Factory numbers (when the exist) appear in pencil inside on the block where the neck meets the body. 2005-2023 acousticmusic.org. During the period of 1909 through 1920 Gibson produced large numbers of mandolins. I have never seen one like this in person or even a picture of one. The A.C. Fairbanks Company (incorporated 1875) was succeeded in 1903 by the Vega Company (established 1889). Yes, paging Scott to the Collector's Corner, please. It was the heart of the depression and the instruments cost $60 without a case. The banner only a Gibson is good enough logo is replaced with the old style Gibson script gold logo, The blond J-50 is introduced (limited until 1954), Bracing system changed: non-scalloped, low cut braces, Larger pickguard with point at upper bout, Headstock appointments: pearl logo inlay and crown added, Adjustable bridge saddle offered as an option called J-45ADJ. The later pickguard clamps have a stamped patent date of July 4, 1911. 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. The first two digits tell you the month the banjo was built, the last two digits before the dash or space will tell you the year, and the numbers . All Rights Reserved. The new design was thinner and much easier to handle and play. Alternates can range from standard designs out there in the banjo world, old or new, or a custom. MK-35-12 models were only made in 1977. This was expanded in 1935 to about 1/3 of the top area. 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. Gibson If you continue, we will assume that you agree to, http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/276603, 'Pisgah Banjo Co. raffle for Arnold Shultz Fund extended to March 10, 2023', 'Pisgah Banjo Company banjo raffle extended to March 10', 'Flinthill FHB-300 - Killer bluegrass banjo for the money! It was a refinement of the slope-shoulder design of the original Jumbo but slightly deeper: 4 13/16. Hard-case rugged and gig-bag light! ss stewart presentation banjo - Google Search. Gretsch used a new serial format showing: Month/Year/Production Number (3-4 digits), stamped as follows: Its not clear whether the 3-4 digit production number is the total production for the month or for the year. 1973 $895 L-5S a few instruments shipped and cherry sunburst is the only available finish. Banjo Headstock Designs. The birch sides and back were stained red. 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. They were popular with the Cowboy Singing Stars like Bob Baker (National Barn Dance WLS). . The 1975 price was $549. 1976 $929 In June of 1976 the price rose to $999, and two new finishes were added: tobacco sunburst and natural maple. Identification: "A" Style mandolins were symmetrical and shaped like a teardrop. Wiley Morris of the Morris Brothers Hillbilly Band and Charlie Monroe (Bill Monroes brother) took to the instrument for its potential in the roots of Bluegrass music. To most people all banjos look (and sound) the same. 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. Starting in 1977, Gibson adopted the current date-based serial system which codes for the year and day of production. These had black plastic laminate headstock overlays with Bacon engraved in blockletters and a small, metal plate engraved Bacon Folk Model. It appears to be all original except for the bridge, which appears to be a banjo bridge crudely slotted for 8 strings, and the head, which is probably plastic. http://www.mugwumps.com. During 1880-1890 Fairbanks joined with William A. Cole, a successful performer and teacher, and produced approximately 9000 banjos as Fairbanks & Cole. 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. In 1987, after the Gretsch family had re-acquired their name, re-introduced the B&D Silver Bell but the market didnt seem to care. Post war logo, 1947/8 to '60s found on various guitar like Melody Maker, Les Paul Jr, Special, Lg0, Lg2, Sg Jr, Special, ecc, ecc.Note the dot link to G. '70 Gold logo - Decal instead silkscreening. 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. Similar to A, but with double purfling on the soundhole. Not many were sold and the production run was therefore limited to 2 years. This is a high-quality instrument. and What's it sound like? The 1975 price was $879. Where possible, these numbers are in agreement with existing sales receipts. The headstock had a black wood face veneer. 