This is a "fit-all" banjo case. Dimensions: 16 wide, 10 1/4 long and 4 1/2 deep. Dark stained plain birch back and sides. I have owned a beautiful Kay company banjo for over 30 years. Mid 1921 through late 1930s: larger base with 2 feet, 3/8 adjustment wheels and wooden compensated bridge top. The last 4 digits are a neck number. Gold War era logo - This type is called "Banner logo". There were 431 made. The neck is the long piece of wood that attaches to the banjo body that guides the strings along the instrument's fretting surface (called the fingerboard ). 1934 was in the depth of the depression, and at $60 without a case, most families put food ahead of guitars. Scott Zimmerman may be able to shed some light on this. Blake507 - Posted-12/26/2013: 15:42:17. Silkscreen logos - Low end models. Gretsch started a new serial number system. Buckbee (1861-1897) banjos can frequently be identified by their I doubt you'll find this in a catalog. They were now able to get better materials. Mythology has it that the Southerner Jumbo was specifically targeted at the Southern market honoring rising Country music trends. 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. It was bound on the top, back, sides and around the fretboard. Gibson Banjo Serial Number Factory Order Number Information; Pre-war banjos, Flathead, Mastertone. Depending on the selected source, there is disagreement about these numbers. A New Leaf from Steven Moore. Slanted mid 1940's Gibson Logo. The Gibson Company was formed in late 1902 and the early mandolins evolved from the original Orville Gibson designs. 562 Standard size with rosewood back & sides, MOP and colored wood appointments. Acoustic Guitars. 1955: Gibson stopped scalloping the bracing it was faster to produce but not as strong. Introduced August 1942 and J-45s are still available today. The fingerboard of the L-5S is in with select abalone. Martin introduced their versions of acoustic-electrics: the D-18E in 1958 and D-28E in 1959. 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. How to customize a Huber Banjo; . The Gibson LG series of flat-top guitars were developed as the natural evolution of the earlier L-Series. beautiful banjo. The neck was a broad round profile single piece mahogany with a bound coffewood fretboard and dot markers. There's a small snag in the outer pocket webbing - otherwise it's like new. It marked the beginning of a new era for Gibson. CONTACT US; Headstock Shape. Laminated maple back and sides is discontinued (FON batch 2828 used maple back and sides). Gibson changed the name again in the 1950s to the SJ-200. They were popular with the Cowboy Singing Stars like Bob Baker (National Barn Dance WLS). The tuners were individual Kluson with amber buttons. PB -- plectrum banjo. Some examples had the black (skunk) strip down the middle of the top similar to the Southerner Jumbos. Many banjo manufacturers, in addition to making banjos under their own names, made unmarked banjos for others to sell as well. The Gibson Southerner Jumbo was introduced in 1942 and discontinued in 1978. 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 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). You can buy the book here on Amazon and I would highly recommend it. Not many were sold and the production run was therefore limited to 2 years. The tuners cogs are peened on the shafts (the peening sometihas a waffle design). Some banjo . Headstocks of US models also use the Gibson headstock shape. 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 the heart of the depression and the instruments cost $60 without a case. Approximate Chronology (there are always exceptions): There were a few natural finished J-45N models made during 1942. LoPrinzi Guitars Plainsboro, New Jersey AMF years (serial numbers: high 3,000 4,000s) Tom LoPrinzi was still with the company. Gibson had helped in the war effort and seen many employees enlist. The first Gibson J45 guitars were only slightly different from the discontinued J-35. 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. Buy in monthly payments with Affirm on orders over $50. You may, . The focus of the site is antique and vintage banjos and mandolins, but there are . I just received this mando-banjo I bought on e-bay and I'm hoping someone can help me identify the builder. Thanks for any assistance you can provide. For example: The custom series of Epiphone Texans built with cooperation from Paul McCartney: some were built in Bozeman Montana and some in Japan. 2: The Histories of Cool Guitars". Even the group of inexperienced entreprenuers could see and understand the value of the Gibson name. 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. Format: 2 (Identifier) YY (Year) XXXX (Numerical ID) Example: Serial number . Between 1934 and 1938, Gibson only offered the sunburst finish. MIDWEST BANJO CAMPJune 1-4, 2023New Manchester, IN If1970s, would be Japanese, more likely. By 1936, with the depression still gripping the nation, Gibson moved to stay competitive and offer a more affordable option: The Advanced Jumbo (Advanced meaning that the size advanced: got bigger) with rosewood and fancier appointments that would compete with the Martin D-28 at $80 and the Jumbo 35 at $35 to compete with the Martin D-18. 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: . The Aria 921C was a good quality 5-string banjo made in the early 1970s. Ironically the first blond J-45s were actually built in July of 1942 (Called the J-45N for Natural) and the actual number of these shipped is not known for sure. Ironically, after almost 40 years of making some of the worlds finest banjos, the Bacon and Day banjos were the first to carry David L. Days name. Maybell was a Slingerland brand name. 