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. 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 . It became the working mans choice and one of the most enduring instrument designs in history. This was expanded in 1935 to about 1/3 of the top area. They are essentially an Advanced Jumbo with minor compromises: they filled a gap between the J-35 and the J-55. The soundhole had an additional thick white purfling ring. At least then you will know the model name. Dark stained plain birch back and sides. 541 Concert: rosewood back & sides with colored wood appointments. During 1880-1890 Fairbanks joined with William A. Cole, a successful performer and teacher, and produced approximately 9000 banjos as Fairbanks & Cole. 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. 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). 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. How did you come to own it? Ohio banjo player Steven Moore has his first solo project, Just a Little Talk with Myself, just recently released. The labels with an image of Orville Gibson are generally found on instruments with serial numbers below 10,000. Ss. He was also a guitar enthusiast with a passion for physical and psycho-acoustics. Why not post a little tune with it. Banjos with pegheads like that shown in the first picture below are usually made by Buckbee. Yuletide. New guitars were supplied with user applied pick guards, and extra saddles of different heights that could be easily inserted to adjust the string action to accommodate the swelling of the instrument with seasonal humidity changes. 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. These digits should match the 4 digits found on the back of the peghead of your banjo. 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. Sunburst finish changes slightly: a cremona brown fading from the center amber to a reddish brown perimeter. It was initially called the De Luxe Jumbo for the few versions that were delivered before the model went into production. This was adapted to the mandolin over the next few years. 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. Body shape changed to square shoulder dreadnought. Take your playing to the next level with the help of a local or online banjo teacher. The top and back bindings were black plastic with red line highlights. It was reintroduced in limited editions in 1991. I'm thinking it was made by the Iida folks for a NAMM show or something. identify the manufacturer of these banjos in many cases, but some identify 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. Weekly newsletter includes free lessons, favorite member content, banjo news and more. Post war logo, 1947/8 to '60s found on various guitar like Melody Maker, Les Paul Jr, Special, Lg0, Lg2, Sg Jr, Special, ecc, ecc.Note the dot link to G. '70 Gold logo - Decal instead silkscreening. FLC, Flamenco guitar with Canadian cypress back and sides, friction pegs (machine heads on some examples). Plectrum. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/276603. They were now able to get better materials. There were many name variations for The Bacon Banjo Company, Inc. but it remained in Fred Bacons name from 1920 until the company closed in 1938. These can exist on any model numbers including the A-jr. The fingerboard typically has inlays made of silver or steel. ARIA 921C. The final production versions had a double-braced red spruce top and rosewood back and sides with a sunburst finish. 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. Materials and methods of production were reviewed and revised. To complicate matters, the Larson brothers appear to have used different numbering techniques for different brands that they supplied. Some examples had the black (skunk) strip down the middle of the top similar to the Southerner Jumbos. Carl and August Larson built instruments between 1900 and 1944. English mandolin banjo, by cuckoo, circa 1900s, of typical form, 'Cuckoo' imprinted on the headstock, 55 cm long American Orpheum mandolin banjo , by Rettberg & Lange, no. Martin introduced the large body dreadnaught in 1932 It was bigger, bolder, and louder than anything Gibson had to offer. Most were 3-piece solid maple bodies. The tuners cogs are peened on the shafts (the peening sometihas a waffle design). At least one model, the Epiphone Spirit, was manufactured in the USA during the early 1980s in the Gibson factory in Kalamazoo, MI. S3M, Size 3 guitar with mahogany back & sides. All listed sizes are for 12 fret to body models: These dimensions were similar for all Larson made instruments. It was Gibsons most prestigious solid body (and therefore expensive, with a couple of exceptions). MK-53 models were maple back & sides, rosewood fingerboards with dot inlays & nickel hardware. Angled (Tilted-Back) Headstock. Though it has gone through a number of refinements over the years, the basic design has not changed since. The first two digits tell you the month the banjo was built, the last two digits before the dash or space will tell you the year, and the numbers . Headstocks say LoPrinzi. Collector's Corner