Bottom belly ebony bridge with pyramids on the wings, Silk-screened script @ 15 degrees +/-: The Gibson, 3 on a plate open gear tuners white or black buttons, Top and body becomes all mahogany amber finish, Extra bridge pin centered below 6 in a line, L-0 Flattened lower bout increased to 14, Reintroduced as the least expensive Gibson flat-top @ $25, Body depth 3 ? at the neck and 4 3/8 at the heel, Pearl dot makers and double dots on the 12th fret, Old script silk-screened diagonal logo: The Gibson or just Gibson, Some striped tortoise plastic pickguards after 1933, Some bright white plastic pickguards after 1933, L-00 introduced as Gibsons lowest price flat-top @ $37.50, Small round amber area of sunburst just below the soundhole, Striped tortoise plastic pickguards added, Dot position markers on the fretboard edge, A few with banner logos decals on the headstocks, Light amber top Sheraton brown back & sides, Old script silk-screened diagonal logo: The Gibson, Flattened lower bout increased to 14 (possibly, Soundhole, bridge and bracing moved to compensate, Similar to the L-00 but with heavier braces, Pearl dot fretboard markers double on 12, Gold sparkle inlayed around top & soundhole, Tailpiece adjustable bridge option discontinued, Speckled celluloid pickguard added as an option, Some had 2 top braces under the fingerboard extension vs. one, Rosewood fretboard rectangle inlays at 3, 5, 7, 9, 12 & 15, Pearl diamond inlays in the rosewood rectangles, Gibson pearl diagonal headstock inlay in rosewood, in Pearloid, Pearloid headstock veneer replace with rosewood, Bound headstock, pearl Gibson, pearl truss rod cover and notched diamond inlay, No headstock binding, black truss rod cover and elongated diamond inlay, Body depth 4 at the neck and 4 5/8 at the heel, Brazilian rosewood pyramid bottom belly bridge, The Gibson pearl angled logo inlayed on headstock, Nick Lucas Special white label with picture of Nick Lucas, 14 fret neck to body joints (phased in by this time), Trapeze tailpiece with adjustable bridge option. 1955: Gibson stopped scalloping the bracing it was faster to produce but not as strong. See also: Gibson J-160E for more historical context. There were 5226 made. I own the book and have found it to be an invaluable resource in identifying these old guitars. If the serial number is legible the instrument can be relatively easy to date. 1959: Larger crown frets and the adjustable bridge. This technique of supplying interchangeable saddles/bridges was not new, it had been used by Selmer in France for their Maccaferri style instruments since the 1930s. The birch sides and back were stained red. Following many prototypes, shapes and bracing patterns, the Mark Series was launched in 1975. Tuners, hardware and tailpieces were probably purchased from Lyon and Healy who had a factory just down the street from the Larson shop. Late 1930s through 1942: ? adjustment wheels 2 feet and extensions on top of the base for the wheels. Martin introduced the large body dreadnaught in 1932 It was bigger, bolder, and louder than anything Gibson had to offer. Though there appear to be exceptions, necks between 1912 and 1923 are 3-piece mahogany. The standard early Gibson A models had a soft V shaped neck. Gold script Gibson logo, Pickguard: Tiger-striped & teardrop shape, Finish: brown sunburst top finish, dark brown mahogany back and sides and neck, Body Binding: 7-ply top binding and single ply back binding, Tuners: Kluson Mfg Chicago and Pat. stamped into the plate in a circle around the attachment screws, plastic button usually white but sometimes black), Tortoise-shell teardrop pickguard replaced the tiger stripe material, Single bound top and back, multi-bound rosette, Mahogany neck but a few Maple necks with a single walnut stripe down the center (3 piece neck), Three layer w/b/w tops and single layer back binding, Mahogany neck block with beveled sides, changed to a mahogany neck block with square sides, Tuners were 3-on-a-plate Klusons with exposed gears and Kluson Mfg Chicago and Pat. stamped into the plate in a circle around the attachment screws, plastic buttons (usually white but sometimes black) and 1/4 diameter posts. The Gibson LG series of flat-top guitars were developed as the natural evolution of the earlier L-Series. Format: 2 (Identifier) YY (Year) XXXX (Numerical ID) Example: Serial number . These bridges had movable saddles up to about 1917 when they changed to a one-piece compensating bridge design through early 1921. Take a closer look at the serial number found on the back of the headstock and reference the guide below. The Maurer Company records have been lost. When he passed, my grandmother bought it for me from his brother who was attempting to liquify his collection. Gold-plated tuning gears, LOTS of abalone inlay. Dreamstime is the world`s largest stock photography community. The Jumbos had a slight V shaped neck with the Gibson truss rod and a pointed French heal somewhat unusual for Gibson. Over time the J-35 braces began to appear scalloped. Numerous articles in Vintage Guitar Magazine over the years. Gibson hoped to score the same type of success that had occurred with Lloyd Loar in the 1920s: redefining the acoustic guitar for generations to come. It shared many features with the L-5 archtop electric acoustic: The neck was basically an L-5 neck in scale, section and detail. Hard-case rugged and gig-bag light! A-series Factory location: New York City from start to 1971. Frets refers to the number of frets that are clear of the body. Gibson had helped in the war effort and seen many employees enlist. The A.C. Fairbanks Company (incorporated 1875) was succeeded in 1903 by the Vega Company (established 1889). Art Studios. $ 5,719.00 $ 5,149.00. peghead shape. The pickguard was longer than earlier models and it had a moustache bridge (though slightly smaller and less ornate than that used on the SJ-200). The grade of top wood was tighter grained. It's always made of hardwood such as ebony and makes up the front-facing top half of the banjo's neck. Download Old Banjo stock photos. Its price tag was $55 as compared to the Martin D-18 at $65 and D-28 at $100. Gibson changed the name again in the 1950s to the SJ-200. 1890s into 1907: Inlaid into the top of the instrument. Please read the section on J-35s and J-55s as the J-45s and Southerner Jumbos replaced the earlier models it was a natural evolution. It's difficult to positively identify the manufacturer of these . There is a Kay company logo on the headstock but absolutely no other identifying marks. The concept behind the J-45 was a high quality, affordable, big-sounding acoustic flat-top guitar. CLR, Classic guitar with Indian rosewood back and sides, decorated binding, gold tuners. It is the only typical American (USA) instrument, starting off as an instrument of the African slaves, then via the Minstrel Shows becoming part of typical American music styles like Jazz, Dixieland, Bluegrass, etc. Though you were told there was only12 of this model made, it will not be any more valuable than if there 10,000 made. S2R3H, identical to S2R, but with 3-piece back, full herringbone purflings, gold tuners. expressed on the sides and back of the 1934 versions. Gibson developed the truss rod in 1921. It was a refinement of the slope-shoulder design of the original Jumbo but slightly deeper: 4 13/16. Martins 1st steel string: 1922, 18 Mahogany body after 1917, no volute on headstock, 40 Rosewood body, MOP top & soundhole but not neck base, 41 Rosewood body, MOP top & soundhole but not neck base, 1969+ D-only, 42 Rosewood body, MOP top, soundhole & neck base but not sides, 45 Rosewood body, MOP top, soundhole, neck base & sides, S (1967 on) 12 fret neck, slotted headstock, Dyer (1906 1923?) At least then you will know the model name. The 1975 price was $1,999. In some cases, teachers would purchase these instruments and put their own names on them, but in many other cases they carry no identifying name at all. Width at nut 1 11/16, scale 24 3/4. The above Peghead Shapes are existing patterns. LG-0 | Introduced 1958 | Discontinued 1973, LG-1 | Introduced 1947 | Discontinued 1968, LG-2 | Introduced 1942 | Discontinued 1962, LG-2- | Introduced 1949 | Discontinued 1962, LG-3 | Introduced 1946 | Discontinued 1963, B-25 | Introduced 1962 | Discontinued 1976, FJ-N | Introduced 1963 | Discontinued 1970, F-25 | Introduced 1963 | Discontinued 1970, B-15 | Introduced 1967 | Discontinued 1970, Brazilian rosewood rectangular through bridges, 2 screws in the bridge with MOP dot covers, Basically the same as LG-1 with a mahogany