Q: What is the first step in determining the age of my banjo? The Maurer Company records have been lost. The headstock shape is very similar and it has the hexnut . They are maintained by Donna LoPrinzi in Clearwater Florida. 2005-2023 acousticmusic.org. Nice playability, great tone, strong low end and good sustain all the way up the neck. The somewhat radical headstock shape was discontinued at Gibson with the Mark Series but appears to have been an influence on the young Paul Reed Smith who later used a similar shape for his electric instruments. 15 Mahogany top, back & sides no binding, 17 Mahogany top, back & sides bound top. It is very showy though. The neck heal had a white plastic cap. The headstock face was veneered in black. Many banjo manufacturers, in addition to making banjos under their own names, A Style mandolins were symmetrical and shaped like a teardrop. The hardshell case had a green or red silk lining. These bridges had movable saddles up to about 1917 when they changed to a one-piece compensating bridge design through early 1921. 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. The fretboard was bound but without extension and The Gibson was stamped into the tailpiece cover. For example, the serial number 90237XXX corresponds to a production date of 1/23/97. The Jumbos had a slight V shaped neck with the Gibson truss rod and a pointed French heal somewhat unusual for Gibson. LG-0 | Introduced 1958 | Discontinued 1973, LG-1 | Introduced 1947 | Discontinued 1968, LG-2 | Introduced 1942 | Discontinued 1962, LG-2- | Introduced 1949 | Discontinued 1962, LG-3 | Introduced 1946 | Discontinued 1963, B-25 | Introduced 1962 | Discontinued 1976, FJ-N | Introduced 1963 | Discontinued 1970, F-25 | Introduced 1963 | Discontinued 1970, B-15 | Introduced 1967 | Discontinued 1970, Brazilian rosewood rectangular through bridges, 2 screws in the bridge with MOP dot covers, Basically the same as LG-1 with a mahogany top, Single plastic tortoise shell binding top and back, Narrow neck design with 14 degree headstock angle, Same basic guitar as LG-2 with average wood, Wood imperfections covered by a dark sunburst, Tall scalloped braces change to low-profile rough cut, Enlarged rectangular bridge with closed slot, Fire striped plastic pickguard teardrop shape, Last use of the Banner decal on headstocks, Basically the same as an LG-2 with better materials, Bottom belly rosewood bridges with adjustable saddles, Back, sides and neck finished in walnut stain, Body shape: 16 wide, round shoulder dreadnought shape, Top: Select spruce, 2-piece bookmatched with scalloped X-bracing, Neck: mahogany, single piece, unbound, 19 fret, dot markers, Bridges: Rosewood belly-down. Gibson developed the truss rod in 1921. Headstocks say LoPrinzi. GIBSON GARAGE FIND A DEALER GIBSON APP. A2-Zs were theoretically made during the Loar period of 1921-25, but only between 1923 and 1924. Like everything else, we have seen exceptions to the listed dimensions; especially the nut widths. Prices were typically 30-40% more than other Gibson solid bodies; the Les Paul Recording, LP Custom and SG Custom. An entire bin was a "lot" and would contain identify the manufacturer of these banjos in many cases, but some identify Find the worth of your vintage banjo from 1920s to 1970s. Example of custom shape is well represented below with the "Tennessee Banjo". in the third row of pictures below: Lyon & Healy (1864-1940) made many grades of banjos in many styles, Banjo Headstock Designs. For example: Gretsch stopped production of Bacon and B&D banjos. Gibson needed to revitalize its lineup of flat-top guitars the LG-Series was born. 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. The designations were. Starting in 1923, models included: the Silver Bell, the Super Banjo and the Blue Bell. Music Love. These instruments live a bit outside that critique. Late 1930s through 1942: ? adjustment wheels 2 feet and extensions on top of the base for the wheels. Like everything else connected to instrument identification issues - there are many exceptions. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Copyright 2023 Banjo Hangout. 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). and What's it sound like? I chose a .090 binding that is layered, for a nice pin-striped look and Stewart MacDonald Guitar Shop Supply makes the perfect set of bits for routing headstock for binding called Piloted Binding Router Bits. Augustino LoPrinzi Guitar Maker Clearwater Florida (LoPrinzi name bought back from AMF) Instruments designed and built by Augustino and Donna LoPrinzi (daughter). Carl and August Larson built instruments between 1900 and 1944. ARCHIVED TOPIC: VINTAGE BANJO IDENTIFICATION. Ohio banjo player Steven Moore has his first solo project, Just a Little Talk with Myself, just recently released. The Gibson Southerner Jumbo was introduced in 1942 and discontinued in 1978. 