This Gibson TB-00 is a powerhouse banjo and is super lightweight! The instrument features a thin rim, with original flange, tension hoop, hooks/nuts and modern presto tailpiece.
The neck was made by Tim Davis and is super comfortable to play; notice the beautiful wood figure in the peghead!
Fresh setup with a Snuffy Smith bridge, this one has a great sound, and plenty of volume - with no tone ring!
This banjo started its life a typical Gibson Style 1 and has been been "Granadafied" with gold plating and using some other vintage style 800 parts. The tone ring is a full weight, 3 pound Gibson Style 800 ring, with tension hoop as well. Prewar flange, and tailpiece. Modern 3 ply rim with aftermarket label and number stamps to match the prewar chalk resonator numbers. Frank Neat Mahogany neck with Keith d-tuners. This banjo has an incredible look and sound!
1930s Original 5 String RB-00 Converted to a late 1940s RB-150 by Gibson Factory. This unique BOWTIE banjo has a detailed description and authentication by Jim Mills with it. It plays and sounds absolutely amazing.
All original hardware
Original case
Fon 11033A-32
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
1928 Gibson TB3 Conversion is excellent condition. FON 9113-43. This banjo plays and sounds exactly like it should! It has the original Gibson 40 hole archtop ring in it currently. If you'd like to inquire about having it converted to a flathead, we carry several conversion rings (archtop to flathead) and would be able to drop one in without doing any cutting to the rim.
The neck was made by Marty Lanham - see photos.
If you're looking for a great sounding Prewar Gibson, this is one to consider!
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