Many banjo manufacturers, in addition to making banjos under their own names, made unmarked banjos for others to sell as well. Factory numbers (when the exist) appear in pencil inside on the block where the neck meets the body. S3R3H, Like S3R, with 3-piece back, full herringbone binding, gold tuners. . The necks were 1-piece mahogany V shape with a Brazilian rosewood fretboard at 12 radius. Though it was discontinued in 1942, the last Advanced Jumbo left the Kalamazoo plant in 1940. The current bridge height and neck angle was reached around 1910. Similar to A, but with double purfling on the soundhole. Larrivee Serial Numbers (approximate). banjo headstock identification new harrisonburg high school good friday agreement, brexit June 29, 2022 fabletics madelaine petsch 2021 0 when is property considered abandoned after a divorce 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. Brown or black finish, some binding only on the top and in the soundhole with one ring around the soundhole. This moved the X away from the soundhole a bit. Like the SJ-100 of the same year, the J-55 had a stair-step headstock that persisted for only 2 years. Jun 24, 2020 - The Art of Banjo Headstocks. Another useful That way I'll be sure to hear it, since I will get a heads up when you post. The only available finish was sunburst until 1954. For example, one head might sound right for one player on a five string banjo, but be disappointing on another players tenor banjo. (The 1st year of the J-45 actually had similar appointments but they were reduced and simplified for model clarity in 1943). For example: Gretsch stopped production of Bacon and B&D banjos. The bridge was a small rectangular block type with a through saddle. 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. 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. 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). 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. There is a steel tone ring on the maple rim, and the rim has a maple cap. The financial strain became too much and the company sold in 1940 to Gretsch. PB -- plectrum banjo. There are some examples of two piece bodies used with the transparent or natural finishes. In 1947 the name changed to the J-200 and the standard back and sides became highly figured maple. This information is approximate and has not been verified by the LoPrinzi family. Go back. The soundboard was so large and the body so deep that the sound was immense. There are a few examples of A-2Zs with black tops, though this was probably used to cover some imperfection in the selected tops. Prairie State instruments have the patented rod and/or tube reinforcing, occasionally found on other Larson built guitars. 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 Lyon & Healy peghead shape used on most of Acoustic Guitars. Banjo not included or available. 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. 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. 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. 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. ARCHIVED TOPIC: VINTAGE BANJO IDENTIFICATION. The rosettes were simple white-black-white. To most people all banjos look (and sound) the same. Martin introduced the large body dreadnaught in 1932 It was bigger, bolder, and louder than anything Gibson had to offer. The concept behind the J-45 was a high quality, affordable, big-sounding acoustic flat-top guitar. This is a high-quality instrument. There were 5226 made. Dimensions: 16 wide, 10 1/4 long and 4 1/2 deep. B. Schall (1878-1907) manufactured many unmarked banjos for Dimensions: 16 wide, 10 1/4 long and 4 1/2 deep. A-series Factory location: New York City from start to 1971. 156137I know this is a mandolin forum, but the admins suggested I start here. MK-81 models were rosewood back & sides, ebony fingerboard with figured abalone block inlays & gold plated hardware. Headstocks of US models also use the Gibson headstock shape. 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. The Gibson Super Jumbo first appeared in 1937. 1930s-40s R S Williams and Sons built "Stewart" 1940s R S Williams and Sons built bird's eye maple archtop 1940s R S Williams and Sons built bird's eye maple archtop headstock 1940s R S Williams and Sons built bird's eye maple archtop back Gibson. Only about a dozen were made. Also, the first batch of J-45s had more binding both on the body and soundhole. Gold War era logo - This type is called "Banner logo". The 1975 price was $879. A: One of the easiest ways to determine the age of your banjo is to inspect the serial number, if it has one. Gibson This is a strong playing. There were 1424 made. CMI acquired Gibson around May 1944. A-3s had refrigerator white tops with a black perfling line, adjustable truss rods and adjustable bridges. 