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. 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. side of the top of the peghead (see last set of pictures below). The 1934 version had a classic Gibson sunburst: the small amber center around the bridge about 1/4 of the top area. Our 19th Year * Sign Up Now The second type of headstock, as you can tell by its name, is the angled or tilted-back headstock. Yet somehow, there's a certain cool factor to this one. What's the history on the this jo, are you the original owner? Some FONs for 1942 include 7116-7119, 7434, 7705, 7721, 907, 910, 923, 928, 2004-2006, 2059, 2098, 2110, 2119. 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. A total of 2,477 J-35s were made according to Gibson records. See LG-0 for materials and dimensions. 541 Concert: rosewood back & sides with colored wood appointments. in the third row of pictures below: Lyon & Healy (1864-1940) made many grades of banjos in many styles, It was a refinement of the slope-shoulder design of the original Jumbo but slightly deeper: 4 13/16. 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. This can often be found on the back of the peghead or on the inside rim of the banjo. serial number impressed to verso, 60 cm long For sale for $50 cash, firm. For example: B&D had several un-numbered models between 1913 and 1920. 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. About Larrive Guitar Labels ARIA 921C. Heads have different effects on different kinds of banjos. These appear to have a unique serial number scheme. The hurricane of September 1938 destroyed the companys ability to manufacture anything. Ss. The decade following saw a change in finish from varnish to shinier lacquer. MK-35-12 models were only made in 1977. Gibson style one piece flange, probably zinc, also Gibson style flange brackets, 4 resonator screws. By 1941, either natural or sunburst were available. The 1970s are viewed by many collectors and players as the low point of Gibson manufacturing. Start your day off right, with a Dayspring Coffee All listed sizes are for 12 fret to body models: These dimensions were similar for all Larson made instruments. These had black plastic laminate headstock overlays with Bacon engraved in blockletters and a small, metal plate engraved Bacon Folk Model. Following many prototypes, shapes and bracing patterns, the Mark Series was launched in 1975. Here's the photo gallery that I put together:velkdesign.com/assets/banjo/. I have to say that it is most interesting. For example: Gretsch stopped production of Bacon and B&D banjos. USA produced Epiphones of this era bear standard Gibson serialization and include the Made in USA stamp on the back of the headstock. The Gibson stamped on tailpiece cover. The original Factory Order Numbers (FON) appear to show the first De Luxe Jumbos were delivered bewteen March and June of 1938 to Joe Wolverton, Ray Whitley and Gene Autry. There were some 1 3/4 nuts available. Mid 1950s: the pickguard changed from the teardrop to the larger undulating shape like the pre-war J-35s. MK-72 models were rosewood back & sides, 3 piece ebony/rosewood fingerboards with dot inlays & nickel hardware. In 1941 the fretboard became Brazilian rosewood. To complicate matters, the Larson brothers appear to have used different numbering techniques for different brands that they supplied. Occasionally the labels have fallen out or been removed during repairs making it a bit trickier to date the instruments. FLC, Flamenco guitar with Canadian cypress back and sides, friction pegs (machine heads on some examples). The fingerboard typically has inlays made of silver or steel. Art Studios. Prairie State instruments have the patented rod and/or tube reinforcing, occasionally found on other Larson built guitars. Headstocks of US models also use the Gibson headstock shape. It will be interesting of one of the BHO members has a vintage Kay catalog with that particular banjo. These can exist on any model numbers including the A-jr. themselves through common hardware and design characteristics. MK-99 models were handcrafted and signed by Richard Schneider. At least one model, the Epiphone Spirit, was manufactured in the USA during the early 1980s in the Gibson factory in Kalamazoo, MI. No serial numbers etc. The back braces were tall and thin and Gibson scalloped the top braces. 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. Starting in 1923, models included: the Silver Bell, the Super Banjo and the Blue Bell. Every banjo has a story. The fingerboard was rosewood with 9 inlaid position markers. $ 5,719.00 $ 5,149.00. ARCHIVED TOPIC: VINTAGE BANJO IDENTIFICATION. The first group in late 1936 had larger soundholes and long scales: 25 1/2. They are essentially an Advanced Jumbo with minor compromises: they filled a gap between the J-35 and the J-55. 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). When he passed, my grandmother bought it for me from his brother who was attempting to liquify his collection. Take your playing to the next level with the help of a local or online banjo teacher. The final production versions had a double-braced red spruce top and rosewood back and sides with a sunburst finish. This is the smallest model, chrome tuners. MK-81 models were rosewood back & sides, ebony fingerboard with figured abalone block inlays & gold plated hardware. 1974 $895 This was the best sales year for the L-5S shipping 555 instruments. 