I just acquired this 1934 TB-1 from the son of its owner for the past sixty years. It’s a little bit messed up but still a fine sounding and playing banjo in its current tenor state. The most obvious and somewhat amusing issue is the misshapen peghead. Upon receiving the instrument, I realized the reason peghead had been modified was so it could fit in the non original case I acquired it it.
I bought it under the impression most if not all the rim hardware is replaced. The tailpiece, tension hoop and L brackets are all replacements. The biggest question to me is the flange. I am thinking it’s a replated Doehler, as the Doehler stamp and the lines by the neck cut appear to be there but are obscured by plating. The circular marks seem more subdued like the prewar examples, but the back is shiny like a post war one. I know it functions every bit the same, but I’d like to be honest about what I have here when I eventually sell this instrument.
Speaking of which, if you are looking for an uncut TB-1, this is one and it will be a bit cheaper due to these and other issues. Let me know if you’re interested! Thanks!
Here’s some more photos from the flange on this old Shakey’s Pizza band veteran.
I may be wrong, but that flange, rim color and what I can see of the resonator looks to me to be from an TB-250.
Does the rim have a serial number or a Gibson label?
It almost looks like a TB-1 neck stuck on a 250 pot.
Hope I am wrong. If so, others will Correct me.
Please post any photos of serial numbers, decals ect so we all can get a better level
Of info.
The flange looks like some I've seen on 50s banjos, rim looks good to me with the decal and assume it's stamped with the fon.
FON 867-7 is on the heel, rim, and resonator, which the Spann book puts at a ‘34 TB-1. The non Mastertone label and brass hoop are intact and the resonator looks like it should apart from someone carving notches into it to accommodate non original L brackets. Attached are more photos for further context. Alvin, it’s funny though that you brought up the possibility of it being a 250 because that’s the next old weirdo Gibson I’ll be posting about when after I take it apart.
Edited by - Karl Smakula on 03/30/2023 10:35:58
Some resonator/hardware pics…
So to back track after seeing other pictures…That rim is legit, the resonator is legit, and the neck is legit. Some of the metal is questionable, but all in all, real nice find!
Do nothing else but drop a proper five string neck on that, and you will have one heck of a banjo.
or cut it and make it a bluegrass canon! ;-)