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). The space between the headstock center and the top of the lathe bed is the radius of the lathe swing. The later pickguard clamps have a stamped patent date of July 4, 1911. The bracing for the new larger models was X braced: there were 3 transverse tone bars between the braces 1 more than the Martin as Gibson experimented with bracing design heavy enough to support the large tops and light enough to be resonant and responsive. The Gibson Company was formed in late 1902 and the early mandolins evolved from the original Orville Gibson designs. Late 1930's Thicker Gibson Logo. . There was a line of black inlay (or ebony layer) along the centerline of the back of the neck. Jul 15, 2021 - A study of banjo head peg heads. . Example of custom shape is well represented below with the "Tennessee Banjo". This should be considered a guide to get you within a year of the correct date. made unmarked banjos for others to sell as well. 519,409 In 1894, he patented this wild banjo with a neck that folds in on itself at the 10th fret in order to facilitate transportation. Manchester University, All Forums Deering. The tradition had been Bug style mandolins: bowl-backs with flat or bent tops. 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. I'm leaning more in that direction. Factory Order Numbers (FON) in the 2800s to 2900s and 300s to 500s and some in the 600-800s and 1000s range. Gretsch appears to have started a new numbering system at about that time. GIBSON GARAGE FIND A DEALER GIBSON APP. B-series Factory location: Grand Street, New York City from 1972 to 1973. Please read the section on J-35s and J-55s as the J-45s and Southerner Jumbos replaced the earlier models it was a natural evolution. There is a Kay company logo on the headstock but absolutely no other identifying marks. I have to say that it is most interesting. 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. Never seen one with an inlay on the back of the neck. Buy in monthly payments with Affirm on orders over $50. The name evolved from De Luxe Jumbo to Super Jumbo in 1939, and then to the Super Jumbo 200 (reflecting the price at the time, the case would be $28 extra). During 1942 two new models were introduced to the Gibson line-up to replace the J-35 and J-55. It might be a Fairbanks or Stewart, but there is no name anywhere on the instrument. I like it. 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. Check out our banjo decal selection for the very best in unique or custom, handmade pieces from our bumper stickers shops. 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. For more detailed information, get the following book: The Larsons Creations Guitars & Mandolins by Robert Carl Hartman. Augustino & Thomas LoPrinzi Guitars usually have the date of manufacture on the label. 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. It also had a black veneered headstock (front and back) and a black inlay in the back of the neck. The neck was a broad round profile single piece mahogany with a bound coffewood fretboard and dot markers. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Copyright 2023 Banjo Hangout. The second type of headstock, as you can tell by its name, is the angled or tilted-back headstock. 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 . A total of 2,477 J-35s were made according to Gibson records. RB -- regular banjo (5-string) TB -- tenor banjo. Dreamstime is the world`s largest stock photography community. In some cases there are no pickguards. It was a refinement of the slope-shoulder design of the original Jumbo but slightly deeper: 4 13/16. Knob changes usually following other Gibson electrics. Not many were sold and the production run was therefore limited to 2 years. banjos. 1946 onward: No feet the bottom of the bridge flush on the instrument top. Modern Gibson Logo open "b" and "o". The headstock face was veneered in black. Depending on the selected source, there is disagreement about these numbers. LoPrinzi Guitars most from Plainsboro New Jersey. In some cases, teachers would First factory order number (FON) on neck block of J45s in 1942 was 907 and 923. The top and back are lightly arched, producing the deepest measurement in the center of the guitars body. A flourish inlay under The Gibson in the headstock. If the fretboard was bound, they generally added a stripe of black under the side binding. This is a high-quality instrument. their better banjos is also distinctive, with a small additional bump on either Many have no identification at all. It had binding on front, back, soundhole and the fretboard; The Gibson inlaid into the headstock and a better grade of spruce top. 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. Use them in commercial designs under lifetime, perpetual & worldwide rights. There were 431 made. serial number impressed to verso, 60 cm long 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. The Mark Series guitars had 16 3/16 lower bouts with very narrow waists, and a headstock like no other in Gibson tradition. For photographic examples of the Gibson Cf-100 and CF-100E Click Here. The Jumbos had a slight V shaped neck with the Gibson truss rod and a pointed French heal somewhat unusual for Gibson. Martin Guitars seemed to take note of the successful sales of the Gibson acoustic-electrics J-160E and CF-100Es. The 1975 price was $659. By the records, between 200 and 300 were built.