i have been looking at a the gibson tenor openback, from the 20,s i dont see much of these, and cant find any sound examples its 19 fret, not a trapdoor does anyone know somthing about these how they sound ?
Edited by - Texasbanjo on 08/13/2025 14:02:12
Please show us inside the pot.
What Mike says.
I've seen quite a few good Gibson tenor necks attached to unrelated, inferior pots, being sold as "Gibson banjos".
Assuming that it has a rolled tone hoop and decent set-up, it will have a nice balanced banjo tone... Pleasant, effective and loud enough.
Assuming that it has no tone ring and decent set-up, it will still have a nice balanced banjo tone... Pleasant, less distinct note shapes and quieter.
The neck appears to mounted perpendicular to the rim, but the tailpiece, bridge and strings are skewed left. This could be as simple as pushing them straight or a mounting bracket location issue. It's not a huge playability issue but, I don't like this set-up problem.
What is the action at the twelfth fret? With what bridge height?
Edited by - pinenut on 08/15/2025 10:29:33
My brother has a 60s open-back Gibson -- don't know the model or specs, but it's a great-sounding old-time banjo.
I think this is just a regular Gibson banjo with the flange and resonator removed and veneer added , I don’t think they shipped any open backs in this era.
Edited by - kyleb on 08/15/2025 16:45:33
22 brackets is a clue
quote:
Originally posted by pinenut
The neck appears to mounted perpendicular to the rim, but the tailpiece, bridge and strings are skewed left. This could be as simple as pushing them straight or a mounting bracket location issue. It's not a huge playability issue but, I don't like this set-up problem.
Looks to me like if that tailpiece was centered between those brackets, everything would line up OK. Shouldn't be any problem.
quote:
Originally posted by Dan Gellertquote:
Originally posted by pinenut
The neck appears to mounted perpendicular to the rim, but the tailpiece, bridge and strings are skewed left. This could be as simple as pushing them straight or a mounting bracket location issue. It's not a huge playability issue but, I don't like this set-up problem.
Looks to me like if that tailpiece was centered between those brackets, everything would line up OK. Shouldn't be any problem.
Right, the coordinator rod holes are drilled off center.
I have fixed this on another banjo that had standard 24 hook spacing with a tailpiece T-bracket...
This one is a 22 hook; it may need to be fabricated or not, dunno. They come in different widths from Saga and Sullivan.
Edited by - pinenut on 08/19/2025 18:46:45
Where these pictures were taken? Looks like a caveau of the federal reserve!
beautiful instrument in any case.... :-)
Edited by - banjopaolo on 09/06/2025 14:22:08
Not a Gibson pot. As has been pointed out, 22 brackets instead of 24 is the clue.
There are low end Gibsons from the 1930s with 16 brackets (these don't have flanges) under the Kalamazoo, Oriole and other brands. If you know what to look for, bargains can be found. I once paid $50 including shipping for a Kalamazoo plectrum with resonator and case—Music Store Guy told the seller that only Kays had 16 brackets. I would have sent MSG a Starbucks card if I knew who he was.
Edited by - mikehalloran on 09/06/2025 23:14:26
