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Jan 14, 2025 - 5:33:32 PM
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3385 posts since 1/16/2013

I've only seen 2 of these so I thought I'd share. I'd like to hear from others who might have seen one.

This F.O.N. M4397 batch is most likely from around 1932-1934 given some of the particulars with the hardware. Since there are no written records from this time period, It's difficult to say exactly what Gibson was up to with this particular configuration. In speaking with a few well known Prewar Gibson authorities, all of them agree that this batch is very unique and somewhere around 50 were made. The resonator is basically like a late 20's Style 3 with maple and a reddish brown stain and 3-lug pattern. The pot assembly features the 2-piece flange configuration with a pot metal tension hoop and the rim thickness is that of the late 20's as well. These banjos have a "The Gibson" label and not a Mastertone because the banjo has 1 co-rod and had a 1/4" brass hoop like a normal Style 1 or 2. This one was converted by Curtis McPeake using his 20-hole McPeake/Kulesh tone ring and a mahogany Frank Neat neck. The neck has the leaves and bows inlay and Keith d-tuners installed.




















 

Jan 16, 2025 - 5:42:13 AM
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1555 posts since 10/5/2006

I have in my records:
M4397-2
M4397-6
M4397-10
M4397-23
M4397-48
All tenors

I believe the FON dates to ca 1939 - 1940.

Edited by - Oldtwanger on 01/16/2025 05:43:16

Jan 16, 2025 - 5:50:04 AM
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Jbo1

USA

1382 posts since 5/19/2007

What's with the box around the chalked "-2" and then the question mark? Have there been other Gibsons with either a box or question mark? And what does the "M" signify?
Thanks.

Jan 16, 2025 - 6:27:54 AM

3385 posts since 1/16/2013

quote:
Originally posted by Oldtwanger

I have in my records:
M4397-2
M4397-6
M4397-10
M4397-23
M4397-48
All tenors

I believe the FON dates to ca 1939 - 1940.

Frank, What has you thinking 39-40? I know Banjophiles has a couple entries at 37-41 but some of the configuration to me seems 32-34. I know Banjophiles is not 100%..... very interesting for sure.

From what I'm gathering there were about 50 made.

Thanks!


Jan 16, 2025 - 6:28:23 AM

2957 posts since 1/4/2009

quote:
Originally posted by Jbo1

What's with the box around the chalked "-2" and then the question mark? Have there been other Gibsons with either a box or question mark? And what does the "M" signify?
Thanks.


i think that is a later addition, someones guess at what the painted fon above is. 

Jan 16, 2025 - 6:32:04 AM

3385 posts since 1/16/2013

quote:
Originally posted by Jbo1

What's with the box around the chalked "-2" and then the question mark? Have there been other Gibsons with either a box or question mark? And what does the "M" signify?
Thanks.


Most people have never seen one of these. This is the first one I've had in person and I actually played -3 at Banjothon last week. I've messaged the owner to see his chalk number... I've spoke at length with Huber, Spann, Greg Earnest, and others...these are an enigma. Nobody seems to know the "M" designation.

Thanks!

Jan 16, 2025 - 6:36:10 AM
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Jbo1

USA

1382 posts since 5/19/2007

Thank you both kyleb and Ceres Banjo Works for the quick responses.

Jan 16, 2025 - 8:23:12 AM
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2957 posts since 1/4/2009

Check these out!  I found them on banjophiles and figured out how to load the images!  As I thought the chalk in the resonator is likely a later addition. 

For you tech savy banjo dorks, you can go to any of the image links on banjophiles, here is the one for M-4397-10 https://www.banjophiles.com/SerNumData/M4397-10.html

If you right click on the image and copy the image address you get a url like this:  https://www.banjophiles.com/sitebuilder/images/decal-453x334.jpg

Simply remove the /sitebuilder from the url an dyou can see the image! this unlocks numerous pictures from banjophiles that i didnt think were accessable anymore!

https://www.banjophiles.com/images/decal-453x334.jpg






Jan 16, 2025 - 8:36:09 AM

2957 posts since 1/4/2009

It looks like it even had a blank mastertone block on the neck! this looks almost exactly like a late 20s style three. looking at the pictures of the banjophiles one, i really think they had some left over late 20s tb3s necks and hardware and decided to sell them as style 1s.

Edited by - kyleb on 01/16/2025 08:45:48

Jan 16, 2025 - 9:15:51 AM

Haard

USA

82 posts since 9/30/2004

Frank,

You can add M4397-4 to your list

I owned this banjo several years ago but ended up letting it go. I bought it as a tenor from Intermountain and never converted it to a 5. I sold it on here. It conformed to the listed M series attributes.

Thanks,
Howard

Jan 16, 2025 - 9:36:14 AM

2957 posts since 1/4/2009

quote:
Originally posted by Haard

Frank,

You can add M4397-4 to your list

I owned this banjo several years ago but ended up letting it go. I bought it as a tenor from Intermountain and never converted it to a 5. I sold it on here. It conformed to the listed M series attributes.

Thanks,
Howard


Did it have a blank mastertone block like the one I posted? 

Jan 16, 2025 - 9:41:12 AM
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Haard

USA

82 posts since 9/30/2004

I just posted pictures of the banjo under my profile.

Kyle,

Yes, the tenor neck had a blank mastertone block that I assume the original owner engraved his/her initials on.

Howard

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