Mastertone

Gibson TB 3 Mastertone Tenor Banjo, 1927-28

On July 12, 2019 /

The Gibson TB 3 Mastertone tenor banjo – the TB actually stands for Tenor Banjo – features a plain Maple rim and resonator, with Mahogany for the neck and Rosewood, likely Brazilian given the date, for the fingerboard. The tone ring and flange designs changed at least three times during the TB 3’s production. Initial 1925 and early 1926 models used a classic ball-bearing tone ring, then for later 1926-1928 a solid archtop tone ring, and finally the flathead tone ring for 1929.

Vintage

This instrument has sold

Gibson UB4 Banjo Ukulele Mahogany, 1932

On June 12, 2019 /

The Gibson UB4 Banjo Ukulele was built in Kalamazoo, Michigan from 1927 to 1935, and again in 1938. Gibson was relatively slow to the Ukulele market, but had been building banjos since at least 1918. The UB-4 is a professional grade instrument, with full flange and resonator. Gibson also offered the UB-5, which was this same instrument but with gold plated metal parts. This trim level would put it in the Mastertone range, but these Ukuleles don’t have the Mastertone tone ring.

Vintage

This instrument has sold

Gibson RB-250 Mastertone 5-String Banjo Mahogany, 1998

On November 15, 2018 /

The Gibson RB-250 – or Regular Banjo – became the workhorse, standard instrument for country and bluegrass players after it introduction in 1954. It was built until 2010, when flooding destroyed the Nashville workshop.

Used

This instrument has sold

Gibson RB-250 Banjo Mahogany, 1998

On September 26, 2018 /

This Gibson RB-250 example dates to 1998 and is good working order. It has just been completely worked over and set up by Anne Hartman at The Twelfth Fret. Fret wear is moderate but it plays cleanly, and delivers that loud, clear Gibson banjo sound. There is visible wear on the arm-rest plating, sure signs that it’s been used as intended, and that’s a good thing.

Used

This instrument has sold

Gibson Mastertone RB250 5 String Banjo, 2003

On September 8, 2018 /

For decades, the Gibson Mastertone RB250 banjo was the benchmark, workhorse banjo for countless players in country and bluegrass styles. During the later 1960’s and the 1970’s, however, quality suffered, until in 1984 Gibson hired Greg Rich to revamp the line and bring quality back to its original high level.

Used

This instrument has sold

Gibson TB-250 Tenor Banjo, 1966

On May 31, 2018 /

For quite some time, Gibson banjos were standard professional grade instruments, and the Gibson TB-250 was their ‘entry level’ tenor banjo. From 1966 it was available as a MasterTone model with that tone ring. This model was built from 1954 to 1996.

Vintage

This instrument has sold

Mastertone

Gibson TB 3 Mastertone Tenor Banjo, 1927-28

Gibson UB4 Banjo Ukulele Mahogany, 1932

Gibson RB-250 Mastertone 5-String Banjo Mahogany, 1998

Gibson RB-250 Banjo Mahogany, 1998

Gibson Mastertone RB250 5 String Banjo, 2003

Gibson TB-250 Tenor Banjo, 1966

THE TWELFTH FRET

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