I'm curious to see how many old ball-bearings are still in their original state...
I've got 8262-40 - it was a PB3, but has now got a TB4 neck from '27, which I forgot to note the serial of. oh... and I've still got the PB3 neck.
23 Comments |
 | gailg64 says:
2/1/2011 7:27:34 AM
Mine's a 1926, #8319-5. Physical evidence supports its always having been a 5 string, though it was "rode hard & put up wet" for decades & has a replaced fingerboard & tuners.
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 | jimh269b says:
2/1/2011 11:23:16 AM
well mine is 1925 model 8208
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| gailg64 says:
2/1/2011 11:31:21 AM
Does it have the cool "sound jets" in the skirt?
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 | TomL says:
2/2/2011 11:18:12 AM
I just got a 1925, style 3, number 8049-2 .
It was a tenor, and now has an excellent repro 5 string neck. It has the sound jets in the skirt (less agressive than shotgun holes), and mastertone in the headstock. Like Gail's, this one will be playing old time, mainly.
I was struck by the ralph stanley tone. Looking at old photos, it seems that Ralph may have been playing a '25 style 4 on a lot of the early stanley brothers recordings.
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| gailg64 says:
2/5/2011 9:13:25 AM
I'd really love to hear you play that one, Tom! I think you're right about Ralph's banjo. Another banjo from the same era is the Rakes RB-4, played by C. Poole on his last recordings. There's a sweet recording of Rakes playing Chicken Reel on it with picks on the WPAQ CD.
After installing an emergency plastic head on mine last summer, its sound became so Rakes/Mainer/George Pegram-ish & it just screamed for nationals & a "fauxgrass" roll style.
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| TomL says:
2/5/2011 11:10:00 AM
I just listened to the Rakes Chicken Reel -- you're right, it's a wonderful piece.
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tofte32 says:
2/6/2011 3:14:22 AM
8415-1, 1926 tb3 all original and very worn metal work.
ian
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 | Jezzro2004 says:
2/7/2011 10:47:54 AM
8527-97, 1926 TB3, double bound resonator, notched tension hoop.
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| Jezzro2004 says:
2/7/2011 11:11:25 AM
8527-97, 1926 TB3, double bound resonator, notched tension hoop.
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 | dgill says:
2/11/2011 6:32:00 PM
Mine is a 1926 Gibson TB-3 which James "Smitty" Smith made the 5 string neck. He did a great job by the way. Serial # 8279-43. Picture of the build are on Smitty's home page.
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 | 1931TB2 says:
2/26/2011 7:53:59 AM
8118-21 1925 Granada with a Frank Neat neck!
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 | gdoc says:
3/11/2011 10:06:03 AM
I have a 25 tb3 all orginal with a Rodgers Jr calf skin head, case and all. I'm having Monte Hendricks make a 5 string neck for it now. #8163-12
I also have a 26 tb4 with all the orginal parts too, and a conversion neck too. Don't have the orginal case though. #8428-26
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 | hartfordman says:
3/26/2011 6:50:38 PM
Proud to say mine is ALL ORIGINAL! #8415-16. Orig. case, orig tenor neck, tone ring, etc. Single bound resonator. Did put a new head on though-a new Deering prismatic head. This makes a perfect jam buster! Check the pictures out
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 | Wes Lassiter says:
5/30/2011 3:30:24 PM
Mine is a 1926 8425-72 style 3 all original. I am converting the banjo using a same vintage original five string neck. I also have a 1933 style 2 conversion...
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 | Fathand says:
9/7/2011 3:21:54 PM
8041-47 has a hearts and flowers 5 string neck on it that says Gibson on the headstock, I wish I knew who made it. I bought it in the 80's I was told it used to belong to Walt Maynard who played with The Dixie Flyers in Canada. Walt has passed on now so I can't ask him.
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 | Dave Obrien says:
9/15/2011 5:19:21 PM
I have 8319-2 all original have played it since 1972 would like to purchase a tenor ball bearing just like it.
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| Dave Obrien says:
9/15/2011 5:19:58 PM
I have 8319-2 all original have played it since 1972 would like to purchase a tenor ball bearing just like it.
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| Dave Obrien says:
8/18/2012 9:05:20 AM
I found a beautiful 1926 tenor and am going to put a JohnBalch goat skin head on it also!
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 | hawkaroo says:
9/15/2012 5:50:27 AM
Mine is 1925, serial #8012-12. It has a 1970s Gibson factory neck that is mahogany with wreath pattern.
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| hawkaroo says:
9/15/2012 5:54:21 AM
Any one have ideas or experience about how the sound would change if you took the ballbearings and springs out and set the tonering on the rim?
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| hawkaroo says:
9/15/2012 7:47:35 AM
Also, what difference would the quality (grade) of the ball bearings make in the sound of the banjo? Anyone know the specs on the ball bearings Gibson used?
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 | jloyd61 says:
9/25/2012 1:25:50 PM
I have two 25's 8126-35 With the ball & springs out, and skin head, and Maple neck.
The 8172-10 has springs in, and remo head, and Magohany neck. Sound is very close on both banjos. Great year.
jloyd61
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