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 appointments roughly followed the Southerner Jumbo but the design was primarily electric: it had a 3-ply top with ladder bracing to reduce the low-end response for the single coil pickup placed at the base of the fretboard. Factory Order Numbers (FON) in the 2800s to 2900s and 300s to 500s and some in the 600-800s and 1000s range. It is most common after 1923 when most Gibson model As had this shape. The following versions evolved quickly to 14 frets clear of the body. It is not clear how Gibson decided to set their nut widths and neck thicknesses. Find the worth of your vintage banjo from 1920s to 1970s. Huber Banjos offers our new owners the option of either customizing one of our stock models, or "designing your own dream banjo" from among the various wood and metal configurations, and the many . It would surprise me if there were 12 of those made as K banjos, however. Some SJNs with plastic Special Bridges. It appears that many mandolin owners of earlier models chose to upgrade their bridges to the fancy new adjustable models after 1921. The first number of the sequence indicates the decade of production, followed by the three digit day of the year, and finally the year. S2M, size 2 guitar with mahogany back & sides. About Larrive Guitar Labels It was built for Hollywood singing star Ray Whitley as the worlds biggest and fanciest acoustic guitar. B&D models stopped around 1968 following Baldwins (Gretschs parent company) 1967 purchase of the ODE company. 340 Rosewood back & sides, MOP, colored wood appointments & a Tree-of-Life fretboard inlay. The top and back are lightly arched, producing the deepest measurement in the center of the guitars body. No binding, no inlay and no decoration. They didnt sell well but did live up to their design intent of a heavier, booming tone with good overall balance. See Martin Serial Numbers for a dating information. It took Gibson 2 years to develop their response: The Jumbo of 1934. F Style mandolins have a carved nautilus shaped curl on the upper left-hand bout. New Location: side of the top of the peghead (see last set of pictures below). The model started production in 1938 as Gibsons top-of-the-line flat top guitar. The concept behind the J-45 was a high quality, affordable, big-sounding acoustic flat-top guitar. Yet somehow, there's a certain cool factor to this one. Known Problems with Gretschs Serial Number System: Due to the various renumbering schemes, there are Gretsch-built Bacons and B&Ds with 3 digit, 4 digit and 5 digit serial numbers, which confuses identification of instruments made between 1910 and 1940. See also: Gibson J-160E for more historical context. The pickguard was longer than earlier models and it had a moustache bridge (though slightly smaller and less ornate than that used on the SJ-200). The soundboard was so large and the body so deep that the sound was immense. These were Gibsons first flat-top cutaways. The aluminum shell was chrome plated with 24 chrome-plated brackets. The Gibson Southerner Jumbo was introduced in 1942 and discontinued in 1978. If the serial number is legible the instrument can be relatively easy to date. Gibson Banjo Serial Number Factory Order Number Information; Pre-war banjos, Flathead, Mastertone. 562 Standard size with rosewood back & sides, MOP and colored wood appointments. The binding on the top is b/w. At the time, the Nick Lucas model was the largest flat-top Gibson offered. A head on a long neck open back banjo might sound completely different on a 12-string banjo. The neck was basically the neck stocks from the L-5 archtop: 3 ply maple with single wide bound scalloped fretboard ends and headstocks and the early models had the L-5 flowerpot inlay on the headstock. Bound rosewood fingerboard with small fret wire, clamshell tail piece with Morris inscribed. Banjo not included or available. The Gibson LG series of flat-top guitars were developed as the natural evolution of the earlier L-Series. Gold War era logo - This type is called "Banner logo". On rare occasions, some dates can be found on . Another useful There is a steel tone ring on the maple rim, and the rim has a maple cap. Ironically, the script logo on the headstock was old-style. Gibson hoped to score the same type of success that had occurred with Lloyd Loar in the 1920s: redefining the acoustic guitar for generations to come. The back and sides were Brazilian rosewood and the tops Adirondack red spruce. Bridges: Ebony Sometimes with a flattened pyramid rectangular bridge shape. Headstocks say LoPrinzi. Labels say: A. (Folk Jumbo Natural and Folk-25). Use them in commercial designs under lifetime, perpetual & worldwide rights. They did not imprint the instruments with any particular brand. What's the history on the this jo, are you the original owner? The J-160E was Gibsons second design for an electric flat-top guitar following the CF-100. They were too late Gibson owned the market and the Martins were