By the end in 1985-86, Gibson was basically down to the Les Paul model alone. 541 Concert: rosewood back & sides with colored wood appointments. The grade of top wood was tighter grained. An entire bin was a "lot" and would contain The headstock carried an inlayed script Gibson. The model started production in 1938 as Gibsons top-of-the-line flat top guitar. 1940: #1 or #001 to 1965: approximately #84xxx. The final production versions had a double-braced red spruce top and rosewood back and sides with a sunburst finish. The necks were 1-piece mahogany V shape with a Brazilian rosewood fretboard at 12 radius. Gibson TP-6 tailpiece became standard. Serial number records exist for instruments built before 1975 and after 1980. Heads have different effects on different kinds of banjos. Neck: mahogany single piece. which do not feature a paper label. LoPrinzi Guitars Plainsboro, New Jersey AMF years (serial numbers: high 3,000 4,000s) Tom LoPrinzi was still with the company. 156137I know this is a mandolin forum, but the admins suggested I start here. In some cases, teachers would Date Your Harmony - Harmony Guitars the teacher or distributor. S. S. Stewart Guitars Born of a Banjeau Maker These bridges had movable saddles up to about 1917 when they changed to a one-piece compensating bridge design through early 1921. The Gibson LG series of flat-top guitars were developed as the natural evolution of the earlier L-Series. I'm kind of with Bob on the Korea origin - almost screams Sam Ickfrom the 1980s to me - except that it's a little understated and the finish isn't as thick as you normally see on a Samickpresentation banjo. The body dimensions basically match the LG-series: 14 1/8 wide by 19 1/2 long by 4 1/2 deep. If you count the plies in the rim it is about 12 or 13 which is what I have seen in a lot of Asian banjos. in the third row of pictures below: Lyon & Healy (1864-1940) made many grades of banjos in many styles, Tuners, hardware and tailpieces were probably purchased from Lyon and Healy who had a factory just down the street from the Larson shop. Schall hardware is pretty unique and the fifth Help identifying an old banjo - Mandolin Cafe Late 1930's Thicker Gibson Logo. 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 . The soundboard was so large and the body so deep that the sound was immense. The promotional material in the Gibson catalog of 1934 said: This greater body size produces a heavy, booming tone so popular with many players who do vocal and small combination accompaniment for both personal and radio appearances. Timing is everything In 1969 the Gibson parent company: Chicago Musical Instruments (CMI) was acquired by the South American brewing conglomerate: E.C.L. MK-72 models were rosewood back & sides, 3 piece ebony/rosewood fingerboards with dot inlays & nickel hardware. It was basically a slope shoulder dreadnaught like a J-45 or Southerner Jumbo and designed for the country and western market. Information gleamed from the Mandolin Cafs website over the years. These instruments live a bit outside that critique. 1955: Gibson stopped scalloping the bracing it was faster to produce but not as strong. It is not clear how Gibson decided to set their nut widths and neck thicknesses. Use them in commercial designs under lifetime, perpetual & worldwide rights. The second type of headstock, as you can tell by its name, is the angled or tilted-back headstock. 1934 was in the depth of the depression, and at $60 without a case, most families put food ahead of guitars. This technique of supplying interchangeable saddles/bridges was not new, it had been used by Selmer in France for their Maccaferri style instruments since the 1930s. 292 Old Banjo Stock Photos, Images & Pictures - Dreamstime During the period of 1909 through 1920 Gibson produced large numbers of mandolins. Knob changes usually following other Gibson electrics. MIDWEST BANJO CAMPJune 1-4, 2023New Manchester, IN 15 Mahogany top, back & sides no binding, 17 Mahogany top, back & sides bound top. $80 in depression era dollars was beyond the means of most people of the time but 300+/- were built during its 3 year production run. The strings are tightly wound at the headstock so the