15 Mahogany top, back & sides no binding, 17 Mahogany top, back & sides bound top. The only available finish was sunburst until 1954. It was available with a brown finish and came as a snakehead or paddle headstock. Gibson discontinued the A-3 around 1922. The standard "Huber' shape, the popular "Double Cut" shape or the "Fiddle Cut" shape. 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. 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. It was reintroduced in limited editions in 1991. One of the advantages of choosing a banjo made in a small shop environment is the easy availability of customization. In any event, these should be used only as a guide and not assumed to be absolutely correct. Headstocks of US models also use the Gibson headstock shape. Identifying Vintage Guitars, Banjos & Mandolins - Acoustic Music In late 1 the use of factory order numbers was discontinued. Gretsch started a new serial number system. They had dot markers on the fretboard and a moustache bridge with individual adjusters on each string. They were too late Gibson owned the market and the Martins were dropped 6 years later having only sold about 540 combined. Example: U8034853 U = Unsung, 8 = 1998, 03 = March, 4853 = manufacturing number. Alternates can range from standard designs out there in the banjo world, old or new, or a custom. The centerline of the neck had the black inlay. The headstock face was veneered in black. There are a few examples of A-2Zs with black tops, though this was probably used to cover some imperfection in the selected tops. Gibson Acoustic Guitars. 1972 L-5S launched, but shipping totals list no instruments being shipped until 1973. It's difficult to positively identify the manufacturer of these . Early 1970's block shaped no dot over the "i" closed "b" and . Help identifying an old banjo - Mandolin Cafe He was also a guitar enthusiast with a passion for physical and psycho-acoustics. The name variations included Bacon and Day and B&D for all the instruments co-developed by Fred Bacon and David Day. Though it was discontinued in 1942, the last Advanced Jumbo left the Kalamazoo plant in 1940. By the records, between 200 and 300 were built. There was a line of black inlay (or ebony layer) along the centerline of the back of the neck. The Gibson Southerner Jumbo was introduced in 1942 and discontinued in 1978. Hand Engraving. 292 Old Banjo Stock Photos, Images & Pictures - Dreamstime They could be strung with steel or nylon strings. The labels with an image of Orville Gibson are generally found on instruments with serial numbers below 10,000. Like everything else connected to instrument identification issues - there are many exceptions. The back and sides were Brazilian rosewood and the tops Adirondack red spruce. This was expanded in 1935 to about 1/3 of the top area. 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. Body designation Style designation, Serial number. 67 Banjo Headstock Designs ideas | banjo, guitar inlay, mandolin The soundhole had an additional thick white purfling ring. In 1926 Gibson introduced the L-series guitars with the L-0 at $35 and the L-1 at $50 (1928 prices). World War II changed many aspects of the guitar world. The headstock had a black wood face veneer. A-series Factory location: New York City from start to 1971. serial number 8382, New York, circa 1920s, intricate abalone shell inlay to fingerboard and headstock which also bears the Company logo. Some examples had the black (skunk) strip down the middle of the top similar to the Southerner Jumbos. Some rectangular examples, Headstock appointments: Decal Only a Gibson is Good Enough banner. About Larrive Guitar Labels teachers who sold them to students, some of which are tagged with the name of
. The original partners were Fred and Cassie Bacon and Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Winship. Free or royalty-free photos and images. 2. They are essentially an Advanced Jumbo with minor compromises: they filled a gap between the J-35 and the J-55. Martin introduced the large body dreadnaught in 1932 It was bigger, bolder, and louder than anything Gibson had to offer. Worthy of mention is the Jumbo Deluxe, though it is believed that only 3 were ever made in 1938. Kay company banjos were normally not that high-quality but this one is different. ', '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'. Vega Banjos - Deering Banjo Company Some FONs for 1942 include 7116-7119, 7434, 7705, 7721, 907, 910, 923, 928, 2004-2006, 2059, 2098, 2110, 2119. Also, the first batch of J-45s had more binding both on the body and soundhole. See LG-0 for materials and dimensions. themselves through common hardware and design characteristics. Vintage mandolin, guitar-mandolin or banjo-mandolin The designations were. their better banjos is also distinctive, with a small additional bump on either
These appear to be the easiest to find and quite reasonable to buy. For photographic examples of the Gibson Cf-100 and CF-100E Click Here. 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. It worked. Check out our banjo decal selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our bumper stickers shops. The top and back bindings were black plastic. Gibson needed to revitalize its lineup of flat-top guitars the LG-Series was born. 1916 into 1921: the pin to the bridge was dropped. FLC, Flamenco guitar with Canadian cypress back and sides, friction pegs (machine heads on some examples). It shared many features with the L-5 archtop electric acoustic: The neck was basically an L-5 neck in scale, section and detail. 1934 was in the depth of the depression, and at $60 without a case, most families put food ahead of guitars. 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. CLM, Classical guitar with mahogany back and sides. Home | Vintage Banjo Maker The fingerboard was rosewood with 9 inlaid position markers. the bins that were used to move instruments from . The neck was a broad round profile single piece mahogany with a bound coffewood fretboard and dot markers. Starting in 1923, models included: the Silver Bell, the Super Banjo and the Blue Bell. The 1975 price was $439. 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. Another useful
