Mastertone

Gibson Mastertone RB 250 5 String Banjo Walnut, 1975

On March 18, 2020 /

Introduced in 1954 and offered until the devastating Nashville floods of 2010, the Gibson Mastertone RB 250 was the workhorse banjo for countless serious players. The RB-250 was the entry into the Mastertone line with any of the variations on that flat head tone ring and rim system. Here we have a Gibson Mastertone RB 250 built during 1975, with a Mahogany resonator and neck and walnut-stain finish.

Vintage

This instrument has sold

Gibson Earl Scruggs Standard Mastertone Banjo, 2001

On January 19, 2020 /

Built from 1994 until a devastating flood hit Nashville in 2010, the Gibson Earl Scruggs Standard banjo reproduced the classic banjo that used by Scruggs. At first, the model was just named ‘Earl Scruggs’. The word ‘Standard’ was added in 1992, because two newer Scruggs models were introduced for the 1992 year, the ’49 Classic and the Golden Deluxe. Gibson Banjos, including the Gibson Earl Scruggs Standard Mastertone Banjo, are no longer available.

Used

This instrument has sold

Gibson TB250 Mastertone Tenor Banjo, 1969

On October 17, 2019 /

THere we have a Gibson TB250 Mastertone Tenor Banjo, built during 1969 at the historic Parsons Street shop in Kalamazoo, Michigan. This model was built from 1994 to 1996, and models from 1960 on bear the Mastertone name. Gibson banjos were the center of the banjo universe for decades, but with the rise of serious amplification and rock music, the banjo as an instrument fell out of popular favour. It was still found in various music genres, particularly Irish, traditional jazz and bluegrass, but not much beyond them.

Vintage

This instrument has sold

SOLD!! Bacon and Day Super Tenor Banjo, 1927

On August 26, 2019 /

It’s always interesting to see vintage pieces like this Bacon and Day Super Tenor banjo, built around 1927 at the Bacon Banjos shop in Boston, Massachusetts. The Super Tenor was built from 1920 to 1927. From 1906 to 1920, noted musician Fredrick Bacon sold banjos under his own name. In 1921, he partnered with David Day and while the company name remained Bacon, many instruments were branded Bacon and Day. Bacon, and Bacon and Day, operated independently until 1940 when they were purchased by Gretsch; the line was discontinued in 1967.

Vintage

This instrument has sold

Vega Deluxe Electric Tenor Banjo Sunburst Restored, 1937

On July 29, 2019 /

Here we have a real rarity from around 1937 – a restored, refinished and replated Vega Deluxe Electric Tenor Banjo, and they meant ‘Electric’ – this has a pickup! The Vega company was one of the older banjo builders in the USA, having started during 1881 in Boston, Massachusetts and acquiring the A C Fairbanks company assets in 1904 following a devastating fire at the Fairbanks plant. By the 1040s Vega was fading, and in the 1970s C F Martin purchased the company and held it until 1989 when Greg Deering bought it and re-created the Vega line.

Vintage

This instrument has sold

Gibson TB 3 Mastertone Tenor Banjo, 1926

On July 12, 2019 /

Built from 1925 to 1937, the Gibson TB 3 Mastertone tenor banjo was a popular though relatively unadorned instrument, used in jazz and banjo orchestras. As the popularity of tenor instruments waned, many of these banjos were converted with 5-string necks. This example is in largely original condition, save for the tuners.

Vintage

This instrument has sold

Mastertone

Gibson Mastertone RB 250 5 String Banjo Walnut, 1975

Gibson Earl Scruggs Standard Mastertone Banjo, 2001

Gibson TB250 Mastertone Tenor Banjo, 1969

SOLD!! Bacon and Day Super Tenor Banjo, 1927

Vega Deluxe Electric Tenor Banjo Sunburst Restored, 1937

Gibson TB 3 Mastertone Tenor Banjo, 1926

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