condition and fitted with a plastic head.  It is 12" with the hollow edged rim.