The original price in 1942 was $45. The decade following saw a change in finish from varnish to shinier lacquer. Example of custom shape is well represented below with the "Tennessee Banjo". Its difficult to positively
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 . The Mark Series, though not a wild success in terms of overall sales, did sell reasonably well. Some early necks were cherry before 1912. They are maintained by Donna LoPrinzi in Clearwater Florida. Prices were typically 30-40% more than other Gibson solid bodies; the Les Paul Recording, LP Custom and SG Custom. Some rectangular examples, black bridge pins (2 pearl dots on rectangle bridge), Headstock appointments: gold decal: Only a Gibson is Good Enough banner. Q: What is the first step in determining the age of my banjo? New Location:
It might be a Fairbanks or Stewart, but there is no name anywhere on the instrument. set of identifying characteristics can be found at
MK-35-12 models were only made in 1977. A head on a long neck open back banjo might sound completely different on a 12-string banjo. LoPrinzi Guitars most from Plainsboro New Jersey. The birch sides and back were stained red. The aluminum shell was chrome plated with 24 chrome-plated brackets. In 1935, binding was added to the fretboard. Alternates can range from standard designs out there in the banjo world, old or new, or a custom. Help identifying an old banjo - Mandolin Cafe Sunburst finish changes slightly: a cremona brown fading from the center amber to a reddish brown perimeter. 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). 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?) 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. Gibson had changed its neck profiles and headstock shape on the successful J-Series. mikehalloran - Posted-12/27/2013: 17:21:06. If you would like to use content from this page, see our Terms of Usage policy. During 1880-1890 Fairbanks joined with William A. Cole, a successful performer and teacher, and produced approximately 9000 banjos as Fairbanks & Cole. In 1941 the fretboard became Brazilian rosewood. I have never seen one like this in person or even a picture of one. This moved the X away from the soundhole a bit. They were now able to get better materials. The first group in late 1936 had larger soundholes and long scales: 25 1/2. Headstock Shape - Huber Banjos Leland Brilliantone (1910 1918?). The original V shape of the necks of the J-35s was replaced by distinctly round necks (baseball bats) and a tear drop pickguard. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Copyright 2023 Banjo Hangout. >I see no collectors market for banjos like yours.<. Then Gibson developed the adjustable bridge. Mid 1921 through late 1930s: larger base with 2 feet, 3/8 adjustment wheels and wooden compensated bridge top. themselves through common hardware and design characteristics. Pearl twin parallelogram inlays, Bridges: Rosewood belly-down. By the end in 1985-86, Gibson was basically down to the Les Paul model alone. Other singing cowboys who later owned Super Jumbos include Roy Rogers and Gene Autry. The name variations included Bacon and Day and B&D for all the instruments co-developed by Fred Bacon and David Day. However there were and are many different types, most of which can be found on this page. 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). 1980 $1249 By late 1980, the Gibson deluxe tuners with Crank button, and Posi-Lok strap button were added. 2. JM, jumbo size guitar with mahogany back & sides, chrome tuners. Between 1975 and 1979, Gibson worked with Dr. Michael Kashas acoustic theories for guitar and Luthier Richard Schneiders design applications to create a unique instrument for the Gibson acoustic lineup. You may, . expressed on the sides and back of the 1934 versions. CMI acquired Gibson around May 1944. The system is not known for certain but might have restarted as consecutive numbers beginning at 1000. Please read the section on J-35s and J-55s as the J-45s and Southerner Jumbos replaced the earlier models it was a natural evolution. 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! Unfortunately, the information is confusing and inconsistent. the teacher or distributor. What Does My Banjo's Serial Number Tell Me? - Deering Banjo Company It appears that many mandolin owners of earlier models chose to upgrade their bridges to the fancy new adjustable models after 1921. The body dimensions basically match the LG-series: 14 1/8 wide by 19 1/2 long by 4 1/2 deep. Bottom belly ebony bridge with pyramids on the wings, Silk-screened script @ 15 degrees +/-: The Gibson, 3 on a plate open gear tuners white or black buttons, Top and body becomes all mahogany amber finish, Extra bridge pin centered below 6 in a line, L-0 Flattened lower bout increased to 14, Reintroduced as the least expensive Gibson flat-top @ $25, Body depth 3 ? at the neck and 4 3/8 at the heel, Pearl dot makers and double dots on the 12th fret, Old script silk-screened diagonal logo: The Gibson or just Gibson, Some striped tortoise plastic pickguards after 1933, Some bright white plastic pickguards after 1933, L-00 introduced as Gibsons lowest price flat-top @ $37.50, Small round amber area of sunburst just below the soundhole, Striped tortoise plastic pickguards added, Dot position markers on the fretboard edge, A few with banner logos decals on the headstocks, Light amber top Sheraton brown back & sides, Old script silk-screened diagonal logo: The Gibson, Flattened lower bout increased to 14 (possibly, Soundhole, bridge and bracing moved to compensate, Similar to the L-00 but with heavier braces, Pearl dot fretboard markers double on 12, Gold sparkle inlayed around top & soundhole, Tailpiece adjustable bridge option discontinued, Speckled celluloid pickguard added as an option, Some had 2 top braces under the fingerboard extension vs. one, Rosewood fretboard rectangle inlays at 3, 5, 7, 9, 12 & 15, Pearl diamond inlays in the rosewood rectangles, Gibson pearl diagonal headstock inlay in rosewood, in Pearloid, Pearloid headstock veneer replace with rosewood, Bound headstock, pearl Gibson, pearl truss rod cover and notched diamond inlay, No headstock binding, black truss rod cover and elongated diamond inlay, Body depth 4 at the neck and 4 5/8 at the heel, Brazilian rosewood pyramid bottom belly bridge, The Gibson pearl angled logo inlayed on headstock, Nick Lucas Special white label with picture of Nick Lucas, 14 fret neck to body joints (phased in by this time), Trapeze tailpiece with adjustable bridge option. It had binding on front, back, soundhole and the fretboard; The Gibson inlaid into the headstock and a better grade of spruce top. 3 hrs, 'Pisgah 12 Builders Choice Custom Walnut Dobson 5+1 String Banjo' 3 hrs, 'Custom 12inch Billybilt Banjo w Figured Maple neck and Curly maple RIckard Pot and Balch head' 4 hrs, '11inch Billybilt Banjo with Antique Spunover SS Stewart Pot and Curly Maple neck' 4 hrs, I see no collectors market for banjos like yours.<, We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. 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. During 1942 two new models were introduced to the Gibson line-up to replace the J-35 and J-55. Width at nut 1 11/16, scale 24 3/4. Identification: "A" Style mandolins were symmetrical and shaped like a teardrop. Banjo not included or available. "F" Style mandolins have a carved nautilus shaped curl on the upper left-hand bout. Weve seen some serial number lists that are as much as 8 years out-of-sync with this list. Gibson discontinued the A-3 around 1922. Headstocks of US models also use the Gibson headstock shape. These appear to be the easiest to find and quite reasonable to buy. This makes up for the shallow break angle, and also does away with string trees, which are not needed in this case. The Aria 921C was a good quality 5-string banjo made in the early 1970s. Also, the first batch of J-45s had more binding both on the body and soundhole. A New Leaf from Steven Moore. 156137I know this is a mandolin forum, but the admins suggested I start here. Yuletide. Blake507 - Posted-12/26/2013: 15:42:17. Deering Gabriella 5-string banjo headstock. Binding a Banjo Headstock - AcousticBox.com They had dot markers on the fretboard and a moustache bridge with individual adjusters on each string. The Advanced Jumbo has been described by some as the finest no compromises most powerful flat-top guitar Gibson ever designed and built. banjo headstock identification new harrisonburg high school good friday agreement, brexit June 29, 2022 fabletics madelaine petsch 2021 0 when is property considered abandoned after a divorce The intent is to provide a rough dating guide. The back and sides were still mahogany but the Southerner Jumbo had a dark wooden stripe separating the 2 back pieces. Download Old Banjo stock photos. Collector's Corner
Information gleamed from the Mandolin Cafs website over the years. Ebony Fretboards were generally thicker than other builders. 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. Augustino LoPrinzi Guitar Maker Clearwater Florida (LoPrinzi name bought back from AMF) Instruments designed and built by Augustino and Donna LoPrinzi (daughter). The hardshell case had a green or red silk lining. All listed sizes are for 12 fret to body models: These dimensions were similar for all Larson made instruments. Late 1930's Thicker Gibson Logo. $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. Buy Prewar Gibson Banjo Online - Banjos for Sale This is the smallest model, chrome tuners. Brown or black finish, some binding only on the top and in the soundhole with one ring around the soundhole. Labels say: A. See more ideas about banjo, guitar inlay, ukulele. banjo