1952: The headstock gold decal logo was replaced by an inlayed pearl script and crown. Materials and methods of production were reviewed and revised. My understanding is that only 12 of these particular banjos were ever manufactured by Kay. To confuse matters, they also manufactured Bacon banjos that had been developed by Fred Bacon: the Professional, the Orchestra and the Blue Ribbon. I removed the resonator today and there is a hand written number 8 and that's it. It is, therefore, not unusual to find older mandolins with replacement bridges. The standard early Gibson A models had a soft V shaped neck. Gibson TP-6 tailpiece became standard. bands even in the early 1890s. The following are believed to be accurate known numbers: The following serial numbers are approximate at best. Generally harp guitars, L.H. They were too late Gibson owned the market and the Martins were dropped 6 years later having only sold about 540 combined. The following numbers are the earliest known serial number for the year listed. Only about a dozen were made. Q: What is the first step in determining the age of my banjo? The tradition had been Bug style mandolins: bowl-backs with flat or bent tops. 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. 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. They are very pricy at over $20.00 each, but worth it if you want . Numerous articles in Vintage Guitar Magazine over the years. 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. Gibson introduced their first adjustable belly bridge 2 screws to raise and lower the bridge. 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. Tuners, hardware and tailpieces were probably purchased from Lyon and Healy who had a factory just down the street from the Larson shop. As a vintage instrument dealer, I see no collectors market for banjos like yours. This was expanded in 1935 to about 1/3 of the top area. It worked. RRRR = Ranking number (may be more or less digits) Example: 3021234 = Samick Korea / 1993 / February / unit 1234. Kay company banjos were normally not that high-quality but this one is different. It had a 24 3/4 scale and was constructed of all solid woods. At least then you will know the model name. The appointments of the Southerner Jumbo included more top binding and an additional set of rosette rings. 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. Towards the end, the line actually continued to increase in sales. They did provide paper labels for the instrument that they represented but did not provide labels for custom instruments or other shops or manufacturers. In 1923 it appears that Gibson began to assemble A-2s with left-over blonde tops from A-3s. The introduction of a truss rod cover to the headstock caused the inlay patterns to adjust as well. A: One of the easiest ways to determine the age of your banjo is to inspect the serial number, if it has one. The first number of the sequence indicates the decade of production, followed by the three digit day of the year, and finally the year. Timing is everything In 1969 the Gibson parent company: Chicago Musical Instruments (CMI) was acquired by the South American brewing conglomerate: E.C.L. The one delivered first to Ray Whitley was not the model now seen as the beginning of the Super Jumbos, but a simpler 12 fret version. Manchester University, All Forums The original price in 1942 was $45. AMF ceased production of LoPrinzi guitars. Labels say: A. Factory Order Numbers (FON) in the 2800s to 2900s and 300s to 500s and some in the 600-800s and 1000s range. Where possible, these numbers are in agreement with existing sales receipts. CUSTOMER SERVICE. Gretsch appears to have started a new numbering system at about that time. The later pickguard clamps have a stamped patent date of July 4, 1911. The banjo's fingerboard is where the magic happens. 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?) Design your own Huber Banjo. The USA distributors in the 60s and 70s used their own serial number systems and we do . Banjo not included or available. set of identifying characteristics can be found at The financial strain became too much and the company sold in 1940 to Gretsch. Higher grade models (such as the Super 400, L-5, J-200, etc.) 1968: Changed to a bottom belly bridge and 1960 style pickguard, 1969: Changed to a square shoulder dreadnaught, Original version: solid mahogany back but laminated mahogany sides, 1 piece mahogany neck & 17 degree headstock angle, Bound Brazilian fretboard with trapezoid inlayed markers, Individual Kluson tuners with white buttons later: keystone Pearloid buttons, P-90 single coil pickup with adjustable pole pieces. Thanks for the feedback! They didnt sell well but did live up to their design intent of a heavier, booming tone with good overall balance. Similar to A, but with double purfling on the soundhole. (The 1st year of the J-45 actually had similar appointments but they were reduced and simplified for model clarity in 1943). The more economical Student Grade instruments were often ladder braced. They are maintained by Donna LoPrinzi in Clearwater Florida. I wouldn't be surprised if a few exist with other brand names. Our 19th Year * Sign Up Now The original V shape of the necks of the J-35s was replaced by distinctly round necks (baseball bats) and a tear drop pickguard. The Gibson stamped on tailpiece cover and inlaid in headstock. Dr. Michael Kasha was a chemical physicist and the director of the Institute of Molecular Biophysics at Florida State University. Take a closer look at the serial number found on the back of the headstock and reference the guide below. Headstocks say LoPrinzi. The individual artist's touch on the . made unmarked banjos for others to sell as well. Each model of the Mark Series was available in natural or sunburst finish. Style Designations (There are many exceptions to the following). banjos, not surprising since they bought out the Buckbee factory in 1898. 