550Spyder - Posted - 07/03/2014:  16:36:32

I have a TB00 that appears to have a thick rim although I'm not clear on the actual definition.

This particular TB00 may have been made between 1940-1944 according to Joe Spann's book however the number on the back of the headstock is not preceded by an "E".  The rim measures 0.588-0.590" below the flange and seems to be consistent with later TB11s.  Is it thick or thin?

The Old Timer - Posted - 07/03/2014:  16:49:39

That would be "relatively" thick. The "thin" ones are a bit under 1/2" and unsuitable to mount a tone ring.

I think. I am not an expert on TB 00s.

bryantde - Posted - 07/03/2014:  19:23:10

quote:

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Originally posted by jgraff

I have a TB00 that appears to have a thick rim although I'm not clear on the actual definition.

This particular TB00 may have been made between 1940-1944 according to Joe Spann's book however the number on the back of the headstock is not preceded by an "E".  The rim measures 0.588-0.590" below the flange and seems to be consistent with later TB11s.  Is it thick or thin?

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Yes Paul that would be a thick rim style 00.

I would be interested in buying it if you want to sell it.

Don Bryant in NC

550Spyder - Posted - 07/03/2014:  19:51:23

Thanks Dick & Don. 

There are some different things about this one.  For example, the nuts on the flat hooks are like what you typically see in the 50/60's.  Not sure if they are original but I see other 00s on Greg Earnest's site that have the same type.  The resonator L brackets look right but are thinner (~0.050") than others I've seen (~0.070").  Basically everything looks correct though including the Kluson tuners.

bryantde - Posted - 07/03/2014:  20:01:48

quote:

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Originally posted by jgraff

Thanks Dick & Don. 

There are some different things about this one.  For example, the nuts on the flat hooks are like what you typically see in the 50/60's.  Not sure if they are original but I see other 00s on Greg Earnest's site that have the same type.  The resonator L brackets look right but are thinner (~0.050") than others I've seen (~0.070").  Basically everything looks correct though including the Kluson tuners.

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Paul,

I have a 1939 style 11 tenor that I built 5 string neck for and it has the serial number on back of peghead with E prefix.

It came with the same nuts on it like the bowtie banjers of the 50s and 60s as well as real thin cheezy L brackets that look like someone made in their garage.

I took off all the 24 hooks and nuts as well as L brackets thinking they were not original to banjo and purchased a set of prewar hooks and nuts from Melvin Cumbee and they weren't cheap as I recall.  Then I bought a set of correct prewar L brackets from Jim Mills all in and effort to get it period correct.

Then later on I saw 2 different blue late 30s style -11 banjers go off on Ebay and low and behold they both had the short nuts like was on mine as well as the thin L brackets.........so I figured mine was original after all and put them all back on my -11.

I printed out the pics of the 2  other style -11s and put in my case for future reference is case someone question the originality of that hardware.

By the way, Curtis McPeake calls those late 30s early 40s thin L brackets "Price Albert L brackets" cause they look like they were made from a Prince Albert smoking tobacco can!

Take Care Paul

I am finishing up a close duplicate style 00 neck for that style 00 tenor I got from you and built 2 of them at same time and if you sell me the other 00 I would have a neck ready to go on it!

Don

Edited by - bryantde on 07/03/2014 20:05:12

Banjorb3 - Posted - 07/04/2014:  07:42:43

I have a beautiful thick rim TB-00 from 1941.  It too has the short nuts and thin reso L brackets.  

550Spyder - Posted - 07/04/2014:  08:10:53

very interesting.  It's nice to learn something new every day.  thx