the-fish - Posted - 07/14/2025:  21:47:17

Spoke with a very self indulged collect this evening with a million in his collection and 250k to invest
Selling some Gibson electrics (I am)
Anyway he says he had a Granada , 1928. Gold plated and engraved that he sold a few years ago for 6 k
Tenor banjo of course
I call BS but I don’t know Gibson specs at all and no where near what you others know
Isn’t 28 a bit early?
Granada from 28 gold and engraved ?

Brian Murphy - Posted - 07/15/2025:  03:34:56

The Groundspeed banjo was a 1928.    See also themusicemporium.com/products/...aH-CKL4GV

the-fish - Posted - 07/15/2025:  04:15:59

Interesting , this is why I never got into Gibson game
I was thinking he was BS cause I thought it would be like 50k
Still don’t get it
Oh well

southerndrifter - Posted - 07/15/2025:  04:26:27

quote:

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Originally posted by Brian Murphy

The Groundspeed banjo was a 1928.    

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Tony Williamson is credited with the historical info on the Earnest website. I believe he is mistaken about the 1928 Granada being used by Earl Scruggs to record "Groundspeed". It's been widely known and documented that Earl used a flathead RB-4 to record "Groundspeed". The banjo was later owned by Mike Longworth. I don't remember the FON of the 4, but I'm sure you can find it in the BHO archives. 

As far as the Gibson Granada model, it was first introduced in 1925 by Gibson. So a Granada dating to 1928 is quite accurate. 

southerndrifter - Posted - 07/15/2025:  04:31:05

quote:

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Originally posted by southerndrifter

quote:

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Originally posted by Brian Murphy

The Groundspeed banjo was a 1928.    

---

Tony Williamson is credited with the historical info on the Earnest website. I believe he is mistaken about the 1928 Granada being used by Earl Scruggs to record "Groundspeed". It's been widely known and documented that Earl used a flathead RB-4 to record "Groundspeed". The banjo was later owned by Mike Longworth. I don't remember the FON of the 4, but I'm sure you can find it in the BHO archives. 

As far as the Gibson Granada model, it was first introduced in 1925 by Gibson. So a Granada dating to 1928 is quite accurate. 

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(Not) The Groundspeed banjo (but another one) that Earl owned - Discussion Forums - Banjo Hangout

the-fish - Posted - 07/15/2025:  05:15:48

Learning something thank you
I just thought , or understand what makes a pre war 10 k and others 100k
Most all have a Huber or nest or whomever 5 string neck, are those high value instruments valued as such because they were an original 5 string neck?

the-fish - Posted - 07/15/2025:  05:17:54

When he told me this story I was under impression he way under sold it and suggested on the future contact Huber or Neat

the-fish - Posted - 07/15/2025:  05:19:22

Sadly I wold have listed Mills first
But ya know

Brian Murphy - Posted - 07/15/2025:  05:28:16

quote:

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Originally posted by southerndrifter

quote:

---

Originally posted by southerndrifter

quote:

---

Originally posted by Brian Murphy

The Groundspeed banjo was a 1928.    

---

Tony Williamson is credited with the historical info on the Earnest website. I believe he is mistaken about the 1928 Granada being used by Earl Scruggs to record "Groundspeed". It's been widely known and documented that Earl used a flathead RB-4 to record "Groundspeed". The banjo was later owned by Mike Longworth. I don't remember the FON of the 4, but I'm sure you can find it in the BHO archives. 

As far as the Gibson Granada model, it was first introduced in 1925 by Gibson. So a Granada dating to 1928 is quite accurate. 

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(Not) The Groundspeed banjo (but another one) that Earl owned - Discussion Forums - Banjo Hangout

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Wow, I had forgotten about that discussion.  Thanks.  I can really kick up the dust, can't I :-) 

lightgauge - Posted - 07/15/2025:  05:58:02

The higher priced ones are one piece flange and flathead tonerings. This was likely a 2 pc flange archtop. An original 5 string neck will definitely add to the value of either.

The Old Timer - Posted - 07/15/2025:  07:34:33

Granadas from 1925/26 have two piece flanges (tube and plate) and ball bearing tone rings. These would generally have value on the lower end of the Granada scale -- even if they were original 5 strings.

Granadas from 1927 to 1929 (more or less) have two piece flanges and cast arch top tone rings with either no holes or 40 holes. They usually are offered at up to $10,000 as a tenor or plectrum in fine condition. Multiples of $10K for an original 5 string neck.

In 1929 Gibson rolled out their redesign of all their RB and PB banjos with a flat head tone ring. All Mastertones switched from the two piece flange to the die cast one piece flange. FAMOUS bluegrass banjos from this time include Earl Scruggs' and Sonny Osborne's. Original 5 string flat heads are well in excess of $100,000, and rarely turn up in the open market, as the "serious" collectors keep these mostly by word of mouth and their grapevine. TB Granadas from 1929 on typically have the one piece flange by the 40 hole archtop cast tone ring. Depending on condition these sell for $25K and UP. They're highly sought for "double conversions" to 5 string with an aftermarket flat head tone ring.

Granadas were removed from the Gibson catalog by the mid 1930s, although various parts and pieces remained in Gibson's stockroom and they do "turn up".

So you can see there is a huge variation in valuation depending on the particulars of how Granadas were made for different neck lengths in different years.

1935tb-11 - Posted - 07/15/2025:  11:30:50

i was told sometime back sonny was offered 250 for his granada.
and another one i know about that was a litter mate to sonnys went for that amount or close to it also.

the-fish - Posted - 07/15/2025:  12:08:49

All great information thank you
What happened to Sonny’s banjo? I thought he leant it to someone to use but don’t recall
Earls is in a museum of sorts or something right ?

1935tb-11 - Posted - 07/17/2025:  11:10:40

quote:

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Originally posted by the-fish

All great information thank you

What happened to Sonny’s banjo? I thought he leant it to someone to use but don’t recall

Earls is in a museum of sorts or something right ?

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last i heard judy,, sonnys wife sold it to someone who wishes to be  anonymous. it may be public now but i have not heard...  as for the earl / mike longworth RB-4 the FON in it is 9639-9 .