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. The headstock had a black wood face veneer. Buckbee (1861-1897) banjos can frequently be identified by their See the notes below. There was a line of black inlay (or ebony layer) along the centerline of the back of the neck. By the end in 1985-86, Gibson was basically down to the Les Paul model alone. 30, 1909. If you would like to use content from this page, see our Terms of Usage policy. The tradition had been Bug style mandolins: bowl-backs with flat or bent tops. This can often be found on the back of the peghead or on the inside rim of the banjo. CLB, Classic guitar of Brazilian rosewood, gold tuners. Martin Guitars seemed to take note of the successful sales of the Gibson acoustic-electrics J-160E and CF-100Es. Most They did provide paper labels for the instrument that they represented but did not provide labels for custom instruments or other shops or manufacturers. The 2nd delivery to Ray Whitley was the more refined 14 fret SJ that is so well photo-dicumented. The sunburst finish was generally $30 less than natural finish. It was reintroduced in limited editions in 1991. Weve seen some serial number lists that are as much as 8 years out-of-sync with this list. The original price in 1942 was $45. There were some 1 3/4 nuts available. Check out our banjo decal selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our bumper stickers shops. Mid 1950s: the pickguard changed from the teardrop to the larger undulating shape like the pre-war J-35s. Back & Sides: Mahogany but some released as Brazilian rosewood. A total of 2,477 J-35s were made according to Gibson records. It had chrome plated standard friction pegs, rosewood finished neck and headstock with matchin resonator. They could be strung with steel or nylon strings. See also: Gibson J-160E for more historical context. The electric version included a P-90 pickup at the end of the soundboard like the later versions of the J-160E. Martin introduced their versions of acoustic-electrics: the D-18E in 1958 and D-28E in 1959. The L-5S was the first high end jazz solid body guitar. About Larrive Guitar Labels 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. Identify vintage banjo fleur de lis inlays on headstock & carved heel. MK-72 models were rosewood back & sides, 3 piece ebony/rosewood fingerboards with dot inlays & nickel hardware. Higher numbers also meant more money. As a consequence, the details were grand in scale and the bindings high in contrast to look good in black and white on the silver screen. There were 1229 made. In general, higher model numbers meant more binding and ornament. 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. You may, . On rare occasions, some dates can be found on . It took Gibson 2 years to develop their response: The Jumbo of 1934. 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. Larger top braces used, and bigger solid wood bridge plate and larger bottom-belly bridge. It was Gibsons most prestigious solid body (and therefore expensive, with a couple of exceptions). A: One of the easiest ways to determine the age of your banjo is to inspect the serial number, if it has one. The pot fairly screams Iida to me. Late 1974 gold covered recording pickups are replaced with humbuckers. Early 1970's block shaped no dot over the "i" closed "b" and . Also, the first batch of J-45s had more binding both on the body and soundhole. 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. Electric guitars having the serial number on the back of the headstock. George Gruhns Guide to Vintage Guitars by George Gruhn and Walter Carter. If you want to use any of this information: New Location: Starting in 1977, Gibson adopted the current date-based serial system which codes for the year and day of production. 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. I just received this mando-banjo I bought on e-bay and I'm hoping someone can help me identify the builder. Presentation banjos often turned up at NAMMand other shows. The body dimensions basically match the LG-series: 14 1/8 wide by 19 1/2 long by 4 1/2 deep. 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. J-L. M. N-P. Q-Sch. Each type of banjo head has a unique contribution to your banjo's tone. Many have no identification at all. B&D models stopped around 1968 following Baldwins (Gretschs parent company) 1967 purchase of the ODE company. 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. Headstocks of US models also use the Gibson headstock shape. Why not post a little tune with it. The focus of the site is antique and vintage banjos and mandolins, but there are . Every banjo has a story. 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. The bridge were early simple rectangular with through-saddles. There was some amber color. 2. 