Laminated maple back and sides is discontinued (FON batch 2828 used maple back and sides). AMF ceased production of LoPrinzi guitars. There were 431 made. 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. 156137I know this is a mandolin forum, but the admins suggested I start here. 1952: The headstock gold decal logo was replaced by an inlayed pearl script and crown. 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. CLR, Classic guitar with Indian rosewood back and sides, decorated binding, gold tuners. B&D models stopped around 1968 following Baldwins (Gretschs parent company) 1967 purchase of the ODE company. Thinner cog gears with no bevel on the edge of the cogs. Take a closer look at the serial number found on the back of the headstock and reference the guide below. How did you come to own it? 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. Dark stained plain birch back and sides. Design your own Huber Banjo. For more detailed information, get the following book: The Larsons Creations Guitars & Mandolins by Robert Carl Hartman. MK-35-12 models were only made in 1977. They were well suited for orchestral arrangements as well as individual play and accompaniment. When it came out in 1942 it was the most expensive Gibson flat-top in the line. You may, . Yes, please do post your tune here on this page. Go back. 30, 1909. 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?) middle-sized, chrome tuners. Augustino & Thomas LoPrinzi Guitars usually have the date of manufacture on the label. The later pickguard clamps have a stamped patent date of July 4, 1911. Introduced is the year of introduction. The Mark Series, though not a wild success in terms of overall sales, did sell reasonably well. >I see no collectors market for banjos like yours.<. Collector's Corner
expressed on the sides and back of the 1934 versions. Saga. Thanks for the history, I always love the story. 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 original price in 1942 was $45. Banjo serial numbers: During the 1920s, Gibson instruments were made in lots of 40s (for the most part, this procedure continues today). 1959: Larger crown frets and the adjustable bridge. Pearl twin parallelogram inlays, Bridges: Rosewood belly-down. When he passed, my grandmother bought it for me from his brother who was attempting to liquify his collection. S3M, Size 3 guitar with mahogany back & sides. Intermediate Grade and Best Grade were generally X braced with laminated braces for added strength. 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. Factory Order Numbers (FON) in the 2600s to 2700s. 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. Start your day off right, with a Dayspring Coffee The bracing was revised to accommodate the moustache bridge and generally heavier than earlier models. Ironically, the script logo on the headstock was old-style. New Location:
The fingerboard of the L-5S is in with select abalone. Ohio banjo player Steven Moore has his first solo project, Just a Little Talk with Myself, just recently released. The tuners cogs are peened on the shafts (the peening sometihas a waffle design). Pickguards between 1909 and 1921 +/- show a stamped patent date of Mar. tailpieces (see fourth row of pictures below) on many of their unmarked banjos, and their
Dreamstime is the world`s largest stock photography community. In 1941 the fretboard became Brazilian rosewood. 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 ). The 31 year old part time musician has mostly been found on the contest stages in recent years, taking first in the National Bluegrass Banjo Championship twice, and in the RockyGrass, RenoFest . It is most common after 1923 when most Gibson model As had this shape. Binding a Banjo Headstock - AcousticBox.com in the third row of pictures below: Lyon & Healy (1864-1940) made many grades of banjos in many styles,
This was available in brown, black or blonde finish. PB -- plectrum banjo. Epiphone Serial Number Lookup - Authority Guitar S. S. Stewart Guitars Born of a Banjeau Maker RRRR = Ranking number (may be more or less digits) Example: 3021234 = Samick Korea / 1993 / February / unit 1234. Number on headstock, Open Back, Pink OHC liner, Klusons with white plastic buttons, bound f/b: I/N Auction 8/2007 : 1962 : 88909: RB-180 . George Youngblood of Youngbloods Music Workshop. Martin Flat Top Guitar Body Sizes and Designations: The body size designation is stamped on the neck block starting in October 1930. 1-6 digits stamped into the top edge of the headstock-often difficult to read. 593 Similar to 590 but with pearl (vs ivoroid) tuner buttons. In general, the Larsons used fancier hardware on the more expensive instruments so the date of the hardware should coincide with similar instruments of the period. Use them in commercial designs under lifetime, perpetual & worldwide rights. Each type of banjo head has a unique contribution to your banjo's tone. The appointments matched the MK-35 but the bracing was modified to accommodate the additional string tension of 12 strings. At least then you will know the model name. 14" resonator on the banjo examined is probably non original (Korean). For example, one head might sound right for one player on a five string banjo, but be disappointing on another players tenor banjo. F Style mandolins have a carved nautilus shaped curl on the upper left-hand bout. If you want to use any of this information:
Carl and August Larson built instruments between 1900 and 1944. The pot fairly screams Iida to me. Saga Bella Voce 70/80. 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 examples weve seen vary from the Gibson catalogs quite a bit. 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. and many were left unmarked. It is very showy though. How to ID vintage Gibson banjos? - The Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum 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. Since that day in 1989, Deering has breathed new life into the Vega name, blending over a century of tradition with Deering's banjo building expertise, to create a range of heritage rich open back and longneck banjos that are as integral to the modern folk . The sunburst finish was generally $30 less than natural finish. A Style mandolins were symmetrical and shaped like a teardrop. Asian Banjos - L-Z - Fastie On 12 fret to the body guitars, in a break with tradition, the Larson brothers frequently inlayed the 10th fret instead of the ninth. banjo headstock identificationleap year program in python using for loop. Description: Internally constructed from dense EPS foam, the exterior of this Gator banjo case is covered in rugged 600-denier ballistic . Considering that Gibson was using a double X bracing for most of its other flat top guitars during that period, these instruments, with their modified fan bracing, stand out as some of the better sounding Gibsons of the time. 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. Introduced 1967, Basically an more economical LG-0. beautiful banjo. There were 1424 made. The neck heal had a white plastic cap. 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. A flourish inlay under The Gibson in the headstock. http://www.mugwumps.com. Presentation banjos often turned up at NAMMand other shows. Mid 1921 through late 1930s: larger base with 2 feet, 3/8 adjustment wheels and wooden compensated bridge top. 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).