headstock identification - assicurazione-casa.org Other attempts by Gibson to make-do with the materials available to them include laminated maback and sides finished in a dark mahogany stain and a few were built with a laminate maple back and a mahogany top. You'll find Epiphone serial numbers in the standard places. Some banjo . It will be interesting of one of the BHO members has a vintage Kay catalog with that particular banjo. Timing is everything In 1969 the Gibson parent company: Chicago Musical Instruments (CMI) was acquired by the South American brewing conglomerate: E.C.L. Though there appear to be exceptions, necks between 1912 and 1923 are 3-piece mahogany. Larrivee Serial Numbers (approximate). It was the heart of the depression and the instruments cost $60 without a case. 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. Late 1930s through 1942: ? adjustment wheels 2 feet and extensions on top of the base for the wheels. These were Gibsons first flat-top cutaways. David L. Day was in his 70s. In 1947 the name changed to the J-200 and the standard back and sides became highly figured maple. All Rights Reserved. Some rectangular examples, Headstock appointments: Decal Only a Gibson is Good Enough banner. This was quickly reduced to avoid model confusion between the J-45s and the more expensive Southerner Jumbos. To complicate matters, the Larson brothers appear to have used different numbering techniques for different brands that they supplied. S3R3H, Like S3R, with 3-piece back, full herringbone binding, gold tuners. The Southerner Jumbo (later shortened to: Southern Jumbo and then SJ) was a fancier J-45. Starting in 1977, Gibson adopted the current date-based serial system which codes for the year and day of production. . Customers can choose from these shapes or provide an alternate. Banjo serial numbers: During the 1920s, Gibson instruments were made in lots of 40s (for the most part, this procedure continues today). Where no serial numbers are shown they simply are not known. Lion Banjo Mfg Co - Rock Rapids, Iowa - S. Nathaniel Adams To confuse matters, they also manufactured Bacon banjos that had been developed by Fred Bacon: the Professional, the Orchestra and the Blue Ribbon. Though it was discontinued in 1942, the last Advanced Jumbo left the Kalamazoo plant in 1940. Introduced 1954, discontinued in 1978, reintroduced in the 1980s and still produced today. The fingerboard was rosewood with 9 inlaid position markers. Rettberg & Lange (1898-1920) banjos were initially similar to Buckbee-made
Neck: mahogany single piece. Google Play. Each type of banjo head has a unique contribution to your banjo's tone. 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. The electronics cover on the back was matching solid figured maple. Late 1974 gold covered recording pickups are replaced with humbuckers. Asian Banjos - L-Z - Fastie The above Peghead Shapes are existing patterns. Vintage Guitar - Parts and Identification - Hfner The bracing for the new larger models was X braced: there were 3 transverse tone bars between the braces 1 more than the Martin as Gibson experimented with bracing design heavy enough to support the large tops and light enough to be resonant and responsive. 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. The Southerner Jumbos were the most expensive flat-top guitars Gibson offered at the time. This is a headstock that tapers from narrow at the top to slightly wider at the base (the reverse of the traditional Gibson headstock shape). 1973 $895 L-5S a few instruments shipped and cherry sunburst is the only available finish. Other Banjo-Related Topics
The new design was thinner and much easier to handle and play. I just have a few questions. 1974 $895 This was the best sales year for the L-5S shipping 555 instruments. This can often be found on the back of the peghead or on the inside rim of the banjo. Larger top braces used, and bigger solid wood bridge plate and larger bottom-belly bridge. It is not clear how Gibson decided to set their nut widths and neck thicknesses. It is not clear how many were made, but it is likely that there are less than 12. Angled (Tilted-Back) Headstock. Research our price guide with auction results on 40 items from $35 to $2,928. You have your choice of 3 different peghead shapes. Acoustic Guitars. 1979 $1149 Antique Sunburst added to Fireburst, Cherry Sunburst and Natural. ARCHIVED TOPIC: VINTAGE BANJO IDENTIFICATION. Manchester University, All Forums