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). Hard-stamped serial numbers. Slanted mid 1940's Gibson Logo. The numbers are preceded by letters: A, B, C, or D which indicate the series. The 1970s are viewed by many collectors and players as the low point of Gibson manufacturing. Identification: "A" Style mandolins were symmetrical and shaped like a teardrop. For sale for $50 cash, firm. They were popular with the Cowboy Singing Stars like Bob Baker (National Barn Dance WLS). DVD-quality lessons (including tabs/sheet music) available for immediate viewing on any device. At the time, the Nick Lucas model was the largest flat-top Gibson offered. Your banjo is Asian made, likely Korea, but maybe Japan. Inlays and bindings are remarkably consistent through the years. Gibson changed the name again in the 1950s to the SJ-200. 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. They did not imprint the instruments with any particular brand. Gibson believed that these choices would allow them to focus on their more profitable lines. The first number of the sequence indicates the decade of production, followed by the three digit day of the year, and finally the year. There are a few examples of A-2Zs with black tops, though this was probably used to cover some imperfection in the selected tops. This should be considered a guide to get you within a year of the correct date. S2R3H, identical to S2R, but with 3-piece back, full herringbone purflings, gold tuners. Some SJNs with plastic Special Bridges. 118 Midtown Ct # M For photographic examples of the Gibson Cf-100 and CF-100E Click Here. 340 Rosewood back & sides, MOP, colored wood appointments & a Tree-of-Life fretboard inlay. First factory order number (FON) on neck block of J45s in 1942 was 907 and 923. This is a high-quality instrument. Hand Engraving. The last 4 digits are a neck number. As a vintage instrument dealer, I see no collectors market for banjos like yours. Then Gibson developed the adjustable bridge. Thinner cog gears with no bevel on the edge of the cogs. 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. Bound rosewood fingerboard with small fret wire, clamshell tail piece with Morris inscribed. The USA distributors in the 60s and 70s used their own serial number systems and we do . 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. RB -- regular banjo (5-string) TB -- tenor banjo. . New Location: Sha-Sw. T-V. W-Y. The electronics cover on the back was matching solid figured maple. 1921 early: 3/8 adjustment wheels, short base and aluminum compensated bridge top. Identify vintage banjo fleur de lis inlays on headstock & carved heel . During the Folk Boom of the 1960s, Gretsch produced a line of 5 string open back banjos with regular and long necks. Body designations and style designations of Martin guitars are letter-number combinations separated by a hyphen. The introduction of a truss rod cover to the headstock caused the inlay patterns to adjust as well. It shared many features with the L-5 archtop electric acoustic: The neck was basically an L-5 neck in scale, section and detail. Identification. This was quickly reduced to avoid model confusion between the J-45s and the more expensive Southerner Jumbos. 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!' These shoes are shown in an 1890s Washburn banjo catalog, on low end models with . Late 1960's Gibson Logo around 1969 with no dot over the "i". The back and sides were Brazilian rosewood and the tops Adirondack red spruce. It's difficult to positively identify the manufacturer of these . As for how I came to own the instrument, my grandmother's cousin was an instrument collector. The following versions evolved quickly to 14 frets clear of the body. Gibson TP-6 tailpiece became standard. How to customize a Huber Banjo; . their better banjos is also distinctive, with a small additional bump on either There are some examples of two piece bodies used with the transparent or natural finishes. 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. Here's the photo gallery that I put together:velkdesign.com/assets/banjo/. When it came out in 1942 it was the most expensive Gibson flat-top in the line. Go back. This was available in brown, black or blonde finish. 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 appointments of the Southerner Jumbo included more top binding and an additional set of rosette rings. Ironically, the script logo on the headstock was old-style. 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. Similar to A-2 but with snakehead headstock, blonde finish, b/w binding, and A2-Z on the label. 