What was the post-war era of three v. four resonator lugs?
Basically, the era of three lugs was from 1949 to 1969. RB100s still used three lugs into the 1970s but eventually went to four lugs, I'm not sure exactly when. A few of the early RB100s and RB150s had four lugs, and some of the three-lug models had the lugs at the fourth hole in the flange. The RB250s had three lugs throughout the Bow Tie era. I'm not sure if the 1969 RB250s had three lugs or four. It has been quite a few years since I saw one.
In short, nothing was absolute with Gibson. What I typed was a guideline but not to be taken as Gospel.
Mark, Thank you for the reply and the exact information I needed. Much appreciated. Paul
I believe when they went to using the plates instead of L-brackets they went four thumbscrews (style 100s). I forget what those plates are called, maybe t plates or something, but m sure you know the ones, the flat ones from 70s.
quote:
Originally posted by BrettI believe when they went to using the plates instead of L-brackets they went four thumbscrews (style 100s). I forget what those plates are called, maybe t plates or something, but m sure you know the ones, the flat ones from 70s.
They're called T-brackets. Stewart MacDonald has sold them for years although they are a closeout item now. Saga used to sell a slightly different version of them as well. They were included with the banjo kits that StewMac and Saga sold for years. There was also a wider-spaced bracket for the tailpiece, but I don't see them on either website anymore.
Edited by - Culloden on 11/09/2024 17:09:51
I have a different opinion.
3 lugs is 25% cheaper than 4 lugs. And the resonator is just as secure. Sounds like something that would appeal to Gibson.
Look at old photos of Flatt & Scruggs in the 1950s. Like the white Mercury album "Country Music" with the full band plus Kentucky Slim. Earl's banjo has the thumbscrew just to the treble side of the neck removed. In some photos both of the resonator lugs on the treble side are removed. Why? I figure either he lost them, or he was adjusting/changing calfskin head tension so frequently that he just left them in the case pocket to save time taking the resonator off and putting it back.
When Vega brought out the Earl Scruggs model, they got away with just two resonator thumbscrews.
Just my opinion.
As a rule, "it was cheaper to do it that way" is the answer to why Gibson did almost anything on banjos. The fact that it often improved the instrument was secondary.
More could probably be added to this list, but it's late here.
Dropping the extra lug fits the pattern. Saved Gibson money, and arguably made the instrument better. Every time I take the resonator off mine I wish they had made that design change on Mastertones in 1929. Plus, to back up Mark's comment about guidelines vs. gospel, my TB-11, no serial number but built in the 1930s, had three lugs. So they were doing it on their lower-cost banjos way before 1949.