1970 onward: 1 piece maple. banjo headstock identificationleap year program in python using for loop. . The bridge were early simple rectangular with through-saddles. They did not imprint the instruments with any particular brand. Thinner cog gears with no bevel on the edge of the cogs. Vintage mandolin, guitar-mandolin or banjo-mandolin Occasionally the labels have fallen out or been removed during repairs making it a bit trickier to date the instruments. It was during the years of 1977 through 1986 that most of the high-end lines at Gibson were discontinued: The ES-350T, L-5S and the Mark Series among them. department to department had 40 cubbyholes. The J-160E was Gibsons second design for an electric flat-top guitar following the CF-100. DVD-quality lessons (including tabs/sheet music) available for immediate viewing on any device. GIBSON GARAGE FIND A DEALER GIBSON APP. For example: B&D had several un-numbered models between 1913 and 1920. Where possible, these numbers are in agreement with existing sales receipts. See Martin Serial Numbers for a dating information. Identification. Sometimes a higher model number means a bigger and fancier instrument but there does not appear to be a thoughtful of consistent method for ascribing model numbers. MB -- mandolin banjo. George Gruhns Guide to Vintage Guitars by George Gruhn and Walter Carter. In 1923 it appears that Gibson began to assemble A-2s with left-over blonde tops from A-3s. 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 strings are tightly wound at the headstock so the banjo player can form cords along the fingerboard. This is a "fit-all" banjo case. 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. The 1970s are viewed by many collectors and players as the low point of Gibson manufacturing. It was a refinement of the slope-shoulder design of the original Jumbo but slightly deeper: 4 13/16. 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. World War II changed many aspects of the guitar world. The further down the headstock the peg is, the shorter it will be. New Location:
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. The public seems to have favored this shape over time as it fetches better prices now. Martin Guitars seemed to take note of the successful sales of the Gibson acoustic-electrics J-160E and CF-100Es. 1916 into 1921: the pin to the bridge was dropped. Never seen one with an inlay on the back of the neck. I'm thinking it was made by the Iida folks for a NAMM show or something. made unmarked banjos for others to sell as well. Knob changes usually following other Gibson electrics. Most
Its price tag was $55 as compared to the Martin D-18 at $65 and D-28 at $100. 1921 early: 3/8 adjustment wheels, short base and aluminum compensated bridge top. This information is approximate and has not been verified by the LoPrinzi family. At least then you will know the model name. The back and sides were Brazilian rosewood and the tops Adirondack red spruce. Deering. Starting in 1923, models included: the Silver Bell, the Super Banjo and the Blue Bell. Introduced is the year of introduction. Martin introduced the large body dreadnaught in 1932 It was bigger, bolder, and louder than anything Gibson had to offer. The Lyon & Healy peghead shape used on most of
For example: In general: Bacon serial numbers begin in 1906 (1 and 2 digit) and run consecutively until the sale of the company to Gretsch in 1940 (5 digit). They were available in steel string or classical. Early 1970's block shaped no dot over the "i" closed "b" and . Epiphone Serial Number Lookup - Authority Guitar which do not feature a paper label. Higher numbers also meant more money. My understanding is that only 12 of these particular banjos were ever manufactured by Kay. Even the group of inexperienced entreprenuers could see and understand the value of the Gibson name. For example, the serial number 90237XXX corresponds to a production date of 1/23/97. The headstock had a black wood face veneer. 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. Late 1960's Gibson Logo around 1969 with no dot over the "i". Modern Gibson Logo open "b" and "o". The Mark Series guitars were particularly interesting among the Gibson flat tops made in the 1970s due to their unique bracing. The Gibson Super Jumbo first appeared in 1937. The Gibson stamped on tailpiece cover. ATLAS of Plucked Instruments - banjos 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. Naming the parts of a banjo. 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. (Folk Jumbo Natural and Folk-25). MK-81 models were rosewood back & sides, ebony fingerboard with figured abalone block inlays & gold plated hardware. Like all other companies, there are exceptions. A-3s had refrigerator white tops with a black perfling line, adjustable truss rods and adjustable bridges. 1972 L-5S launched, but shipping totals list no instruments being shipped until 1973. Approximate Chronology (there are always exceptions): There were a few natural finished J-45N models made during 1942. Different Parts Of A Banjo: The Structure And Anatomy 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. The flood of returning soldiers with a broader world-view brought new musical tastes and new hopes for the future.