FON 9903-45. 1934 Gibson Style 3 featuring a highly sought-after one-piece flange and an authentic prewar Gibson flathead tone ring, professionally authenticated by Steve Huber and Curtis McPeake. The documentation includes a letter of authenticity from the previous owner from Huber Banjos.
The banjo features a Frank Neat mahogany 5-string neck with the classic Leaves & Bows inlay pattern. The original flange is in excellent condition, with no significant signs of warping, pulling, or distortion.
The banjo retains its original prewar hardware, including the armrest, tension hoop, hooks and nuts, and Presto tailpiece. The original Presto has been professionally punched for five-string use.
The resonator appears to have received an overspray rather than a refinish and remains in excellent condition.
The banjo has recently received a professional setup by Mike Munford and is ready to play. Plays and sounds exactly as it should!
Super cool 1930s Kalamazoo Banjo made with Gibson parts that has been altered to be a modern bluegrass machine! This banjo has a one piece flange and unplaced 20 hole flathead tone ring, still retaining its single coordinator rod, prewar grover pancake tubers, sunburst resonator and cool mojo. At some point, someone added a couple extra fretboard dots, too. Fresh setup, this one screams!
Factory Order Number: EW1800. This banjo features its original flange, tuners, and other hardware, minus the modern replaced tailpipe.1937–1939 Recording King Model 1584 (M-6) – Original 5-String, Gibson Made A rare, pre-war Recording King Model 1584 (M-6), built by Gibson in Kalamazoo for Montgomery Ward between 1937 and 1939. Though unbranded as a Gibson, this banjo was made alongside Gibson's own models and shares many of their construction features. This original five-string example features the distinctive Recording King peghead and fan inlays, a one-piece flange, grooved tension hoop, 1/2" maple rim, hoop-style tone ring, and deep curly maple resonator designed for increased volume and projection. An exceptional opportunity to own an authentic Gibson-made, pre-war five-string Recording King—one of the most desirable and collectible banjos of the era. Fresh setup, this one is great for the collector OR player!
FON 8146-12. This 1925 Ball Bearing Style 4 started its life as a tenor banjo and recently aquired a 5 strig neck making it suitable for bluegrass playing. The rim is unaltered and currently has a "drop in " conversion ring transforming it from a ball bearing construction to a flathead. The Clancy Mullins neck is super comfortable!
Fresh setup, plays and sounds exactly as it should!
FON 8207-3. This banjo is a great example of how great these Ball Bearing Tone Rings sound for bluegrass! This banjo features its original hardware except for a modern Presto tailpiece and a nice replica Style 3 neck by Clancy Mullins. Fresh setup; plays and sounds exactly as it should!
See photos, video.
FON Number: 9903-60. This one piece flange Gibson banjo is in great shape and features all of its original hardware. It has a 1980's Gibson Neck installed on it and is a great sounding bluegrass banjo! It will come with its original tenor neck, and if you'd like to discuss installing a flathead conversion ring, please inquire! This would make a great flathead banjo or keep it as is (archtop) as it sounds absolutely wonderful. See photos and video.
FON 8523-3. This 1926 Gibson Style 1 banjo retains all of its original parts, except it has a NEW Tim Davis 5 String neck making it a nice option for a lightweight banjo for bluegrass. The coke bottle / dot inlay looks great on this banjo and is a replica of its original tenor neck. Super lightweight, huge sound. Fresh setup and ready to go!
FON 8385-21. This 1926 Gibson Style 2 banjo retains all of its original parts, except it has a NEW Tim Davis 5 String neck making it a nice option for a lightweight banjo for bluegrass. The Nick Lucas Inlay pattern looks great on this banjo and is a replica of its original tenor neck. Super lightweight, huge sound. Fresh setup and ready to go!
This banjo has a brand new Tim Davis neck on it, and at some point in its life was fitted for a no-hole chrome plated tone ring, which it currently still retains. Nice Gibson label on the inside of the rim, and great feeling instrument! Check out the Style 11 inlay pattern on the rosewood fingerboard, and still enjoy the classic percoid resonator which is in great shape! Fresh setup, ready to go!
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 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!
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!
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