radio1 - Posted - 11/12/2025:  09:44:01

Hi..Sorry to be a bother but I just was gifted a mint five string resonator banjo with "Gomez" on the headstock..No Manufacturers name anywhere but serial number CBR38R0S...high gloss walnut/stained maple resonator with polished wooden handrest ,inlayed mother of pearl? neck markers similar to Gibson, small dove??on headstock under Gomez, and a large golden eagle with 3 stars above it on the high gloss resonator. Inlaid creme trim aound top and bottom of resonator and a gold and floral inlay on top of the top of the fornt of the resonator....Would send photos if I could get my computer to work...anyway any help would be appreciated, good or bad news is Ok....Thanks again..Bruce R..

Bill Rogers - Posted - 11/12/2025:  11:11:18

99.99% chance it’s a modern Asian (likely Chinese) copy of a Gibson Mastertone-style banjo. Could be a decent player to learn on, but not particularly valuable. Further assessment depends on pix, which should include the inside with the resonator off, showing any tone ring.

Edited by - Bill Rogers on 11/12/2025 11:13:29

radio1 - Posted - 11/13/2025:  13:07:14

Hi..Thank for the quick response I looked at photos of the Gibson and this one clearly isn't a replica. The neck inlays are of a Gison Les Paul guitar type but are all quite different...But some additon research seems to say it may have been made mid century in Japan...Some photos finally, albeit not of great quality are attached...Your help is greatly appreciated..Bruce R.

pinenut - Posted - 11/13/2025:  13:13:51

It's a classic entry level "bottlecap" banjo; this one looks to have a very playable neck with a single action truss rod.  Probably made in Japan in the ~70's, but might be Korea or China.  Pics of the back of the head and the heal of the neck would help with age and origin.  100% of the value is in the set-up and playing.  Very nice.

Edited by - pinenut on 11/13/2025 13:26:52