banjo player can form cords along the fingerboard. He was also a guitar enthusiast with a passion for physical and psycho-acoustics. Martin introduced their versions of acoustic-electrics: the D-18E in 1958 and D-28E in 1959. Never seen one with an inlay on the back of the neck. Introduced August 1942 and J-45s are still available today. Thanks for the history, I always love the story. Manchester University, All Forums F Style mandolins have a carved nautilus shaped curl on the upper left-hand bout. Larrivee Serial Numbers (approximate). This peghead is found on low end, turn of the century, Lyon & Healy banjos, often with the L&H or Mystic brand stamped into the strut. What Does My Banjo's Serial Number Tell Me? - Deering Banjo Company The above Peghead Shapes are existing patterns. $ 5,719.00 $ 5,149.00. Between 1934 and 1938, Gibson only offered the sunburst finish. Epiphone Serial Number Lookup - Authority Guitar Dark stained plain birch back and sides. Acoustic Guitars. 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. As for how I came to own the instrument, my grandmother's cousin was an instrument collector. Neck s/n DA5063 with L&B headstock inlay: T. Biggs : 1932 : 66-1: PB-3 : Shipped August 7, 1935: Gibson Shipping Ledger : 1932 : 66-2: PB-3: Flathead: 1-piece: J-L. M. N-P. Q-Sch. Martin introduced the large body dreadnaught in 1932 It was bigger, bolder, and louder than anything Gibson had to offer. It is, therefore, not unusual to find older mandolins with replacement bridges. Most old Hfners do not have serial numbers. 1980 $1249 By late 1980, the Gibson deluxe tuners with Crank button, and Posi-Lok strap button were added. CLB, Classic guitar of Brazilian rosewood, gold tuners. The sides and back were tinted mahogany with a sunburst red spruce top. Mismanagement was so severe during the final Norlin years that the Gibson Guitar Corp. was within 3 months of going out of business when it was bought by young Harvard Business grads: Henry E. Juszkiewicz, David H. Berryman and Gary A. Zebrowski in January of 1986. Gibson had changed its neck profiles and headstock shape on the successful J-Series. 587 Similar to 585 but with pearl (vs ivoroid) tuner buttons. Ss. 1976 $929 In June of 1976 the price rose to $999, and two new finishes were added: tobacco sunburst and natural maple. In any event, these should be used only as a guide and not assumed to be absolutely correct. Banjo Identification No Name Models - Mugwumps Worthy of mention is the Jumbo Deluxe, though it is believed that only 3 were ever made in 1938. There were many name variations for The Bacon Banjo Company, Inc. but it remained in Fred Bacons name from 1920 until the company closed in 1938. banjo headstock identification - voxu.group 14" resonator on the banjo examined is probably non original (Korean). GB -- guitar banjo. Ironically, the script logo on the headstock was old-style. How to ID vintage Gibson banjos? - The Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum CONTACT US; Headstock Shape. 3 special model, serial number 8382, New York, circa 1920s, intricate abalone shell inlay to fingerboard and headstock which also bears the Company logo. When it came out in 1942 it was the most expensive Gibson flat-top in the line. Good size logs of spruce were government controlled during the war and were not easily available shortly after. Materials and methods of production were reviewed and revised. The later pickguard clamps have a stamped patent date of July 4, 1911. Bodies: Rosewood, oak, mahogany, koa and maple. It's difficult to positively identify the manufacturer of these . There was a line of black inlay (or ebony layer) along the centerline of the back of the neck. thin heel footprints as shown below in the second row of pictures: J. The appointments of the Southerner Jumbo included more top binding and an additional set of rosette rings. Gibson discontinued the A-3 around 1922. The ones up until 1924 had either at best a ball bearing tone ring -- spring loaded ball bearings with springs to keep the skin heads tight. Banjo not included or available. The top and back bindings were black plastic with red line highlights. Music Love. It was the heart of the depression