sonnyjammer - Posted - 09/30/2016:  08:34:50

Good day mates,  I am relatively new to this site, so bear with me if I violate protocols.  I have been offered for purchase, a 1926 Gibson banjo with a sn 8324-11.  and as best I can find out, it is 1926 PB-3 .... (correct me if I am wrong) ... The original neck  is long gone, but replaced with a 1970 RB-250 5 string neck with Waverly and Keith D tuners ... the headstock was broken years ago, and very well repaired. the playability is very good, no buzzes or other unwanted characteristics.  I haven't a clue what a fair price for this cool banjo would be..... I don't have pictures until maybe next week.... Any input from the loyalists here would be welcome... Thanks,, sonny

Edited by - sonnyjammer on 09/30/2016 09:14:41

Fathand - Posted - 09/30/2016:  09:16:34

With the neck change, you may want someone to check the pot to confirm that all the pieces are there. A PB3 uses a Ball Bearing Tone ring which uses about 100 parts, i.e  48 washers, 24 Ball Bearings, 24 Springs, tone ring and skirt.  A broken and repaired  70's TB Neck has little value past the tuners. I have never heard of D tuners on a 4 string (TB)neck before.

Banjophiles list 8324 series as originally GB3, 6 string Guitar Banjos. 

Old Hickory - Posted - 09/30/2016:  10:44:25

He said it's an RB-250 neck.  The banjo has been converted to 5-string.  A broken and well-repaired 70s RB-250 neck certainly has some value. 

If the original neck is gone, then price-wise it probably makes no difference whether the pot started as a PB, GB or TB.  There's a converted TB-3 in the Hangout Classifieds for $2950 (US).  There's an unconverted TB-3 for $2200 (US).  I'd try to get the one you're looking at for somewhere in between.  I do think there's a bit of value in this banjo being converted with an actual Gibson neck.  But the repair detracts from that.

Edited by - Old Hickory on 09/30/2016 10:45:06

dhergert - Posted - 09/30/2016:  10:47:23

Hi Sonny,

Most Style 3 Ballbearings that I've seen lately here in the USA have retailed in the $2000 "plus" (US) side; how much "plus" depending on originality, condition and the neck(s) that are included in the deal.  For example Carter's has a '25 Style 3 Ballbearing with an original tenor neck for $2350...  Other examples are around on the web.

Most of us 5-string players/collectors who value original Ballbearings appreciate the presence of the original neck as part of the deal when the banjo has been converted to 5-string.  That way the converted banjo can be brought back into original condition, meaning in a collector's market it can be advertised as original assuming that nothing else has been changed.  That adds to the value.

If in fact the Ballbearing you're looking at has an original 1970s RB-250 neck, that's a mild "plus" since it is a Gibson neck, albeit from a very different era.  The peghead break may or may not be a problem depending on how well the repair was done and how noticeable it is.

I'd say if you like the sound and playability of this old Mastertone, it sounds like a nice banjo to have.

-- Don

P.S.  Ooops, stepped on Ken as I was writing this.  What he said, too .

Edited by - dhergert on 09/30/2016 10:48:46

Fathand - Posted - 09/30/2016:  10:57:29

quote:

---

Originally posted by Old Hickory

 

He said it's an RB-250 neck.  The banjo has been converted to 5-string.  A broken and well-repaired 70s RB-250 neck certainly has some value. 

If the original neck is gone, then price-wise it probably makes no difference whether the pot started as a PB, GB or TB.  There's a converted TB-3 in the Hangout Classifieds for $2950 (US).  There's an unconverted TB-3 for $2200 (US).  I'd try to get the one you're looking at for somewhere in between.  I do think there's a bit of value in this banjo being converted with an actual Gibson neck.  But the repair detracts from that.

---

The original post said TB 250 neck and has since been edited. I agree an RB250 neck has more value.

The Old Timer - Posted - 09/30/2016:  12:32:40

In the US, the ball bearing TB 3 is probably the single most common "old" Mastertone out there. I've seen them listed on line at vintage dealers as low as $1600.

A BROKEN/REPAIRED late 1960s RB 250 neck is not such a great value. The heel fit on it would be completely different than a ball bearing neck, so HOPEFULLY someone did some cutting on it to fit it properly. I'm even suspicious of the lag bolts fitting properly into the rim. The original ball bearing tenor lag bolts had much smaller diameter screw threaded end than banjos from even later in the 1920s, so perhaps the coordinator rods had to be changed, or worse, reamed out somehow for the lag bolts of a post 1928 neck.

There are so many whole ball bearing 3s with really good quality proper repro necks, that I wouldn't advise anyone I know to buy the one you're describing for a penny over $2000, and it had better have a decent case at that. Getting a proper neck is going to cost you around $1000.

Now if you love the banjo as is, go for it. But always consider someday you may want to resell it. This would be a tough resell I think.

sonnyjammer - Posted - 09/30/2016:  12:45:18

Thanks very much for the input, Sounds like the seller and I are below value on our estimates. He's a good friend, just want to make sure it is a good deal for both of us. The owner before him is a locally famous player and a very straight up honorable guy and says the pot is all original and all there.... so guess I'll be buyin a banjo.

dhergert - Posted - 09/30/2016:  12:48:08

Hmmm, the current OP talks about a 1970s RB250 neck; that would be a 3-piece neck, fiddle headstock and most importantly, with a tube-and-plate heel cut.  So it should work with -- or at least be pretty close to working with -- the tube-and-plate flange that a Ballbearing would have.  You're absolutely right about 1960s necks, they should have one-piece-flange heel cuts.

-- Don

quote:

---

Originally posted by The Old Timer

...The heel fit on it would be completely different than a ball bearing neck, so HOPEFULLY someone did some cutting on it to fit it properly. I'm even suspicious of the lag bolts fitting properly into the rim. The original ball bearing tenor lag bolts had much smaller diameter screw threaded end than banjos from even later in the 1920s, so perhaps the coordinator rods had to be changed, or worse, reamed out somehow for the lag bolts of a post 1928 neck.

...

 

---

Edited by - dhergert on 09/30/2016 12:49:57