This banjo is an original 1927 Gibson TB-5 Deluxe and conforms to all period Style 5 Deluxe catalog standards, including ¾ inch thickness wood rim, no-hole raised head tonering, 2-piece flange construction, walnut woods, and gold plated hand-engraved metal parts, including the original Kerschner “Deluxe” engraved tailpiece.

It also features beautiful burl walnut figure in its resonator, with only normal playing and handling wear overall. Its gold plated engraved parts are still in wonderful original condition, and both the neck and resonator feature all proper wood marquetry and heavy layered bindings. The rim features its original uncut Mastertone Guarantee label. The back of the original fiddle shaped peghead features the proper Style 5 Deluxe fancy wood marquetry inlay, and still retains its original gold plated planetary tuners with original solid mother of pearl buttons. The only anomaly is a small cut out in its flange. The previous owner says he has seen this similar cutout on several fully original prewar Gibson banjos from this time period over the years. According to him, it seems the 2-piece flanges were cut from flat sheet brass and occasionally the machine cut a random piece slightly short. At the time I purchased the banjo from him, he currently had a 1928 Style 4 with him with a nearly identical anomaly which was also fully original.

The banjo was converted to 5 string by Frank Neat with a perfect matching 5 string neck profiled to prewar specs featuring the proper wreath inlay pattern, along with the fancy bindings and wood marquetry. Modern ABM tuners are installed, fitted with the original pearl solid mother of pearl buttons from the tenor neck. A modern 5th string tuner with a solid pearl button was utilized to match as well. The original tenor neck and original planetary tuners will be included with the banjo.

If a return is necessary, please discuss in advance.

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