banjo headstock identification
Description: Internally constructed from dense EPS foam, the exterior of this Gator banjo case is covered in rugged 600-denier ballistic . Mando-banjo identification [Archive] - Mandolin Cafe Forum 428 Geared pegs, reinforced neck & high nut, MYNNN or MYNNNN Month = 1-9 with 3 or 4-digit production number, MMYNNN or MMYNNNN Month =10,11,12 with 3 or 4-digit production number, # 41122 would have been made April 1971, #122, #121131 could be made in either December 1971, #131 or January 1972, #1131, #221 could have been made around 1907 or in the early 1940s, #2121 could have been made around 1913 or 1914, the late 1940s or February 1971, #21, #31121 could have been made in the early 1931 or 1932, 1960 or March 1971, #121. The binding on the top is b/w. The final production versions had a double-braced red spruce top and rosewood back and sides with a sunburst finish. I would sure like to hear what it sounds like. better-grade offerings frequently had notched, rather than grooved stretcher 1975 $899 The first catalog appearance of the L-5S was in the 1975 Gibson Solid Body catalog. Between 1934 and 1938, Gibson only offered the sunburst finish. At least one model, the Epiphone Spirit, was manufactured in the USA during the early 1980s in the Gibson factory in Kalamazoo, MI. Help identifying an old banjo - Mandolin Cafe The examples weve seen vary from the Gibson catalogs quite a bit. The first group in late 1936 had larger soundholes and long scales: 25 1/2. For photographic examples of the Gibson Cf-100 and CF-100E Click Here. There were some 1 3/4 nuts available. Size 3 Gurian, either acoustic or amplified. By the end in 1985-86, Gibson was basically down to the Les Paul model alone. How to customize a Huber Banjo; . of their later banjos had elite tailpieces, Orpheum-like hardware, and long, The 2nd delivery to Ray Whitley was the more refined 14 fret SJ that is so well photo-dicumented. It had chrome plated standard friction pegs, rosewood finished neck and headstock with matchin resonator. Gibson headstock logos | My Les Paul Forum They were well suited for orchestral arrangements as well as individual play and accompaniment. The grade of top wood was tighter grained. 615-264-4959. Angled (Tilted-Back) Headstock. The first versions of the Super Jumbo guitar had a neck joint with 12 frets clear of the body placing the moustache bridge geometrically in the center of the distinctly round 16 7/8 lower bout. Nice playability, great tone, strong low end and good sustain all the way up the neck. The instruments had modified fan bracing and asymmetrical bridges. White from 1928 to 1943/44. department to department had 40 cubbyholes. The Gibson Super Jumbo first appeared in 1937. Higher grade models (such as the Super 400, L-5, J-200, etc.) The early instruments built in Nashville suffered from inexperienced workers and climate-control problems in the humid South. The 5th string is not only shorter than the other four banjo strings, but this string is also the highest in sound (or pitch ). http://www.mugwumps.com. The following numbers are the earliest known serial number for the year listed. Yes, paging Scott to the Collector's Corner, please. It is, therefore, not unusual to find older mandolins with replacement bridges. The headstock shape is very similar and it has the hexnut . For example: The custom series of Epiphone Texans built with cooperation from Paul McCartney: some were built in Bozeman Montana and some in Japan. They are available for binding that is .060 and .090 binding. What's the history on the this jo, are you the original owner? The public seems to have favored this shape over time as it fetches better prices now. 1930s-40s R S Williams and Sons built "Stewart" 1940s R S Williams and Sons built bird's eye maple archtop 1940s R S Williams and Sons built bird's eye maple archtop headstock 1940s R S Williams and Sons built bird's eye maple archtop back Gibson. You may, . The neck holds the strings secure using tuners, four of which are located at the peghead, with the fifth string tuning peg located almost halfway up the neck. In some cases, teachers would Serial Search - Gibson The space between the headstock center and the top of the lathe bed is the radius of the lathe swing. Considering that Gibson was using a double X bracing for most of its other flat top guitars during that period, these instruments, with their modified fan bracing, stand out as some of the better sounding Gibsons of the time. These were Gibsons first flat-top cutaways. banjo headstock identification In 1935, binding was added to the fretboard. It had a 24 3/4 scale and was constructed of all solid woods. Hand Engraving. The early models had shallow neck sets and low bridges that increased in angle around 1908 with taller bridges. Instruction * ConcertsJams * More A flourish inlay under The Gibson in the headstock. Collector's Corner The original partners were Fred and Cassie Bacon and Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Winship. The saddles were wider than usual. Introduced is the year of introduction. It marked the beginning of a new era for Gibson. Example of custom shape is well represented below with the "Tennessee Banjo". ECL changed its name shortly afterwards to: Norlin Inc. for ECL president Norton Stevens and CMI president Maurice Berlin. Hard-stamped serial numbers. Electric guitars having the serial number on the back of the headstock. He lived in Illinois all his life. Aria Banjo Identification - mainefasr Though you were told there was only12 of this model made, it will not be any more valuable than if there 10,000 made. Gibson Banjos 1925 and Later: . purchase these instruments and put their own names on them, but in many other Body shape changed to square shoulder dreadnought. S2R3H, identical to S2R, but