Has anyone had any experience playing one of these 1920's Gibson tenors? Other than photos on the web I've never seen one much less played or heard one. Supposed to have fantastic tone, especially the 1925 & later Mastertone models - a lot of them are starting to go the way of other prewar Gibson tenors, getting converted to bluegrass 5-strings.
BTW, Hi everyone! I've been lurking for about a month now. What a great site - wish I'd had a resource like this when I started into ITM 14 or 15 years ago
I've got a Gibson 1927 TB3. Yes they are a classy instrument. I bought mine about ten years ago from Mandolin Bros in Staten island. I've seen three others and I think they are hard to beat. I know they were at one time regarded as the standard for tenor banjos to aspire to, but in terms of gigging, they are "old ladies" and for that reason many of the top players are using new instruments on the road. I bet they don't sell on the Gibson though!
Mine's got the original Grover tuners, which can be a little troublesome, so I have been considering an upgrade on that front, but for tone and volume you can't beat a pre-war Gibson.
I have a longer-necked plectrum Gibson Mastertone from that same period, still has the same head it had on it when my Grandfather bought it during the depression, has a lovely mellow tone to it. But yes, those original tuners are more than a little difficult, especially when you are used to the precision of more modern tuners. And it is a heavy little thing.
The Twenties Mastertones underwent a significant evolution from 1925 to 1930 during which time the tone ring, rim, and flange changed quite a bit. The reasonfor the change was economic, not artistic or even to enhance the sound, but it did develop the characteristic Gibson sound of the thirties. I have a 1925 tenor which I like a lot and there is one famous banjo player that I know of who uses one for ITM.
There are two drawbacks to the Gibsons, cost and tone. Because they are the choice of bleugrass musicians, pre-war Gibson Mastertones are priced way out of the norm for a good banjo in that era. Be prepared to spend $2000 - $3000 for a 1925/6 and a lot more for subsequent years especially for a flathead. (The Holy Grail is a 1935 flathead, look at $50,000 or more) while a similar (in quality) Vega Professional can be had for $1000 or even less.
A lot of players don't like the Gibson sound preferring the Vega, B&D, Weymann, Paramount, Epiphone, etc. sound instead. It is a matter of personal taste. The only exception seems to be the high end English banjos which are costly because they are played by famous people and have the sound associated with those players. (Incidentally the reason Gibsons are so pricey is that Earl Scruggs plays one. No other reason.)
I disagree with the thought that a modern banjo is a better instrument. Try and find a new banjo for $1000 that can give you that vintage sound. It is easy to put on a set of Gotoh Tuners (about $64), a new bridge, strings and head and have a wonderful instrument that is as good or better than a new banjo and will hold its value.
If you fall into an older Gibson and love the sound, get it as it will never lose its value and may accrue more as time goes on. But if you are just looking for a good instrument, get one of the others.
Gibson ball-bearing banjos
Gibson ball-bearing banjos
Has anyone had any experience playing one of these 1920's Gibson tenors? Other than photos on the web I've never seen one much less played or heard one. Supposed to have fantastic tone, especially the 1925 & later Mastertone models - a lot of them are starting to go the way of other prewar Gibson tenors, getting converted to bluegrass 5-strings.
BTW, Hi everyone! I've been lurking for about a month now. What a great site - wish I'd had a resource like this when I started into ITM 14 or 15 years ago
David
# Posted on August 5th 2005 by pickndude
Re: Gibson ball-bearing banjos
I've got a Gibson 1927 TB3. Yes they are a classy instrument. I bought mine about ten years ago from Mandolin Bros in Staten island. I've seen three others and I think they are hard to beat. I know they were at one time regarded as the standard for tenor banjos to aspire to, but in terms of gigging, they are "old ladies" and for that reason many of the top players are using new instruments on the road. I bet they don't sell on the Gibson though!
Mine's got the original Grover tuners, which can be a little troublesome, so I have been considering an upgrade on that front, but for tone and volume you can't beat a pre-war Gibson.
# Posted on August 5th 2005 by Backer
Re: Gibson ball-bearing banjos
I have a longer-necked plectrum Gibson Mastertone from that same period, still has the same head it had on it when my Grandfather bought it during the depression, has a lovely mellow tone to it. But yes, those original tuners are more than a little difficult, especially when you are used to the precision of more modern tuners. And it is a heavy little thing.
# Posted on August 5th 2005 by AlBrown
Re: Gibson ball-bearing banjos
David,
The Twenties Mastertones underwent a significant evolution from 1925 to 1930 during which time the tone ring, rim, and flange changed quite a bit. The reasonfor the change was economic, not artistic or even to enhance the sound, but it did develop the characteristic Gibson sound of the thirties. I have a 1925 tenor which I like a lot and there is one famous banjo player that I know of who uses one for ITM.
There are two drawbacks to the Gibsons, cost and tone. Because they are the choice of bleugrass musicians, pre-war Gibson Mastertones are priced way out of the norm for a good banjo in that era. Be prepared to spend $2000 - $3000 for a 1925/6 and a lot more for subsequent years especially for a flathead. (The Holy Grail is a 1935 flathead, look at $50,000 or more) while a similar (in quality) Vega Professional can be had for $1000 or even less.
A lot of players don't like the Gibson sound preferring the Vega, B&D, Weymann, Paramount, Epiphone, etc. sound instead. It is a matter of personal taste. The only exception seems to be the high end English banjos which are costly because they are played by famous people and have the sound associated with those players. (Incidentally the reason Gibsons are so pricey is that Earl Scruggs plays one. No other reason.)
I disagree with the thought that a modern banjo is a better instrument. Try and find a new banjo for $1000 that can give you that vintage sound. It is easy to put on a set of Gotoh Tuners (about $64), a new bridge, strings and head and have a wonderful instrument that is as good or better than a new banjo and will hold its value.
If you fall into an older Gibson and love the sound, get it as it will never lose its value and may accrue more as time goes on. But if you are just looking for a good instrument, get one of the others.
Mike Keyes
http://www.banjosessions.com/aug05/righthand.html
# Posted on August 9th 2005 by mikeyes