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. It was available with a Snakehead and had a shaped fingerboard extension. the bins that were used to move instruments from . The more economical Student Grade instruments were often ladder braced. Approximate Chronology (there are always exceptions): There were a few natural finished J-45N models made during 1942. Brown or black finish, some binding only on the top and in the soundhole with one ring around the soundhole. I just have a few questions. Most have the patented L&H tailpiece shown in the inset. The name variations included Bacon and Day and B&D for all the instruments co-developed by Fred Bacon and David Day. Serial Numbers. In any event, these should be used only as a guide and not assumed to be absolutely correct. Semi-hollow guitar serial numbers are found inside the 'top' F-hole on a label. My understanding is that only 12 of these particular banjos were ever manufactured by Kay. 1979 $1149 Antique Sunburst added to Fireburst, Cherry Sunburst and Natural. This is a high-quality instrument. Though there appear to be exceptions, necks between 1912 and 1923 are 3-piece mahogany. The Gibson stamped on tailpiece cover. David L. Day was in his 70s. I have never seen one like this in person or even a picture of one. Bodies: Rosewood, oak, mahogany, koa and maple. Gibson discontinued the A-3 around 1922. 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 Gibson CF-100 was introduced in 1950 (the CF-100E was introduced 1951) and discontinued in 1960. Jun 24, 2020 - The Art of Banjo Headstocks. So, take a look and . 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. When I look at the rim, tone ring, tube and plate, and tailpiece they look like the same ones on my Ibanez 591. MK-99 models were handcrafted and signed by Richard Schneider. I doubt you'll find this in a catalog. In fact, he was part of a team of scientists paid as consultants by Gibson for their input on a project to create the finest sounding guitar based upon sound scientific logic, theory and research. It was the heart of the depression and the instruments cost $60 without a case. Sunburst finish changes slightly: a cremona brown fading from the center amber to a reddish brown perimeter. To most people all banjos look (and sound) the same. The headstock carried an inlayed script Gibson. themselves through common hardware and design characteristics. ss stewart presentation banjo - Google Search. Kay company banjos were normally not that high-quality but this one is different. 1974 $895 This was the best sales year for the L-5S shipping 555 instruments. Silkscreen logos - Low end models. Maybell was a Slingerland brand name. Gold-plated tuning gears, LOTS of abalone inlay. It was a refinement of the slope-shoulder design of the original Jumbo but slightly deeper: 4 13/16. The early models had shallow neck sets and low bridges that increased in angle around 1908 with taller bridges. 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 tuners were individual. Grupo Musical. The following are a rough guide. Since Spruce was needed for the war-time effort, some J-45s in 1943 have a mahogany top. peghead shape. Though it was discontinued in 1942, the last Advanced Jumbo left the Kalamazoo plant in 1940. 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. side of the top of the peghead (see last set of pictures below). For a period of time, this was the top of the line. Use them in commercial designs under lifetime, perpetual & worldwide rights. Gold script Gibson logo, Pickguard: Tiger-striped & teardrop shape, Finish: brown sunburst top finish, dark brown mahogany back and sides and neck, Body Binding: 7-ply top binding and single ply back binding, Tuners: Kluson Mfg Chicago and Pat. stamped into the plate in a circle around the attachment screws, plastic button usually white but sometimes black), Tortoise-shell teardrop pickguard replaced the tiger stripe material, Single bound top and back, multi-bound rosette, Mahogany neck but a few Maple necks with a single walnut stripe down the center (3 piece neck), Three layer w/b/w tops and single layer back binding, Mahogany neck block with beveled sides, changed to a mahogany neck block with square sides, Tuners were 3-on-a-plate Klusons with exposed gears and Kluson Mfg Chicago and Pat. stamped into the plate in a circle around the attachment screws, plastic buttons (usually white but sometimes black) and 1/4 diameter posts. The soundhole size coincided with the overall size of the instrument. This is a strong playing. purchase these instruments and put their own names on them, but in many other The appointments matched the MK-35 but the bracing was modified to accommodate the additional string tension of 12 strings. A New Leaf from Steven Moore. 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. Numerous articles in Vintage Guitar Magazine over the years. Gretsch appears to have started a new numbering system at about that time. 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. It took Gibson 2 years to develop their response: The Jumbo of 1934. 615-264-4959. Serial number records exist for instruments built before 1975 and after 1980. Good size logs of spruce were government controlled during the war and were not easily available shortly after.