Piper2012 - Posted - 10/13/2016:  05:42:22

I have a friend with a banjo he played in school in the early 40's and wondered if anyone could help identify it, we haven't found any markings. Looks & plays great - looking for a source for value and then a new home.... There are some additional photos available on the Blog page. I can also provide a few more if anyone has a clue for me (or knows of a good home for this banjo)! Also, as a side note, same friends have a beautiful 1902 Story & Clark upright piano available. Thanks in advance to anyone that may provide information & education on the banjo.

Edited by - Piper2012 on 10/13/2016 14:28:20

Bob Smakula - Posted - 10/13/2016:  05:57:09

It looks like a lower model Gibson. It's worth removing the resonator by loosening the thumb screws. If there is not a Gibson decal inside, there will likely be a Factory Order Number stamped in the rim that can help ID the year it was made. 

Post pics of the number and decal if they are there. There will be plenty of folks chiming in on the details.

Bob Smakula

Smakula.com

Fathand - Posted - 10/13/2016:  06:16:41

Appears to be a TB1 about 1927. I don't think tailpiece is original. Value $500-$800 depending on condition. Serial # from inside rim would help.

Shop the Folk - Posted - 10/13/2016:  06:48:30

22 brackets?

Culloden - Posted - 10/13/2016:  07:32:49

quote:

---

Originally posted by Shop the Folk

 

22 brackets?

---

Yes. Many of the lower end Gibsons that had bracket shoes and plate flange had 22 brackets, especially the hex hole flanges.

Notice the 18 frets. Unusual number for a tenor banjo but numerous Gibsons were made with that many, especially in the earlier years.

Also, the tailpiece might be original. I have seen Gibson tenors with the cloud tailpiece before. Providing that this banjo turns out to be Gibson made which it sure seems to be.

revellfa - Posted - 10/13/2016:  08:32:14

I'm going to chime in and say given the headstock, the tailpiece, the lack of a truss rod, the single bound resonator and the number of frets that this is in fact a "budget brand" Gibson model in the spirit of the Oriole banjos but perhaps rebranded (or not branded at all.)  The Oriole was made from about 1925 up through the 1940s I believe.

It may or may not have a Factory Order Number or Serial Number and if it is a budget brand Gibson it likely won't have any sticker inside. 

The flange and resonator were kind of rare for that model but some did have them.   

As for value the resonator model makes it more valuable and the overall value will depend on if it is a thicker rim (3/4 inch) rather than a thinner rim (5/8 inch).  My suspicion is that because it has the resonator and flange, it is a bit higher end model and likely has a steel tone hoop and a thicker rim. 

I'd like to have some more pics and might be interested in a purchase myself.

Edited by - revellfa on 10/13/2016 08:41:41