and the instruments cost $60 without a case. That way I'll be sure to hear it, since I will get a heads up when you post. CLM, Classical guitar with mahogany back and sides. The bridge was a small rectangular block type with a through saddle. Late 1940's "i" touches the "G" on "Modern" non cursive/script Gibson Logo. The rosettes were simple white-black-white. The aluminum shell was chrome plated with 24 chrome-plated brackets. Identifying How Old Your Banjo Is (The Easy Way!) - Pro Music Vault I am the third owner, the previous owner researched it and, based on the serial number, headstock design and inlays declares it to be a 1976 Gibson RB 250 MASTERTONE model with the 20 hole metal tone ring. Pickguards between 1909 and 1921 +/- show a stamped patent date of Mar. Though it has gone through a number of refinements over the years, the basic design has not changed since. 593 Similar to 590 but with pearl (vs ivoroid) tuner buttons. Over time the J-35 braces began to appear scalloped. The FON is the only identification number on Gibson's lower grade models (like the ES-125, ES-140, J-160E, etc.) Our 19th Year * Sign Up Now They generally had birch or walnut back and sides sometimes flat and later (1904+/-) carved. How to customize a Huber Banjo; . Many banjo manufacturers, in addition to making banjos under their own names, It marked the beginning of a new era for Gibson. A head on a long neck open back banjo might sound completely different on a 12-string banjo. Laminated maple back and sides is discontinued (FON batch 2828 used maple back and sides). The Advanced Jumbo has been described by some as the finest no compromises most powerful flat-top guitar Gibson ever designed and built. Your banjo is Asian made, likely Korea, but maybe Japan. The fingerboard of the L-5S is in with select abalone. For photographic examples of the Gibson Cf-100 and CF-100E Click Here. Then Gibson developed the adjustable bridge. The headstock face was veneered in black. Different Parts Of A Banjo: The Structure And Anatomy It was bound on the top, back, sides and around the fretboard. ARCHIVED TOPIC: VINTAGE BANJO IDENTIFICATION. The necks and heels were rounder. Identification: "A" Style mandolins were symmetrical and shaped like a teardrop. The best way to date Larrive instruments is by the instrument labels. Other singing cowboys who later owned Super Jumbos include Roy Rogers and Gene Autry. Where possible, these numbers are in agreement with existing sales receipts. Saga Bella Voce 70/80. This makes up for the shallow break angle, and also does away with string trees, which are not needed in this case. The centerline of the neck had the black inlay. The Southerner Jumbos were the most expensive flat-top guitars Gibson offered at the time. Gibson Banjos 1925 and Later: . 30, 1909. Vega Banjos - Deering Banjo Company Epiphone serial-number-information - identification ARCHIVED TOPIC: Vintage Kay Company Banjo - Need Help Identifying Model, Please note this is an archived topic, so it is locked and unable to be replied to. In 1923 it appears that Gibson began to assemble A-2s with left-over blonde tops from A-3s. Maybell was a Slingerland brand name. A2-Zs were theoretically made during the Loar period of 1921-25, but only between 1923 and 1924. 1959: Larger crown frets and the adjustable bridge. It would surprise me if there were 12 of those made as K banjos, however. You can buy the book here on Amazon and I would highly recommend it. In some cases, teachers would purchase these instruments and put their own names on them, but in many other cases they carry no identifying name at all. Google Play. Script Gibson logo, Fretboard: Twin parallelograms inlays unbound 19 fret. They were popular with the Cowboy Singing Stars like Bob Baker (National Barn Dance WLS). The 2nd delivery to Ray Whitley was the more refined 14 fret SJ that is so well photo-dicumented. The choice to discontinue the Mark Series had to do with the general turmoil of the Gibson company in the last years of ownership by Norlin. See also: Gibson J-160E for more historical context. A simpler variation on the SJ-200 with fewer appointments and a lower price tag was the SJ-100. Binding a Banjo Headstock - AcousticBox.com There are also examples of A-2Zs without the Z on the lable but still sporting the black perfling line. The LG-Series is 2 narrower than the J-Series. This is a strong playing. Mando-banjo identification [Archive] - Mandolin Cafe Forum Bridges: Ebony Sometimes with a flattened pyramid rectangular bridge shape. RB -- regular banjo (5-string) TB -- tenor banjo. Since that day in 1989, Deering has breathed new life into the Vega name, blending over a century of tradition with Deering's banjo building expertise, to create a range of heritage rich open back and longneck banjos that are as integral to the modern folk . Serial Search - Gibson 1908 into 1916: Elevated pickguards of plastic tortoise shell clamped to the body with a removable clamp and pinned to the bridge. 118 Midtown Ct # M It had binding on front, back, soundhole and the fretboard; The Gibson inlaid into the headstock and a better grade of spruce top. Since Spruce was needed for the war-time effort, some J-45s in 1943 have a mahogany top. No binding, no inlay and no decoration. Gretsch was contracted to make banjos for them. Aria Banjo Identification - mainefasr Semi-hollow guitar serial numbers are found inside the 'top' F-hole on a label. Rettberg & Lange (1898-1920) banjos were initially similar to Buckbee-made Format: 2 (Identifier) YY (Year) XXXX (Numerical ID) Example: Serial number . The Mark Series, though not a wild success in terms of overall sales, did sell reasonably well. Occasionally the labels have fallen out or been removed during repairs making it a bit trickier to date the instruments. This was quickly reduced to avoid model confusion between the J-45s and the more expensive Southerner Jumbos. Ebony Fretboards were generally thicker than other builders. Edited by - rfvelk on 12/26/2013 17:31:36, Blake507 - Posted-12/26/2013: 22:24:21. Augustino & Thomas LoPrinzi Guitars usually have the date of manufacture on the label. The headstock shape is very similar and it has the hexnut . Modern Gibson Logo open "b" and "o". Start your day off right, with a Dayspring Coffee If the serial number is legible the instrument can be relatively easy to date. 10 Common Guitar Headstocks Shapes Explained (2023) - Guitar Lobby It was the innovations of the Loar period: 1921 through 1925 that saw the introduction of the truss rod, adjustable bridges, bracing adjustments, thinning and grading of the tops and numerous other refinements to create the standards that are still used today. The original V shape of the necks of the J-35s was replaced by distinctly round necks (baseball bats) and a tear drop pickguard. Martin introduced the large body dreadnaught in 1932 It was bigger, bolder, and louder than anything Gibson had to offer. The further down the headstock the peg is, the shorter it will be. Vintage Kay Company Banjo - Need Help Identifying Model - Discussion Vintage Guitar - Parts and Identification - Hfner It appears that they experimented right up to the point of discontinuing the line. It is very showy though. F/FF = Factory code (No factory designator for some 1993 and earlier models) Y/YY = Year of manufacture (Single digit for some 1997 and earlier models) MM = Month of manufacture. These appear to be the easiest to find and quite reasonable to buy. 1916 into 1921: the pin to the bridge was dropped. Like everything else, we have seen exceptions to the listed dimensions; especially the nut widths. A maple, prewar style bluegrass banjo made like the classic banjos of the 1930's with the same materials and the same weight, design and features, the Golden Era is one of our most popular banjos for traditional bluegrass bands. The 1975 price was $879. The 1975 price was $1,999. 