1929 Gibson Style 1 Banjo – Prewar Tone with First-Generation One-Piece Flange FON 9542-23
This 1929 Gibson Style 1 banjo retains all of its original hardware, including the highly sought-after first-generation one-piece flange—a key feature for collectors and players alike. Remarkably, the flange is in excellent condition, a rarity for instruments of this era.
The banjo features a beautifully crafted mahogany Sullivan neck with the correct inlay pattern for this model, offering both period accuracy and modern playability. It's been outfitted with a new Huber HR-30 Tone Ring and a Cockrum bridge, and it has just received a fresh professional setup. The result? That unmistakable Prewar Gibson Flathead Mastertone sound—powerful, rich, and responsive.
The resonator shows honest playwear with some scuffs and scratches, adding character and vintage mojo to this nearly 100-year-old instrument.
1930s Gibson Style 00 Conversion Banjo with a brand new Tim Davis Neck! This Mahogany banjo has a fresh setup with a brand new neck we had built specifically for this instrument! There's no tone ring; in fact there's no brass hoop...which makes this banjo the lightest Prewar Gibson banjo configuration. New tuners, neck, head, bridge; plays and sounds exactly as it should! Original Prewar armrest, tension hoop, hooks and nuts and flange are all in great condition.
Looking for a reasonably priced Prewar Gibson Conversion Banjo that won't break your back? This might be the one!
F.O.N. 9691-3. This 1930 Gibson Banjo started its life as a tenor banjo as was recently converted with a brand new neck made by Tim Davis specifically for this banjo. It features the original (prewar) tension hoop, flange, armrest, hooks and nuts, and resonator screws. It has all of the magic the a Prewar Gibson Banjo should have and is a few pounds lighter than most bluegrass banjos in that it hasn't been cut for a tone ring.
This is one of the best sounding and playing Prewar Conversions to have come though Turtle Hill Banjo Co, by far! Fresh setup with new head, and Prucha bridge.
F.O.N. 8353-59. This Gibson banjo started its life as a tenor banjo (TB-2) made in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1926. It is currently setup with a 5 string string conversion neck made by Tom Nechville with its "flux capacitor" design making it extremely easy to change the neck angle on this instrument. Simply take an Allen wrench to loosen the neck joint, and set your banjo's action higher or lower in just a couple of seconds. This is a great design to also try different height bridges without requiring "major surgery" on your banjo!
The metal parts on this banjo are all prewar Gibson, except for the armrest. This banjo hasn't been cut for a tone ring, so play it as is and enjoy a nice sounding lightweight banjo, or use this as an opportunity to put a tone ring in it!
These conversion necks are EXTREMELY rare, if you're looking for a Prewar Gibson that feels like a Nechville Banjo, this might be one to consider!
The pot on this extremely rare banjo was, in all probability, built in 1927, and the neck a decade later. There is no carving on the neck, and the peghead inlay is completely different than on the standard Bella Voce. It is absolutely original, with tube and plate flange and a 40-hole archtop tone ring. We had Richie Dotson build a 5-string neck that matches the original perfectly. It is a really neat instrument and you'll probably never see another like it! Click here for pictures
F.O.N. 9356-23. This Gibson Granada started its life as a four string, and makes an incredible 5 string bluegrass conversion. It features its original metal hardware, minus a couple of hooks and nuts that have been replaced. Raised head, 40 hole archtop tone ring, 2 Piece Flange Construction! New head, fresh setup. This fat rim banjo is a desirable year for Gibson Granadas and shows off its patina from years of being loved throughout the last 95 years!
The neck is well made with an ebony fretboard and hearts and flowers inlay pattern, nut appears to not have a truss rod. There is a good amount of relief in the neck now, with no adjustment needed. It may have a non adjustable truss rod in it, but we can't confirm this. Keep the neck on it and play it no problem, or buy this at a bit of a discount and put your dream neck on it!
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