dropped 6 years later having only sold about 540 combined. First factory order number (FON) on neck block of J45s in 1942 was 907 and 923. It's always made of hardwood such as ebony and makes up the front-facing top half of the banjo's neck. Gibson needed to revitalize its lineup of flat-top guitars the LG-Series was born. Cherry Sunburst is still available. The following are a rough guide. The 1934 version had a classic Gibson sunburst: the small amber center around the bridge about 1/4 of the top area. Most information about Larson Brothers instruments comes from their catalog published around 1930. Mid 1921 through late 1930s: larger base with 2 feet, 3/8 adjustment wheels and wooden compensated bridge top. Though it was discontinued in 1942, the last Advanced Jumbo left the Kalamazoo plant in 1940. 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. Heads have different effects on different kinds of banjos. It would have helped if the Larson brothers had sequential serial numbers but there is just enough contradictory evidence to prevent one from trusting numbers that appear to be sequential. teachers who sold them to students, some of which are tagged with the name of These bridges had movable saddles up to about 1917 when they changed to a one-piece compensating bridge design through early 1921. There is a utility market though. of their later banjos had elite tailpieces, Orpheum-like hardware, and long, For example: B&D had several un-numbered models between 1913 and 1920. Gretsch appears to have started a new numbering system at about that time. The top and back bindings were black plastic. Manchester University, Instruction * ConcertsJams * More cases they carry no identifying name at all. LoPrinzi Guitars Plainsboro, New Jersey AMF years (serial numbers: high 3,000 4,000s) Tom LoPrinzi was still with the company. Why not post a little tune with it. Art Studios. According to the Gibson catalog, natural finish was the only option in 1939 but we are told that at least 2 examples exist of a cherry sunburst from the same period. Some laminated maple necks with two walnut stripes down the center (5 piece neck), most with no truss rod (war time meallocations), Neck shape large and round (Baseball Bat) due to lack of truss rod, Poplar neck blocks. The name variations included Bacon and Day and B&D for all the instruments co-developed by Fred Bacon and David Day. To accommodate the pickup, the standard production neck was pushed up to a neck-body joint at the 15th fret. Then Gibson developed the adjustable bridge. Some early necks were cherry before 1912. CLR, Classic guitar with Indian rosewood back and sides, decorated binding, gold tuners. Kluson tuners no longer had circle stamp (exposed gears riveted instead of screwed in place) and shaft size of 7/32 to save wartime metal. There was some amber color. Design your own Huber Banjo. The system is not known for certain but might have restarted as consecutive numbers beginning at 1000. Ohio banjo player Steven Moore has his first solo project, Just a Little Talk with Myself, just recently released. S2R3H, identical to S2R, but with 3-piece back, full herringbone purflings, gold tuners. In 1893, he patented a banjo neck fitted with a channel for the 5th string to pass through so it could be tuned at the headstock instead of its usual location. The public seems to have favored this shape over time as it fetches better prices now. White from 1928 to 1943/44. It had binding on front, back, soundhole and the fretboard; The Gibson inlaid into the headstock and a better grade of spruce top. Thanks for the history, I always love the story. Take a closer look at the serial number found on the back of the headstock and reference the guide below. As for how I came to own the instrument, my grandmother's cousin was an instrument collector. This makes up for the shallow break angle, and also does away with string trees, which are not needed in this case. Any dealer would want to find this as part of an estate sale and put it out to see what the market would bear - but none would have high hopes for its value. Start your day off right, with a Dayspring Coffee CONTACT US; Headstock Shape. peghead shape. Many banjo manufacturers, in addition to making banjos under their own names, Prairie State instruments have the patented rod and/or tube reinforcing, occasionally found on other Larson built guitars. S3M, Size 3 guitar with mahogany back & sides. The last 4 digits are a neck number. Example: U8034853 U = Unsung, 8 = 1998, 03 = March, 4853 = manufacturing number. Prices were typically 30-40% more than other Gibson solid bodies; the Les Paul Recording, LP Custom and SG Custom. 