dspainters - Posted - 02/11/2014:  16:26:46

looking to buy a tb3 ser#8049-4x any thoughts.. all  original ex condition with original case.. price 3000 thanks for any info  dave

Edited by - dspainters on 02/11/2014 18:25:16

Dave1climber - Posted - 02/11/2014:  16:46:53

The serial number that you list would seem to indicate that it is a 1925.

banjophiles.com/SerNumData/8XXX.htm

Does the outer ring have holes?

A TB3 should be a Mastertone with a Ball Bearing tone ring.  A Ball Bearing tone ring will have sixty holes in it.

More information here:

siminoff.net/pages/gibson_rim_...tion.html

Dave

dspainters - Posted - 02/11/2014:  16:53:37

picture

revellfa - Posted - 02/11/2014:  16:56:12

Worth every penny IMHO. These Ball Bearings are fantastic and are original pre-war Gibson Mastertone banjos. Can't go wrong. And the sound is out of this world--when set up properly.

dspainters - Posted - 02/11/2014:  17:00:23

thank you for your info ,i have a couple of bacons but I like that Gibson.....

BanjoLink - Posted - 02/11/2014:  17:02:33

To me that is at the very top of the price range - would have to be in excellent condition!

bnlholic - Posted - 02/11/2014:  17:03:58

That serial number would identify it as a 1925 Ball bearing rim.  The ball bearing rims have a tone all their own.  I have one that I had converted to 5 string by Gibson when they were still in Kalamazoo 39 years ago.  I kept the ball bearing rim intact.  The tone ring is supported on ball bearings that are on springs.  One thing you can do with these rims (1925 and 1926 only) is adjust the action to an extent by adjusting the bracket nuts.  The head tension is maintained by the 24 springs in the rim, unless, of course, you tighten the bracket nuts to the point where the tone ring is pulled against wood.  You loosen the bracket nuts and the result is the action is higher.  I know, I've done this.  Once, when I was about to play my banjo, the action was such that I was getting buzzing.  I removed the resonator and backed off the bracket nuts by half a turn.  That was sufficient to get rid of the buzzing.

Best wishes.

Dan

gdoc - Posted - 02/11/2014:  17:34:03

I couldn't tell from the picture, too small, if it has "mastertone" on the peghead in pearl?  Are you planning on converting it to a 5 string?

gdoc - Posted - 02/11/2014:  17:40:01

As stated above, the 25 will have shotgun holes in the hoop, but keep in mind, Gibson did not always stick to one rule.  I have a 25 without the shotgun holes.

The tonering on the 25 is scalloped where the 26 is not.  (again don't hold your breath if you find an occansional variation.  Also Mastertone written in pearl on the peghead.  But those are the basic standards.

dspainters - Posted - 02/11/2014:  18:21:47

quote: not sure yet leaning towards it

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Originally posted by gdoc

I couldn't tell from the picture, too small, if it has "mastertone" on the peghead in pearl?  Are you planning on converting it to a 5 string?

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The Old Timer - Posted - 02/11/2014:  18:22:44

I'm sure it's a beauty, but tenors sell for less usually, and there are PLENTY of them. It's not like they're really rare, they were the most common Mastertone. Nowadays you can buy one in fine condition with a tenor neck AND conversion 5 string neck for $3000 or just a little more. What makes you want to buy it for $3000? Have you played it, and you just love it and have to have it? Do you want to spend $1000+ more for a quality 5 string conversion neck?

Or do you just think a 1925 TB 3 is something rare you need to jump to buy?

dspainters - Posted - 02/11/2014:  18:23:17

quote: posted the only picture i have so far

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Originally posted by Dave1climber

The serial number that you list would seem to indicate that it is a 1925.

banjophiles.com/SerNumData/8XXX.htm

Does the outer ring have holes?

A TB3 should be a Mastertone with a Ball Bearing tone ring.  A Ball Bearing tone ring will have sixty holes in it.

More information here:

siminoff.net/pages/gibson_rim_...tion.html

Dave

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REarl - Posted - 02/11/2014:  20:48:24

I have never played a Ball Bearing tone ring TB-3, some people seem to really like them. However, I think that $3000 is a touch high, I have seen PB-3's from this period at under $2500. I have also seen 1927 and 1928 TB-3's in good shape with two piece flange and a cast ring for $3000. If you have $3000 to spend I would suggest looking for one of those. But maybe the prices have been going up and I haven't noticed it.

dspainters - Posted - 02/12/2014:  04:36:30

thanks everyone for the help not sure what im going to buy yet maybe a silver bell or tb3 ...

revellfa - Posted - 02/12/2014:  04:56:25

The asking price of the ball bearings has been going up lately. And IMHO rightfully so they are great banjos. I happen to like them more than the archtops from the same period because they are more versatile in sound. You can set them up in a variety of ways. I disagree about adjusting the head tension to get the right action though. In my experience you need to get the head tension exactly right before setting up the rest of the banjo. Ball Bearings are very touchy in this regard--get the right head tension and they will sound as good if not better than anything out there--get it wrong and it will sound terrible. It is a very delicate balance.

NYCJazz - Posted - 02/12/2014:  09:01:52

You'll get much more for your buck with a Silver Bell. Especially if you're looking for a tenor.

For $3K or thereabouts you should be able to find a nice #3

Beautiful to look at & to play.

dspainters - Posted - 02/12/2014:  09:30:21

quote: that what i thought thanks

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Originally posted by NYCJazz

You'll get much more for your buck with a Silver Bell. Especially if you're looking for a tenor.

For $3K or thereabouts you should be able to find a nice #3

Beautiful to look at & to play.

 

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dspainters - Posted - 02/12/2014:  15:36:54

I would like say thank you all here for your help on my thread, I have made up my mind and going to stick with the BACON & DAYS im going to look for a 1927 silver bell I just like the bacons ...thanks again for all your help.....dave