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John Croft, Glan Tanat, Llanyblodwel, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY10 8NQ, England. Tel: (44) 01691 - 828850.
E-Mail: theukuleleman@hotmail.com
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GIBSON RB-4 ‘Mastertone’ 5-String Banjo (1925).
This banjo is a very rare original pre-war Gibson 5-String banjo
.
It is NOT a conversion
. The pre-war Gibson RB-4 is an extremely rare model of which
there are very few other known examples
. It is made from Honduran Mahogany. This banjo’s serial number is
8134-2
, which dates it to the first year of ‘Mastertone’ manufacture in 1925, and places it in the very first batch of RB-4 ‘Mastertone’ banjos that were ever produced (batch 8134),
making it the second RB-4 ‘Mastertone’ ever to be made
.
Other than the ‘Remo’ head, the case, and a replacement bridge (and strings?), this banjo is totally original icluding the Neck - which is so often a reproduction
. Even the Armrest and Tailpiece are original.The banjo was owned by an Englsihman for 56 years, prior to which it belonged to an American serviceman who sold it to a shop in Croydon (SE London) after the Second World War. It comes complete with the Englishman’s original purchase receipt from 1948, and with the original Gibson Tension Key and original Gibson Mute. It also comes with a selection of tortoiseshell picks (with their original purchase receipt from 1949), and a lot of old banjo strings. After the owner died, this banjo was kept in its case in an attic, unplayed for over twenty years.
The condition of this banjo is amazing. The neck is dead straight and the frets and the fingerboard have almost no wear.
Even the finish is in stunning original condition
, virtually like the day she was made. There is no sign of any crazing at all and neither the finish nor the banjo have ever been altered or repaired. There is just a small mark on the back of the resonator (see photos).
This banjo is incredibly rare, totally authentic, and an important piece of Gibson banjo history
. It is of museum quality, it has a proven pedigree, and it makes a truly fabulous sound from the old ball-bearing pot. Everyone who has played it (including Professionals and Semi-Professionals) say that it is in wonderful condition, that it plays beautifully, and that it sounds fabulous.
HSC
(EXC+++) £OFFERS.
ORPHEUM ‘No.3 Special’ Tenor Banjo (1923).
Top-of-the-line ‘Orpheum’ banjo. Made of white holly with gold-plated tuning pegs. Straight neck and no wear to frets or to fingerboard. Multiple abalone inlays. Superb condition. All-original.
OHSC
(EXC) £875.
SOLD
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