Antique Banjos



Posted: Monday, March 13, 2006

by Elizabeth Morgan

In addition to having robust and unique sounds due to their age, antique banjos are impressive collectors' items.  This article profiles a few antique banjos recently spotted on the market. 

Two notable antique banjos are the Gibson four- and five-string banjos from the 1920s and 1930s, and the antique open-back banjos from before 1900. The Gibson Granada five-string solid archtop tone-ring banjo comes with its original tenor neck and both its original hard-shell case as well as a late '50s Ess and Ess five-string hard-shell case. This banjo showcases the famous Gibson tube and plate construction. Its tone ring is one of the earliest of archtops.

The original Kershner-engraved "Granada" tailpiece bears two patent dates: 12/29/14, and 5/9/16; one of the two gold-plated coordinator rods states that it’s “pat. applied for." The original resonator has the serial number enameled inside as well as stamped inside the rim. The head is worn, and the maple resonator shows wear and scratches on its back. The newer, matching maple five-string neck has its color accurately matched to the resonator. The neck, made by illustrious Tennessee maker Randy Wood, matches the original heart-and-flower inlays of the tenor. The hard-shell case is prewar with the tenor neck inside it and is included with this sale. This model would likely fetch upwards of $15,000 on the market.

The Gibson TB-3 tenor banjo, which can be converted to the RB3 five-string banjo, has its original metal parts gold plated. It has the famous forty-hole archtop with two-piece flange, whose rim appears to be mahogany while the original resonator is maple. The banjo shows normal signs of wear and comes with a replaced wooden armrest and an Oettinger four-finger tailpiece (which is not typical to find and not appropriate for a five-string). This can be sold with a replica five-string neck, made and installed with a traditional armrest and tailpiece. One will see and hear an absolutely gorgeous prewar Mastertone conversion, forty-hole archtop five-string. This antique banjo would likely sell for more than $7,000.
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)
» left by Absolute Auto
from Ohio,USA 5 years 189 days ago.
I have a Kerschner-engraved banjo with the dates above stamped on it, and it's in excellent condition. I would love to find out more information on this piece. Thank you for access to this article.
» left by CHRIS R.
from Chisago City Mn. 2 years 135 days ago.
Im looking for any information on a hughes ''uniqe" banjo with kershner head piece.It has a very heavy solid brass head with a lot of mother of pearl inlays and what seems to be walnut inlays in the brass also.My best guess would be from 1890s to1910.Any info would be much appreciated.C.R.
» left by Hippenstiel from Germany 1 year 292 days ago.
I have a Hughes plectrum banjo , as far I researched it a custom made banjo serie - tenor+ plectrum for Highes by Vega Company. Do you a bnajo for sale??
 
mine is curly maple neck- with peach veneer coloured to ebony-(peghead and back of the peghead- rim seem maple with sparrow design strips- edge of rom and lower side of stick cpvered with abalone- size 11 15/16 w. 30 hooks- that is simular to zhe large Vega rim- heavy engraved and gold plated.
 
Joachim
» left by Joachim Hippenstiel from Germany 1 year 240 days ago.
send me some pictures and I may could help Joachim
» left by Patrice Berlin
from Los Angeles 1 year 218 days ago.
I'm trying to help a friend find a 1939 gold top Gibson banjo for his Mom to replace one she had to sell.

Can anyone help?

Thank you
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