with 3-piece back, full herringbone purflings, gold tuners. World War II changed many aspects of the guitar world. See LG-0 for materials and dimensions. The headstock had a black wood face veneer. The headstock carried an inlayed script Gibson. There were 1229 made. The Gibson stamped on tailpiece cover. I wouldn't be surprised if a few exist with other brand names. The exceptions are those guitars sold by Selmer in the UK which will (probably) have a number stamped into the back of the headstock and guitars sold by Van Wouw in the Netherlands. GIBSON GARAGE FIND A DEALER GIBSON APP. There is a steel tone ring on the maple rim, and the rim has a maple cap. Date Your Harmony - Harmony Guitars middle-sized, chrome tuners. ', 'Pisgah 12 Builders Choice Custom Walnut Dobson 5+1 String Banjo', 'Custom 12inch Billybilt Banjo w Figured Maple neck and Curly maple RIckard Pot and Balch head', '11inch Billybilt Banjo with Antique Spunover SS Stewart Pot and Curly Maple neck'. No serial numbers etc. By 1941, either natural or sunburst were available. The appointments matched the MK-35 but the bracing was modified to accommodate the additional string tension of 12 strings. Its not clear how it works during this period. The top and back are lightly arched, producing the deepest measurement in the center of the guitars body. In general, the Larsons used fancier hardware on the more expensive instruments so the date of the hardware should coincide with similar instruments of the period. Vintage banjo from 1920s to 1970s - price guide and values - Carter's Thanks for the history, I always love the story. GB -- guitar banjo. Also, the first batch of J-45s had more binding both on the body and soundhole. During 1880-1890 Fairbanks joined with William A. Cole, a successful performer and teacher, and produced approximately 9000 banjos as Fairbanks & Cole. Gold script Gibson logo, Pickguard: Tiger-striped & teardrop shape, Finish: brown sunburst top finish, dark brown mahogany back and sides and neck, Body Binding: 7-ply top binding and single ply back binding, Tuners: Kluson Mfg Chicago and Pat. stamped into the plate in a circle around the attachment screws, plastic button usually white but sometimes black), Tortoise-shell teardrop pickguard replaced the tiger stripe material, Single bound top and back, multi-bound rosette, Mahogany neck but a few Maple necks with a single walnut stripe down the center (3 piece neck), Three layer w/b/w tops and single layer back binding, Mahogany neck block with beveled sides, changed to a mahogany neck block with square sides, Tuners were 3-on-a-plate Klusons with exposed gears and Kluson Mfg Chicago and Pat. stamped into the plate in a circle around the attachment screws, plastic buttons (usually white but sometimes black) and 1/4 diameter posts. Number on headstock, Open Back, Pink OHC liner, Klusons with white plastic buttons, bound f/b: I/N Auction 8/2007 : 1962 : 88909: RB-180 . "F" Style mandolins have a carved nautilus shaped curl on the upper left-hand bout. B-series Factory location: Grand Street, New York City from 1972 to 1973. side of the top of the peghead (see last set of pictures below). The somewhat radical headstock shape was discontinued at Gibson with the Mark Series but appears to have been an influence on the young Paul Reed Smith who later used a similar shape for his electric instruments. Knob changes usually following other Gibson electrics. Check out our banjo decal selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our bumper stickers shops. Example: U8034853 U = Unsung, 8 = 1998, 03 = March, 4853 = manufacturing number. It's difficult to positively identify the manufacturer of these . Information gathered from many sources but there are a few that need to be acknowledged: Dan Beimborns original Mandolin Pages web site and later contributions to the Mandolin Archive. They did provide paper labels for the instrument that they represented but did not provide labels for custom instruments or other shops or manufacturers. For example, one head might sound right for one player on a five string banjo, but be disappointing on another players tenor banjo. Introduced 1967, Basically an more economical LG-0. A: One of the easiest ways to determine the age of your banjo is to inspect the serial number, if it has one. peghead shape. At least then you will know the model name. Mythology has it that the Southerner Jumbo was specifically targeted at the Southern market honoring rising Country music trends. It appears that many mandolin owners of earlier models chose to upgrade their bridges to the fancy new adjustable models after 1921. Many have no identification at all. Heads have different effects on different kinds of banjos. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/276603. gibson one-of-a-kind Christmas banjos! They are maintained by Donna LoPrinzi in Clearwater Florida. The back braces were tall and thin and Gibson scalloped the top braces. Scott Zimmerman may be able to shed some light on this. Our 19th Year * Sign Up Now Most information about Larson Brothers instruments comes from their catalog published around 1930. Information gleamed from the Mandolin Cafs website over the years. The hardshell case had a green or red silk lining. Identifying Vintage Guitars, Banjos & Mandolins - Acoustic Music The last of the Mark Series was built in 1979. C-series Factory location: Hinsdale, New Hampshire from 1973 to 1979, D-series Factory location: West Sansei, New Hampshire from 1980 to 1981, The designation S refers to the body size: 2 & 3 (increasing with number value). PB -- plectrum banjo. Gibson RB-250 MASTERTONE 5-string RB250 - All Original with - Reverb.com PDF Gibson Banjo Construction Evolution It also had a black veneered headstock (front and back) and a black inlay in the back of the neck.