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.
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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