1946 onward: No feet the bottom of the bridge flush on the instrument top. Customers can choose from these shapes or provide an alternate. Even the group of inexperienced entreprenuers could see and understand the value of the Gibson name. Leland Brilliantone (1910 1918?). They didnt sell well but did live up to their design intent of a. heavier, booming tone with good overall balance. banjo headstock identification MIDWEST BANJO CAMPJune 1-4, 2023New Manchester, IN, 'Pisgah Banjo Co. raffle for Arnold Shultz Fund extended to March 10, 2023' 2 hrs, 'Pisgah Banjo Company banjo raffle extended to March 10' 2 hrs, 'Lost Indian: Samuel Bayard collection ' 3 hrs, 'Lost Indian: Samuel Bayard collection' 3 hrs, 'Flinthill FHB-300 - Killer bluegrass banjo for the money!' In the early years, due to the depression and the following wartime austerity, demand for this expensive instrument was limited and production quantities were small. There can easily be more numbers within each year listed. PDF Gibson Banjo Construction Evolution The early instruments built in Nashville suffered from inexperienced workers and climate-control problems in the humid South. After October 1930 the body and style designations and the serial number appears stamped on the neck blocks: Since the Larson brothers built guitars for many brand names, identification can be difficult, but there are a number of stylistic and structural building techniques that help narrow the exercise. Richard Schneider and assistant Abe Wechter acted as the on-site, full-time luthiers to collaborate and develop Kashas theories and bring them to a manufacturing reality. CUSTOMER SERVICE. (Numerical ID) Example: Serial number 0191456 = Harmony Standard Series guitar built in 2019. Generally harp guitars, L.H. The Aria 921C was a good quality 5-string banjo made in the early 1970s. set of identifying characteristics can be found at Why not post a little tune with it. Gibson Banjo Serial Number Factory Order Number Information; Pre-war banjos, Flathead, Mastertone. STONE BANJO CO - PEGHEAD SHAPES. At least then you will know the model name. It is important to note that there are exceptions to every rule and the following is only a general guide for identifying Gibson "A" Style mandolins. www.stonebanjo.com - Peghead Shapes The birch sides and back were stained red. GIBSON GARAGE FIND A DEALER GIBSON APP. bands even in the early 1890s. I would sure like to hear what it sounds like. Presentation banjos often turned up at NAMMand other shows. These were Gibsons first flat-top cutaways. The 31 year old part time musician has mostly been found on the contest stages in recent years, taking first in the National Bluegrass Banjo Championship twice, and in the RockyGrass, RenoFest . Free or royalty-free photos and images. Information compiled by Leonard Wyeth 2008, L Wyeth, Century General Introduced 1933 for the Century of Progress Exhibition @ $55. I have owned a beautiful Kay company banjo for over 30 years. The Gibson Southerner Jumbo was introduced in 1942 and discontinued in 1978. At the turn of the century, Orville Gibson was refining his notion of the superior mandolin: carved in the tradition of violins for greater volume and tone as well as comfort. Banjo Head Types and Descriptions - Deering Banjo Company Steel Guitar. For example, one head might sound right for one player on a five string banjo, but be disappointing on another players tenor banjo. 1890s into 1907: Inlaid into the top of the instrument. Identifying Unmarked Banjos - Bill's Banjos During 1942 two new models were introduced to the Gibson line-up to replace the J-35 and J-55. This information is approximate and has not been verified by the LoPrinzi family. The fingerboard was rosewood with 9 inlaid position markers. The braces were generally thin and numerous compared with other manufacturers. It is not clear how many were made, but it is likely that there are less than 12. They were well suited for orchestral arrangements as well as individual play and accompaniment. There are a few examples of A-2Zs with black tops, though this was probably used to cover some imperfection in the selected tops. Approximate Chronology (there are always exceptions): There were a few natural finished J-45N models made during 1942. During the period of 1902 to approximately 1909 the mandolins sported tailpiece covers with a curly top and internal white labels with an image of Orville Gibson holding a lyre mandolin. Western movies were tremendously popular and the singing cowboy heroes needed instruments as big and bold as untamed West. Gibson Banjo Serial Number Factory Order Number Information - Banjo Philes 1921 onward: Metal 90-degree pickguard support screwed into the body and additional screw to the neck. Pearl dots on fretboard. The bridge were early simple rectangular with through-saddles. Martin Guitars seemed to take note of the successful sales of the Gibson acoustic-electrics J-160E and CF-100Es. 1975 $899 The first catalog appearance of the L-5S was in the 1975 Gibson Solid Body catalog. peghead shape. Instrumental. A New Leaf from Steven Moore. 