ES in BS - Posted - 01/23/2026:  13:23:06

I recently met a fellow who told me that he "had an old Gibson" to which I responded "You have my attention; Tell me more". He didn't really know much about it other than it was his Dad's. A couple days later he sent several pics. After a brief investigation, I was able to give him some "ball park level" information about what it is: a "trap door" style TB-something from the 1920s. I told him that the serial number could help to nail down exactly what it is / when it was made / etc. He subsequently told me that he had found the number 11788-5. I have been unsuccessful in tracing this serial number so I would really appreciate it if someone more knowledgeable than I am can provide some additional details for me to pass along to him.

Thank you for your time and for any info.

Ed Smith
Brown Summit NC

Gibson - 2

Gibson -1

 

OldFrets - Posted - 01/23/2026:  13:32:07

That is a 1923 TB-4.

klgera - Posted - 01/23/2026:  17:41:27

A trapdoor.

banjopaolo - Posted - 01/24/2026:  01:07:32

In my opinion these old trapdoor banjos have the most beautiful peghead Gibson ever made :-)

ES in BS - Posted - 01/24/2026:  06:42:27

Thank you, OldFrets, for the info. I would have guessed a TB-4 because the part of the neck that extends over the head has the same shape as what I had seen in pictures of other trap doors that were identified as a TB-4. Thanks for confirming my suspicion & for identifying the year.

If y'all will indulge some additional questions, I would appreciate any info that you can provide:

*One of the pictures that the owner sent me showed that the back side of the head shows "Jos Rogers Jr". Could this be the original hide head?

*Am I right in thinking that this banjo has a <11 inch diameter rim? Does that impact the potential for conversion into a 5-string "bluegrasser"?

*In a phone conversation with the owner, he mentioned that he might be interested in selling it. Y'all have any insight as to what I can tell him the market would be for it?

Thank you for any info. And if you're gonna be hit with the big storm (like I am), hunker down & be safe.

Ed Smith
Brown Summit NC

BTuno - Posted - 01/24/2026:  07:23:49

I agree, 1923 TB-4, trapdoor, bound peghead, ring on the TD, 10 1/2 in. rim. perforated tube tone ring. It appears to be in good, original shape. I would not convert it, unless it was simply to put a good reproduction 5 string neck on it, keeping the original neck intact, so it could be easily put back into original condition. Nice find, maybe worth a $grand.

Jbo1 - Posted - 01/24/2026:  11:36:52

It's a very pretty banjo and in great shape.

The "Jos Rogers Jr" would be either the original, or an original replacement head. Great that it is still on the banjo.

If you are looking for a bluegrass sound, I'm not sure you would get that with a 5-string neck conversion on this banjo. As BTuno pointed out, it has a 10 1/2" head with a tube tone ring. It would make a nice folk style sounding instrument, but may not cut it in a bluegrass setting.

ES in BS - Posted - 01/29/2026:  06:32:00

Just wanted to thank everybody who took the time to answer my questions.

'Preciate it

Ed Smith
Brown Summit NC

The Old Timer - Posted - 01/29/2026:  14:42:59

As I remember, the Gibson catalog specified the TB 4 pre-1925 as being SILVER plated metal, not nickel. The contemporary TB 5 was gold plated.

Gibson Lloyd Loar mandolins of this same year typically had SILVER plated metal work (tailpiece, tuners).

Just a little something that went by the way in the 1925 roll out of the Mastertone resonator banjo line.

The TB 4 and TB 5 of this period are really lovely instruments, using much of the staining expertise applied to the mandolin line. The 5 has very very nice inlays too.