top, Single plastic tortoise shell binding top and back, Narrow neck design with 14 degree headstock angle, Same basic guitar as LG-2 with average wood, Wood imperfections covered by a dark sunburst, Tall scalloped braces change to low-profile rough cut, Enlarged rectangular bridge with closed slot, Fire striped plastic pickguard teardrop shape, Last use of the Banner decal on headstocks, Basically the same as an LG-2 with better materials, Bottom belly rosewood bridges with adjustable saddles, Back, sides and neck finished in walnut stain, Body shape: 16 wide, round shoulder dreadnought shape, Top: Select spruce, 2-piece bookmatched with scalloped X-bracing, Neck: mahogany, single piece, unbound, 19 fret, dot markers, Bridges: Rosewood belly-down. It was the heart of the depression and the instruments cost $60 without a case. Some rectangular examples, Headstock appointments: Decal Only a Gibson is Good Enough banner. If1970s, would be Japanese, more likely. It was reintroduced in limited editions in 1991. The fingerboard of the L-5S is in with select abalone. They are maintained by Donna LoPrinzi in Clearwater Florida. Late 1960's Gibson Logo around 1969 with no dot over the "i". CLB, Classic guitar of Brazilian rosewood, gold tuners. They were now able to get better materials. MK-35 models were mahogany back & sides, rosewood fingerboards with dot inlays & nickel hardware. You may, however, start a new topic and refer to this topic with a link: http://www.banjohangout.org/archive/276603. Post war logo, 1947/8 to '60s found on various guitar like Melody Maker, Les Paul Jr, Special, Lg0, Lg2, Sg Jr, Special, ecc, ecc.Note the dot link to G. '70 Gold logo - Decal instead silkscreening. Considering that Gibson was using a double X bracing for most of its other flat top guitars during that period, these instruments, with their modified fan bracing, stand out as some of the better sounding Gibsons of the time. For example: Gretsch stopped production of Bacon and B&D banjos. C-series Factory location: Hinsdale, New Hampshire from 1973 to 1979, D-series Factory location: West Sansei, New Hampshire from 1980 to 1981, The designation S refers to the body size: 2 & 3 (increasing with number value). Each type of banjo head has a unique contribution to your banjo's tone. About Larrive Guitar Labels Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Copyright 2023 Banjo Hangout. It appears to be all original except for the bridge, which appears to be a banjo bridge crudely slotted for 8 strings, and the head, which is probably plastic. Higher grade models (such as the Super 400, L-5, J-200, etc.) The LG-Series is 2 narrower than the J-Series. Scott Zimmerman may be able to shed some light on this. If you want to use any of this information:
Thanks for any assistance you can provide. These appear to have a unique serial number scheme. The necks and heels were rounder. The 1934 was single bound, front and back with dot markers on the rosewood fretboard and a horizontal script logo inlay on the headstock. Thanks for the feedback! department to department had 40 cubbyholes. banjo headstock identification new harrisonburg high school good friday agreement, brexit June 29, 2022 fabletics madelaine petsch 2021 0 when is property considered abandoned after a divorce This is a high-quality instrument. MK-53 models were maple back & sides, rosewood fingerboards with dot inlays & nickel hardware. 587 Similar to 585 but with pearl (vs ivoroid) tuner buttons. The later pickguard clamps have a stamped patent date of July 4, 1911. I like it. Saga Bella Voce 70/80. The headstock carried an inlayed script Gibson. The original price in 1942 was $45. MK-35-12 models were only made in 1977. 