quote:

---

Originally posted by JSutton

I need help finding a year/model that this pot came off of. The neck on the banjo has obviously been replaced at some point. Let me know if you need any more pictures or more info. ThanksPost the pictures directly to this forum. Though they are on your media page, making them easily accessible on this page will get you more replies.

I recommend you post the pictures directly to this forum. Though they are on your media page, making them easily accessible on this page will get you more replies.

When you (and only you) view this page, you can scroll down to an attachments box that has your media photos. click on each one and they will appear in "your attachments" box. Then click post reply. 

Very simple and much more convenient for us that have sucky internet connections.

Bob Smakula

Thank you. Sorry it's my first time using this forum.

Those photos don't give us enough to go.

The number in the rim 0485-44, "suggests" it "might" be a 1927 model from the "new" production line Gibson started up due to high demand. However the two sources we all have access to, Banjophiles and Greg Earnest, do not go as high as 0485. Also the font of the stamp looks a bit off.

If we could see the outer sides of the rim, and the flange, it might help to find out if it has a 2 pc flange or 1 pc, which might help figure out it's rough age. Likewise the resonator, presuming it's original. Are there and Patent stamp inside the rim? Safe to say if it's a 1927 it wouldn't have an original flat head ring -- it would be a cast arch top with either no holes, or 40 holes. Those holes in your photo appear a bit smaller than expected for a Gibson tone ring. Also if this was a 1927 rim, it should have a gold label inside the rim.

It's a nice looking rim though.

Here are some more pictures. Thanks y'all!

What does the number in the rim look to be to you?

At first glance the resonator looks like a 1950-60s resonator when all Gibsons had 3 lugs (instead of the pre-war four lugs). But then looking at the pot you can clearly see where a resonator L tab used to be fastened to the outside of the rim with 2 little screws, which would be where the missing 4th resonator lug used to be. So this suggests the resonator is not original to the pot. The general color of the mahogany resonator is typical for a 1920s style 4 Gibson, or a style 3 after the 1929-30 redesign, or after 1935-36 when the style number was changed to 75. Or an aftermarket "parts" resonator.
.
And yet the inside of the pot shows one coordinator rod with the "pyramid" nut holding the upper lug screw of the heel. This is a mark of 1950s-60s Gibsons too.

I'd have to conclude it's at best a "parts banjo" because the pieces aren't matching up as they should. The only metal part with a logo or trademark on it would be the "Doeller mark" in the underside of the one piece flange, only visible with the neck removed usually. That would make it a Gibson factory installed part for sure. Gibson did not use "marked" tension hoops (except for the 1920s "E2" stamped tension hoops in 2 piece flange banjos). In the 50s-60s Gibson tone rings were not marked. If the tone ring has only 19 holes in it (instead of 20) that aligns with Gibson factory tone rings in that period - mostly the 1960s. That would about all you'd have to go on.

Basically, too much variance in parts to conclude that they all left the Gibson factory together. For me, anyway.

I read the no. to be 6485-44 a batch of 100s and 150s probably was a150 with the original reso re finished Likely 51 to 53 depending whose opinion you use

The number is 6485-44 as stated by tlong. My first inclination was that it was a 150 pot from the 50s that had been cut for a tone ring, but I'm far from an expert.

Well, using 6485-44 as the F.O.N. there are two clues in Banjophiles.

First is two banjos in the 6485 batch, listed as 1951.  A TB 100 and an RB 100.

Then comes a double entry for YOUR EXACT RIM, 6485-44, listed (twice) as a 1954 RB -   banjo.  The listing came from a BHO member "BFF", so if you can find BFF he might tell you more.