2. The last 4 digits are a neck number. Ohio banjo player Steven Moore has his first solo project, Just a Little Talk with Myself, just recently released. Wyatt Fawley's banjo, model for the "Retrotone" banjo design : 1949 : 3399-86 -100 : 1-piece: Dots : I/N Auction 2/2007 with flathead ring from 1963 RB180 and 1959 RB100 neck : 1949 : 3399-90: RB-150: . When he passed, my grandmother bought it for me from his brother who was attempting to liquify his collection. Some rectangular examples, black bridge pins (2 pearl dots on rectangle bridge), Headstock appointments: gold decal: Only a Gibson is Good Enough banner. There is a steel tone ring on the maple rim, and the rim has a maple cap. It was intended to be more affordable and more readily available than its main competition: the Martin D-18. The following are a rough guide. The passage of time confuses matters even further: They made some non-SilverBell models that had been developed in the 1930s that bore the B&D label like the Seniorita, and some later Gretsch SilverBells that carried only the Bacon label. Some FONs for 1942 include 7116-7119, 7434, 7705, 7721, 907, 910, 923, 928, 2004-2006, 2059, 2098, 2110, 2119. Labels say: A. By 1939 the 3 tone bar system was reduced to 2 tone bars and the angle of the X braces change to approximately 95 degrees. Please see the, Epiphone: Current Serial Number Information, Gibson J-35 & Advanced Jumbo Flat-top Acoustic Guitars, Gibson Jumbo Deluxe and J-55 Flat-top Acoustic Guitars, Gibson J-45 and J-50 Flat-top Acoustic Guitars, Gibson Southern Jumbos and Country Westerns, Gibson J-160E Flat-top Acoustic-Electrics, Gibson CF-100 Flat-top Acoustic-Electrics, Gibson MK Series Flat-top Acoustic Guitars, Gibson L-5S Solid Body Electric Guitars, Guitars & Stringed Instruments General Information, Care & Feeding of a Wooden Musical Instrument, Identifying Vintage Guitars, Banjos & Mandolins, 41530 Transition from 12 to 14 fret necks, 1 Banjos from various contracted builders, 2028 Earliest reference to Forrest Dale VT, 30620 Symphonie, Sultana, and Senorita introduced, 35341 Gretsch purchases Fred Bacon Banjo Company. There are some examples of two piece bodies used with the transparent or natural finishes. The 5th string is a crucial distinguishing characteristic of the five-string banjo, both in the instrument's appearance and in the sound of the music. There were 2 tone bars and a treble side X brace with a 102 degree angle about 1 below the 4 soundhole. Gibson needed to revitalize its lineup of flat-top guitars the LG-Series was born. A New Leaf from Steven Moore - Bluegrass Today identify the manufacturer of these banjos in many cases, but some identify Yet somehow, there's a certain cool factor to this one. It also had a black veneered headstock (front and back) and a black inlay in the back of the neck. The 1975 price was $439. Headstocks say LoPrinzi. purchase these instruments and put their own names on them, but in many other Factory Order Numbers (FON) include the 2100s to 2500s, The adjustable truss rod reappeared in 1944, Tuners cogs got slightly thicker and with beveled edges. Thanks for the feedback! New Location: ECL changed its name shortly afterwards to: Norlin Inc. for ECL president Norton Stevens and CMI president Maurice Berlin. Only about a dozen were made. Prices were typically 30-40% more than other Gibson solid bodies; the Les Paul Recording, LP Custom and SG Custom. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/276603. The fretboard was bound but without extension and The Gibson was stamped into the tailpiece cover. The bass of this model will amaze you, and of course the clear brilliant treble is in perfect balance. For once, the hyperbole may have been closer to the truth. Banjo Decal - Etsy
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