1952: The headstock gold decal logo was replaced by an inlayed pearl script and crown. The instruments had modified fan bracing and asymmetrical bridges. It took Gibson 2 years to develop their response: The Jumbo of 1934. The original V shape of the necks of the J-35s was replaced by distinctly round necks (baseball bats) and a tear drop pickguard. This is a strong playing. David L. Day was in his 70s. Other similar details include: single-cutaway body, ebony fingerboard with block inlays, flowerpot headstock inlay, L-5 tailpiece with contrasting silver on gold with L-5 engraving (changed to TP-6 in 1978) and multilayer body binding throughout. George Youngblood of Youngbloods Music Workshop. There were 1229 made. Serial Numbers. LoPrinzi Guitars Plainsboro, New Jersey AMF years (serial numbers: high 3,000 4,000s) Tom LoPrinzi was still with the company. A total of 2,477 J-35s were made according to Gibson records. Since that day in 1989, Deering has breathed new life into the Vega name, blending over a century of tradition with Deering's banjo building expertise, to create a range of heritage rich open back and longneck banjos that are as integral to the modern folk . See Martin Serial Numbers for a dating information. Occasionally the labels have fallen out or been removed during repairs making it a bit trickier to date the instruments. Cherry Sunburst is still available. Skip to main content. The last of the Mark Series was built in 1979. Buckbee (1861-1897) banjos can frequently be identified by their
Mid 1950s: the pickguard changed from the teardrop to the larger undulating shape like the pre-war J-35s. Like everything else connected to instrument identification issues there are many exceptions. According to the Gibson catalog, natural finish was the only option in 1939 but we are told that at least 2 examples exist of a cherry sunburst from the same period. Some SJNs with plastic Special Bridges. The appointments of the Southerner Jumbo included more top binding and an additional set of rosette rings. The neck holds the strings secure using tuners, four of which are located at the peghead, with the fifth string tuning peg located almost halfway up the neck. Every banjo has a story. Steel Guitar. The Aria 921C was a good quality 5-string banjo made in the early 1970s. Because there are few of these instruments around, little has been written about them, though some did find their way into the hands of influential artists of the day. Early 1970's block shaped no dot over the "i" closed "b" and . The soundhole binding does not extend the full depth of the soundhole. The following are believed to be accurate known numbers: The following serial numbers are approximate at best. Martin Flat Top Guitar Body Sizes and Designations: The body size designation is stamped on the neck block starting in October 1930. You may, . This is the smallest model, chrome tuners. So far as I can find Gibson appears to have only made "Stewart" instruments for a couple of years in the early 1930s. Deering. Yes, please do post your tune here on this page. It is not clear how many were made, but it is likely that there are less than 12. Information gleamed from the Mandolin Cafs website over the years. I have owned a beautiful Kay company banjo for over 30 years. A flourish inlay under The Gibson in the headstock. The back braces were tall and thin and Gibson scalloped the top braces. Identification. GIBSON GARAGE FIND A DEALER GIBSON APP. The Mark Series, though not a wild success in terms of overall sales, did sell reasonably well. Features: Carved curly maple body, with ornate multilayer binding, laminated maple neck, ebony fingerboard with abalone block inlays, gold-plated hardware throughout, two gold plated pickups with separate volume and tone, three-way selector switch. Most were 3-piece solid maple bodies. The one delivered first to Ray Whitley was not the model now seen as the beginning of the Super Jumbos, but a simpler 12 fret version. The Gibson Southerner Jumbo was introduced in 1942 and discontinued in 1978. of their later banjos had elite tailpieces, Orpheum-like hardware, and long,
Example: S3021234 = Samick Korea / 1993 / February . Larger top braces used, and bigger solid wood bridge plate and larger bottom-belly bridge. It would have helped if the Larson brothers had sequential serial numbers but there is just enough contradictory evidence to prevent one from trusting numbers that appear to be sequential. 562 Standard size with rosewood back & sides, MOP and colored wood appointments. Not many were sold and the production run was therefore limited to 2 years. The 2nd delivery to Ray Whitley was the more refined 14 fret SJ that is so well photo-dicumented. Gibson introduced their first adjustable belly bridge 2 screws to raise and lower the bridge. Bridges: Ebony Sometimes with a flattened pyramid rectangular bridge shape.