banjo headstock identification

Like all other companies, there are exceptions. S2R3H, identical to S2R, but with 3-piece back, full herringbone purflings, gold tuners. It had a 24 3/4 scale and was constructed of all solid woods. It was available in red, black or two-tone sunburst finish, fleur-de-lis under The Gibson; Handel inlaid tuner buttons prior to 1916 (WWI) with a dotted + in each button. The appointments matched the MK-35 but the bracing was modified to accommodate the additional string tension of 12 strings. The tuners cogs are peened on the shafts (the peening sometihas a waffle design). 340 Rosewood back & sides, MOP, colored wood appointments & a Tree-of-Life fretboard inlay. This is a "fit-all" banjo case. Silkscreen logos - Low end models. Some rectangular examples, black bridge pins (2 pearl dots on rectangle bridge), Headstock appointments: gold decal: Only a Gibson is Good Enough banner. The soundboard was so large and the body so deep that the sound was immense. The fingerboard of the L-5S is in with select abalone. Augustino LoPrinzi Guitar Maker Clearwater Florida (LoPrinzi name bought back from AMF) Instruments designed and built by Augustino and Donna LoPrinzi (daughter). 1923 into 1970: 1 piece mahogany necks. 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! These bridges had movable saddles up to about 1917 when they changed to a one-piece compensating bridge design through early 1921. 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. themselves through common hardware and design characteristics. It was Gibsons most prestigious solid body (and therefore expensive, with a couple of exceptions). Identify vintage banjo fleur de lis inlays on headstock & carved heel . Higher grade models (such as the Super 400, L-5, J-200, etc.) 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. The Gibson Company was formed in late 1902 and the early mandolins evolved from the original Orville Gibson designs. Intermediate Grade and Best Grade were generally X braced with laminated braces for added strength. the teacher or distributor. The individual artist's touch on the . S2M, size 2 guitar with mahogany back & sides. Instrumental. The necks and heels were rounder. 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: . Sounds great and the instrument is very easy to play. 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). Pearl dots on fretboard. This should be considered a guide to get you within a year of the correct date. The binding on the top is b/w. Ironically, the script logo on the headstock was old-style. Headstocks of US models also use the Gibson headstock shape. The saddles were wider than usual. JR, jumbo size guitar with East Indian rosewood back & sides, chrome tuners. It's always made of hardwood such as ebony and makes up the front-facing top half of the banjo's neck. The last of the Mark Series was built in 1979. Pickguards between 1909 and 1921 +/- show a stamped patent date of Mar. For sale for $50 cash, firm. 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. Martin Flat Top Guitar Body Sizes and Designations: The body size designation is stamped on the neck block starting in October 1930. Though it has gone through a number of refinements over the years, the basic design has not changed since. This makes up for the shallow break angle, and also does away with string trees, which are not needed in this case. Gibson introduced their first adjustable belly bridge 2 screws to raise and lower the bridge. This was adapted to the mandolin over the next few years. I visited his place once when I was kid (probably mid - late 1970's) and his finished basement was filled with guitars, banjos, lots of different instruments. Martin Guitars seemed to take note of the successful sales of the Gibson acoustic-electrics J-160E and CF-100Es. Back & Sides: Mahogany but some released as Brazilian rosewood. The space between the headstock center and the top of the lathe bed is the radius of the lathe swing. department to department had 40 cubbyholes. F Style mandolins have a carved nautilus shaped curl on the upper left-hand bout. Format: 2 (Identifier) YY (Year) XXXX (Numerical ID) Example: Serial number . Worthy of mention is the Jumbo Deluxe, though it is believed that only 3 were ever made in 1938. Many have no identification at all. When it came out in 1942 it was the most expensive Gibson flat-top in the line. This is a high-quality instrument. The 1934 version had a classic Gibson sunburst: the small amber center around the bridge about 1/4 of the top area. 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. 156137I know this is a mandolin forum, but the admins suggested I start here. The best way to date Larrive instruments is by the instrument labels. serial number 8382, New York, circa 1920s, intricate abalone shell inlay to fingerboard and headstock which also bears the Company logo. Most old Hfners do not have serial numbers. Our 19th Year * Sign Up Now Dreamstime is the world`s largest stock photography community. The bridge were early simple rectangular with through-saddles. USA produced Epiphones of this era bear standard Gibson serialization and include the "Made in USA" stamp on the back of the headstock. In 1935, binding was added to the fretboard. 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 hardshell case had a green or red silk lining. 1980 $1249 By late 1980, the Gibson deluxe tuners with Crank button, and Posi-Lok strap button were added. The 5th string on a banjo lies within easy reach of the right-hand . The standard early Gibson A models had a soft V shaped neck. Yes, please do post your tune here on this page. No serial numbers etc. It will be interesting of one of the BHO members has a vintage Kay catalog with that particular banjo. This is a high-quality instrument. There is a Kay company logo on the headstock but absolutely no other identifying marks. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/276603. Occasionally the labels have fallen out or been removed during repairs making it a bit trickier to date the instruments. The top and back bindings were black plastic with red line highlights. The pot fairly screams Iida to me. Several other forces were at work for change: Introduced 1963, these were designed as dual-purpose instruments. Martin introduced the large body dreadnaught in 1932 It was bigger, bolder, and louder than anything Gibson had to offer. Good size logs of spruce were government controlled during the war and were not easily available shortly after. See Martin Serial Numbers for a dating information. The 1970s are viewed by many collectors and players as the low point of Gibson manufacturing. 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. Also, the first batch of J-45s had more binding both on the body and soundhole. FLC, Flamenco guitar with Canadian cypress back and sides, friction pegs (machine heads on some examples). 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. Like everything else connected to instrument identification issues - there are many exceptions. There were 5226 made. Carl and August Larson built instruments between 1900 and 1944. It worked. The fingerboard typically has inlays made of silver or steel. 2. Several cost-cutting measures existed between the Advanced Jumbo and the J-35 including scalloped braces on the advanced Jumbo and not on the J-35. Headstocks of US models also use the Gibson headstock shape. 14" resonator on the banjo examined is probably non original (Korean). 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). Most were 3-piece solid maple bodies. For example, the serial number 90237XXX corresponds to a production date of 1/23/97. CLB, Classic guitar of Brazilian rosewood, gold tuners. It is, therefore, not unusual to find older mandolins with replacement bridges. The labels with an image of Orville Gibson are generally found on instruments with serial numbers below 10,000. This peghead is found on low end, turn of the century, Lyon & Healy banjos, often with the L&H or Mystic brand stamped into the strut. They did provide paper labels for the instrument that they represented but did not provide labels for custom instruments or other shops or manufacturers. Check out our banjo decal selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our bumper stickers shops. Gibson believed that these choices would allow them to focus on their more profitable lines. These instruments live a bit outside that critique. The above Peghead Shapes are existing patterns. bands even in the early 1890s. MB -- mandolin banjo. For example, one head might sound right for one player on a five string banjo, but be disappointing on another players tenor banjo. Introduced 1954, discontinued in 1978, reintroduced in the 1980s and still produced today. Some rectangular examples, Headstock appointments: Decal Only a Gibson is Good Enough banner. identify the manufacturer of these banjos in many cases, but some identify 1934 was in the depth of the depression, and at $60 without a case, most families put food ahead of guitars. The Larson bridge, if not otherwise specified by another company, is a rectangular flattened pyramid ebony style similar to those used by Lyon and Healy. Edited by - rfvelk on 12/26/2013 17:31:36, Blake507 - Posted-12/26/2013: 22:24:21. To confuse matters, they also manufactured Bacon banjos that had been developed by Fred Bacon: the Professional, the Orchestra and the Blue Ribbon. A head on a long neck open back banjo might sound completely different on a 12-string banjo. I just received this mando-banjo I bought on e-bay and I'm hoping someone can help me identify the builder. 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?) Factory Order Numbers (FON) in the 2600s to 2700s. See also: Gibson J-160E for more historical context. The later pickguard clamps have a stamped patent date of July 4, 1911. There were 431 made. Gibson discontinued the A-3 around 1922. They did not imprint the instruments with any particular brand. 2005-2023 acousticmusic.org. I'll have to record it and post a tune. They didnt sell well but did live up to their design intent of a. heavier, booming tone with good overall balance. 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. For a period of time, this was the top of the line. Some FONs for 1942 include 7116-7119, 7434, 7705, 7721, 907, 910, 923, 928, 2004-2006, 2059, 2098, 2110, 2119. B. Schall (1878-1907) manufactured many unmarked banjos for The Gibson Super Jumbo first appeared in 1937. Yuletide. The tuners were individual. All Rights Reserved. If you would like to use content from this page, see our Terms of Usage policy. cases they carry no identifying name at all. 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. Prices were typically 30-40% more than other Gibson solid bodies; the Les Paul Recording, LP Custom and SG Custom. At least then you will know the model name. Many banjo manufacturers, in addition to making banjos under their own names, made unmarked banjos for others to sell as well. Augustino LoPrinzi has developed a fine reputation for classical guitars, ukuleles, steel string and 12-string guitars. ECL changed its name shortly afterwards to: Norlin Inc. for ECL president Norton Stevens and CMI president Maurice Berlin. The numbers are preceded by letters: A, B, C, or D which indicate the series. Like everything else, we have seen exceptions to the listed dimensions; especially the nut widths. A-series Factory location: New York City from start to 1971. You can buy the book here on Amazon and I would highly recommend it. Size 3 Gurian, either acoustic or amplified. 1976 $929 In June of 1976 the price rose to $999, and two new finishes were added: tobacco sunburst and natural maple. Some laminated maple necks with two walnut stripes down the center (5 piece neck), most with no truss rod (war time meallocations), Neck shape large and round (Baseball Bat) due to lack of truss rod, Poplar neck blocks. The fingerboard was rosewood with 9 inlaid position markers. George Gruhns Guide to Vintage Guitars by George Gruhn and Walter Carter. In 1941 the fretboard became Brazilian rosewood. Banjos with pegheads like that shown in the first picture below are usually made by Buckbee. It is not clear how many were made, but it is likely that there are less than 12. Rated 5.00 out of 5. 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. White from 1928 to 1943/44. The current bridge height and neck angle was reached around 1910.