1959: Larger crown frets and the adjustable bridge. It is not clear how many were made, but it is likely that there are less than 12. It was available in red, black or two-tone sunburst finish, fleur-de-lis under The Gibson; Handel inlaid tuner buttons prior to 1916 (WWI) with a dotted + in each button. Some examples had the black (skunk) strip down the middle of the top similar to the Southerner Jumbos. (The 1st year of the J-45 actually had similar appointments but they were reduced and simplified for model clarity in 1943). Customers can choose from these shapes or provide an alternate. 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. They were now able to get better materials. Take your playing to the next level with the help of a local or online banjo teacher. The bracing was revised to accommodate the moustache bridge and generally heavier than earlier models. George Gruhns Guide to Vintage Guitars by George Gruhn and Walter Carter. The early instruments built in Nashville suffered from inexperienced workers and climate-control problems in the humid South. Gibson introduced their first adjustable belly bridge 2 screws to raise and lower the bridge. 1934 was in the depth of the depression, and at $60 without a case, most families put food ahead of guitars. MK-72 models were rosewood back & sides, 3 piece ebony/rosewood fingerboards with dot inlays & nickel hardware. The fingerboard was rosewood with 9 inlaid position markers. Instrumental. Where no serial numbers are shown they simply are not known. Kay company banjos were normally not that high-quality but this one is different. Headstocks say LoPrinzi. Larger 2.25 wide by .140 laminated maple bridge plates replace 1 7/16 x .125 solid maple bridge plates, Change the body shape to square shoulder dreadnaughts, Injection molded .075 thick styrene pickguard replaces the older .025 thick celluloid pickguard, Plastic bolt-on bridge replaces the rosewood bridge, White pickguard with Gibson logo screwed down to the top. The sunburst finish was generally $30 less than natural finish. The following site helps identify the labels with the date and location of production: All Gurian Guitars have serial numbers stamped on the neck block in characters visible through the soundhole. Mid 1950s: the pickguard changed from the teardrop to the larger undulating shape like the pre-war J-35s. Edited by - mikehalloran on 12/27/2013 17:30:00, Charles in SC - Posted-12/27/2013: 20:38:42. Internally, changes from the J-35 included strengthening the top bracing by moving the X brace 1 additional inch behind the soundhole. J-L. M. N-P. Q-Sch. tailpieces (see fourth row of pictures below) on many of their unmarked banjos, and their The more economical Student Grade instruments were often ladder braced. It was basically a slope shoulder dreadnaught like a J-45 or Southerner Jumbo and designed for the country and western market. Martins 1st steel string: 1922, 18 Mahogany body after 1917, no volute on headstock, 40 Rosewood body, MOP top & soundhole but not neck base, 41 Rosewood body, MOP top & soundhole but not neck base, 1969+ D-only, 42 Rosewood body, MOP top, soundhole & neck base but not sides, 45 Rosewood body, MOP top, soundhole, neck base & sides, S (1967 on) 12 fret neck, slotted headstock, Dyer (1906 1923?) . The 1975 price was $1,999. 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. If1970s, would be Japanese, more likely. which do not feature a paper label. bands even in the early 1890s. Mythology has it that the Southerner Jumbo was specifically targeted at the Southern market honoring rising Country music trends. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/276603. identify the manufacturer of these banjos in many cases, but some identify It will be interesting of one of the BHO members has a vintage Kay catalog with that particular banjo. I removed the resonator today and there is a hand written number 8 and that's it. Intermediate Grade and Best Grade were generally X braced with laminated braces for added strength. On 12 fret to the body guitars, in a break with tradition, the Larson brothers frequently inlayed the 10th fret instead of the ninth. It was available with a brown finish and came as a snakehead or paddle headstock. Rated 5.00 out of 5. The Jumbo 55 (J-55) was introduce in late 1939 and discontinued in 1942. Unfortunately, the information is confusing and inconsistent. Acoustic Guitars. There was a line of black inlay (or ebony layer) along the centerline of the back of the neck. A2-Zs were theoretically made during the Loar period of 1921-25, but only between 1923 and 1924. The 1934 was single bound, front and back with dot markers on the rosewood