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. 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. better-grade offerings frequently had notched, rather than grooved stretcher Where no serial numbers are shown they simply are not known. Pearl dots on fretboard. Music Love. "F" Style mandolins have a carved nautilus shaped curl on the upper left-hand bout. Other similar details include: single-cutaway body, ebony fingerboard with block inlays, flowerpot headstock inlay, L-5 tailpiece with contrasting silver on gold with L-5 engraving (changed to TP-6 in 1978) and multilayer body binding throughout. Headstocks say LoPrinzi. 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. thurgood marshall school of law apparel Projetos; bubble buster 2048 town Blog; cell defense the plasma membrane answer key step 13 Quem somos; how to make a good elder scrolls: legends deck Contato; hillsdale college football. Introduced 1954, discontinued in 1978, reintroduced in the 1980s and still produced today. The Jumbos had a slight V shaped neck with the Gibson truss rod and a pointed French heal somewhat unusual for Gibson. Its not clear how it works during this period. It is not clear how many were made, but it is likely that there are less than 12. They had owner applied pick guards and multi-bound backs and tops (including red line highlights). Hand Engraving. They were well suited for orchestral arrangements as well as individual play and accompaniment. . 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. Gold-plated tuning gears, LOTS of abalone inlay. ', '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'. Features: Carved curly maple body, with ornate multilayer binding, laminated maple neck, ebony fingerboard with abalone block inlays, gold-plated hardware throughout, two gold plated pickups with separate volume and tone, three-way selector switch. 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. It might be a Fairbanks or Stewart, but there is no name anywhere on the instrument. Serial numbers are addressed elsewhere on the web site but can be found also on Gibsons website and George Gruhn & Walter Carters book: Gruhns Guide to Vintage Guitars. I'm thinking it was made by the Iida folks for a NAMM show or something. Like all other companies, there are exceptions. Body shape changed to square shoulder dreadnought. 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. There are a few examples of A-2Zs with black tops, though this was probably used to cover some imperfection in the selected tops. The binding on the top is b/w. There is a utility market though. The soundhole binding does not extend the full depth of the soundhole. The sunburst finish was generally $30 less than natural finish. The swing of a lathe is measured as the total diameter of a finished turned piece, such as a wood bowl. The above Peghead Shapes are existing patterns. Gibson. They were mahogany back & sides with single layer binding front and back. thin heel footprints as shown below in the second row of pictures: J. The story of how Greg Deering came to own the over 130 year old Vega trademark is one of childhood dreams and an unmissable opportunity. First factory order number (FON) on neck block of J45s in 1942 was 907 and 923. There are also examples of A-2Zs without the Z on the lable but still sporting the black perfling line. So, take a look and . The selected tuners varied randomly by model and year. In mid 1944 bookmatched two piece Sispruce tops reappear. The strings are tightly wound at the headstock so the banjo player can form cords along the fingerboard. Early 1970's block shaped no dot over the "i" closed "b" and . Knob changes usually following other Gibson electrics. Find the worth of your vintage banjo from 1920s to 1970s. The bracing was revised to accommodate the moustache bridge and generally heavier than earlier models. See also: Gibson J-160E for more historical context. target no need to return item. The neck heal had a white plastic cap. The Gibson CF-100 was introduced in 1950 (the CF-100E was introduced 1951) and discontinued in 1960. Identification: "A" Style mandolins were symmetrical and shaped like a teardrop. This information is approximate and has not been verified by the LoPrinzi family. The Kalamazoo plant kept going for a few years as a custom-instrument shop, including the Mark Series instruments, and was ultimately closed in 1984. MK-53 models were maple back & sides, rosewood fingerboards with dot inlays & nickel hardware. 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. For photographic examples of the Gibson Cf-100 and CF-100E Click Here. Some rectangular examples, black bridge pins (2 pearl dots on rectangle bridge), Headstock appointments: gold decal: Only a Gibson is Good Enough banner. 615-264-4959. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/276603. These were Gibsons first flat-top cutaways. Schall hardware is pretty unique and the fifth The 2nd delivery to Ray Whitley was the more refined 14 fret SJ that is so well photo-dicumented. 1940: #1 or #001 to 1965: approximately #84xxx. Have a vintage Harmony guitar? There is a steel tone ring on the maple rim, and the rim has a maple cap.
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