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musical instrument details

1930's Gibson MB00 conversion 5 striing banjo prewar rim and one piece flange.

Estimated price for orientation: 925 $

Category: Banjos
Class:











Description
Brand: Gibson Body Style: Closed Back
Type: 5 string Right-/ Left-Handed: Right Handed
Model: MB-00 conversion Items Included: Case
Number of Strings: 5 Country/Region of Manufacture: United States


I am starting this auction at a price which is much less than the value of the instruments parts!This 5 string banjo was converted from a circa 1937 MB-00 Mandolin Banjo.It began life as an 11 inch one piece flange 5/8" maple rim mandolin banjo with no tone ring. They were made between 1932 and 1942 And ideal for conversion These instruments did not have serial numbers or rim lables.They did have the Gibson headstock lable.The prewar rim was sent to a luthier in USA to be fitted with a flat bottomed Sullivan archtop to flathead conversion tone ring specially suitable for the Gibson slightly thinner 5/8" rim used on MB00 banjos of the period. He advised that this tone ring was the best of several options available and recommended its use. This excellent tone ring is the same one used to convert a Gibson prewar Archtop banjo to a flathead without modification.
A used Gibson style neck was sourced from Texas with mastertone markings. The neck is not an accurate copy of an orginal mastertone neck but merely a facsimile of an RB1 style used by Gibson around 1932. The maple rim and its hardware are all prewar together with the armrest,the prewar one piece flange, the maple resonator, the E2 grooved tension ring and its hooks and nuts.Some of the original flat style hooks are quite tarnished.It would be possible for the new owner to fit a notched tension hoop and round style hooks which would be more in keeping with a mastertone Banjo should they wish to.The maple neck,  tuners and the quality fully adjustable  "Fults 1934" tailpiece are modern used examples.The tone ring was obviously new. This style of high end presto style tailpiece fastens to the existing hooks and nuts.The banjo is contained in a non descript rectangular unfitted banjo/guitar instrument case which is suitable for transport to its destination  and storage.A fitted case would be better. There is the usual slight uplifting of the one piece flange normally found on prewar instruments.The resonator is the Gibson "00" three point thumb screw fixingThis may be your opportunity to own a genuine prewar Gibson conversion banjo.The original repaired heel mandolin neck without tuners is included in the sale for authenticity.
On 08-Apr-17 at 13:39:56 BST, seller added the following information: since pics taken it has been altered to twin coordinator rods and a snuffy smith bridge.