fretboard and a horizontal script logo inlay on the headstock. The bridge were early simple rectangular with through-saddles. gibson one-of-a-kind Christmas banjos! The pot fairly screams Iida to me. They had dot markers on the fretboard and a moustache bridge with individual adjusters on each string. The first group in late 1936 had larger soundholes and long scales: 25 1/2. Sometimes (rarely) the labels are easy to read: the model and serial numbers hand-printed in ink and sometimes the information was written in pencil and is now barely legible. Skip to main content. Neck: mahogany single piece. There were 1424 made. Plectrum. It became the working mans choice and one of the most enduring instrument designs in history. Even the group of inexperienced entreprenuers could see and understand the value of the Gibson name. In some cases there are no pickguards. An entire bin was a "lot" and would contain Higher numbers also meant more money. I own the book and have found it to be an invaluable resource in identifying these old guitars. It's difficult to positively identify the manufacturer of these . It was available with a Snakehead and had a shaped fingerboard extension. There were 2 tone bars and a treble side X brace with a 102 degree angle about 1 below the 4 soundhole. Early 1970's block shaped no dot over the "i" closed "b" and . I would sure like to hear what it sounds like. 585 Grand Concert: rosewood back & sides, MOP, colored wood appointments and a Tree-of-Life fretboard inlay. Dimensions: 16 wide, 10 1/4 long and 4 1/2 deep. Ebony Fretboards were generally thicker than other builders. Similar to an A2 except for the top color: an orange top in the teens, and a white top (refrigerator-top) in the late teens and early twenties. Rettberg & Lange (1898-1920) banjos were initially similar to Buckbee-made The body dimensions basically match the LG-series: 14 1/8 wide by 19 1/2 long by 4 1/2 deep. 2: The Histories of Cool Guitars". Each type of banjo head has a unique contribution to your banjo's tone. DVD-quality lessons (including tabs/sheet music) available for immediate viewing on any device. The exceptions were in 1979/1980 when the very fine Flying VII and active Les Paul Artist models were available; both were between $50 and $100 more, and were deleted almost as quickly as they dbuted. Have a vintage Harmony guitar? Our 19th Year * Sign Up Now A simpler variation on the SJ-200 with fewer appointments and a lower price tag was the SJ-100. They had owner applied pick guards and multi-bound backs and tops (including red line highlights). The original partners were Fred and Cassie Bacon and Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Winship. The last of the Mark Series was built in 1979. It was the heart of the depression and the instruments cost $60 without a case. Headstocks of US models also use the Gibson headstock shape. The name evolved from De Luxe Jumbo to Super Jumbo in 1939, and then to the Super Jumbo 200 (reflecting the price at the time, the case would be $28 extra). The tuners cogs are peened on the shafts (the peening sometihas a waffle design). Serial number records exist for instruments built before 1975 and after 1980. Generally harp guitars, L.H. Bodies: Rosewood, oak, mahogany, koa and maple. GB -- guitar banjo. Pearl dots on fretboard. Most Gold-plated tuning gears, LOTS of abalone inlay. Worthy of mention is the Jumbo Deluxe, though it is believed that only 3 were ever made in 1938. The final production versions had a double-braced red spruce top and rosewood back and sides with a sunburst finish. The electronics cover on the back was matching solid figured maple. The centerline of the neck had the black inlay. Pearl twin parallelogram inlays, Bridges: Rosewood belly-down. Some FONs for 1942 include 7116-7119, 7434, 7705, 7721, 907, 910, 923, 928, 2004-2006, 2059, 2098, 2110, 2119. They didnt sell well but did live up to their design intent of a. heavier, booming tone with good overall balance. I'll have to record it and post a tune. Gibson developed the truss rod in 1921. Dreamstime is the world`s largest stock photography community. It is the only typical American (USA) instrument, starting off as an instrument of the African slaves, then via the Minstrel Shows becoming part of typical American music styles like Jazz, Dixieland, Bluegrass, etc. The L-series is very difficult to properly identify and date as they were inconsistent in their appointments and the catalog descriptions do not always agree with the actual instruments produced. The first Gibson J45 guitars were only slightly different from the discontinued J-35.

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