Hello all! I have this banjo that has been passed down through my family, and I'd really like to find out some more info about it. I know it's a Gibson tenor banjo, and I suspect that it is from the 50's based on my family's history; I could be completely wrong about that though. The head has been replaced, and the tail-piece/bridge (not sure what it's called) is broken. I still have the tail-piece, but it would need to be repaired. As far as the serial number, I believe I would need to remove the resonator which I wouldn't be super comfortable doing. I have not found any kind of serial number/model on the exterior. I would really love to learn more about this banjo, and I am wondering if it is worth considering a restoration. I plan on having this remain in the family - but just for fun, how much do you think it would be worth? Thank you greatly for any help you can provide!
Welcome to the hangout!
That is a quite nice Gibson banjo, with the highly sought bowtie inlay on the neck and an archtop tonering. For the correct period you need to remove the resonator (super easy, the 3 or 4 thumb screws sticking out of the flange do the job) and look for a serial number inside the rim. Please also provide pictures of the backside of the resonator and the sticker inside the rim.
A replacement tailpiece might be $30, the banjo has at least a value of $1500, this may be more if we can get the period correct and see the rim and more photos.
quote:
Originally posted by pfalzgrassWelcome to the hangout!
That is a quite nice Gibson banjo, with the highly sought bowtie inlay on the neck and an archtop tonering. For the correct period you need to remove the resonator (super easy, the 3 or 4 thumb screws sticking out of the flange do the job) and look for a serial number inside the rim. Please also provide pictures of the backside of the resonator and the sticker inside the rim.
A replacement tailpiece might be $30, the banjo has at least a value of $1500, this may be more if we can get the period correct and see the rim and more photos.
It might not be an TB-250 (with the archtop tonering). There is no binding on the peghead. More likely, an TB-150 with the smaller diameter tone hoop (basically an TB-100 with bowtie inlays.).
This is a TB150 from the 1950s. Gibson made the Style 150 from 1949 to 1958. It has a 1/4" round hoop ring that sits on top of the rim. Many of them have had the rims turned for a tone ring so the ones that still have the original hoop are more valuable. $1500 is a pretty realistic answer. If it had a good replacement five string neck it could be worth more.
quote:
Originally posted by pfalzgrassWelcome to the hangout!
That is a quite nice Gibson banjo, with the highly sought bowtie inlay on the neck and an archtop tonering. For the correct period you need to remove the resonator (super easy, the 3 or 4 thumb screws sticking out of the flange do the job) and look for a serial number inside the rim. Please also provide pictures of the backside of the resonator and the sticker inside the rim.
A replacement tailpiece might be $30, the banjo has at least a value of $1500, this may be more if we can get the period correct and see the rim and more photos.
Thank you for the info. I found the serial number but no sticker. The number is "882-38"
That means it was made in 1949. Gibson banjos from the 1950s and 1960s didn't have stickers inside the rim as a general rule.
Thank you for the follow up. I think I will have the tailpiece repaired/replaced and have the finish touched up.
dont mess with the finish, people want the original finish, i also wouldnt worry about the tailpeice. If youre going to sell this, the buyer will most likely want to make this into a five string banjo so the tailpeice would be replaced anyway. I dont think youll find a tenor player that will want to buy this for the price mentioned. You can find much higher end tenor banjos in that price range.
It's often surprising that Gibson brand tenor banjos aren't more wildly popular with tenor banjo players. They tend to prefer other brands like Bacon and Day, Vega, Paramount, etc.
Gibsons' max value is to the bluegrass 5 string players. An age/model appropriate Gibson 4 string banjo fetches an eye-watering price and then the buyer pays an additional $1500 for a top quality matching 5 string neck to bolt on in place of the original 4 string neck.
It's a bluegrass thing...
I bet it sounds great! But especially with a 5 string neck...those 1949s are AWESOME in my opinion.
It is especially nice that this one has the original tone hoop. 5-string conversions with an uncut rim are my favourites.
quote:
Originally posted by The Old TimerIt's often surprising that Gibson brand tenor banjos aren't more wildly popular with tenor banjo players. They tend to prefer other brands like Bacon and Day, Vega, Paramount, etc.
All this is just my opinion (Johnny Baier, a much better and more knowledgable player than me, might have a different opinion), but as a Jazz tenor player, in my experience, flathead tone rings don't work well in a context with a lot of horns. I had two flathead banjos, a Prucha and a Deering, both very nice banjos, but they simply couldn't cut through the horns when they were all blowing away. I had to beat the snot out of the things and they were never loud enough for them. The maple-and-ebony-necked Deering was marginally better than the Mahagony-and-rosewood Prucha. And the rich overtones just turned into mush. I felt like Ringo Starr slamming the beat for all he was worth just so the other lads could hear him (but without the screaming little girls). When I switched to a Silver Bell, the sun rose, the clouds parted, and the angels sang.
Oddly enough, my 'b'-banjo, a 70s-80s Kasuga-made masterclone with a pot metal ring, which I use in bad weather or gigs involving unpredictable drunks, has an unpleasant, thin, tinny tone which cuts through.
In a small combo, say a trio, the Prucha especially would have been great. But not a street band.
jmho
Steven
Edited by - stevo58 on 05/20/2025 00:23:13
quote:
Originally posted by The Old TimerIt's often surprising that Gibson brand tenor banjos aren't more wildly popular with tenor banjo players. They tend to prefer other brands like Bacon and Day, Vega, Paramount, etc.
Gibsons' max value is to the bluegrass 5 string players. An age/model appropriate Gibson 4 string banjo fetches an eye-watering price and then the buyer pays an additional $1500 for a top quality matching 5 string neck to bolt on in place of the original 4 string neck.
It's a bluegrass thing...
Yes it is true, but I love to play my tb3 form the late 20ties completely original...
