1929 Gibson TB-6 Conversion- SOLD

$14,450.00

Out of stock

Description

Exc+ condition  /  SN: 9262-25
40-hole Archtop  /  Tube & Plate Flange
Checkerboard Binding  /  Gold Engraved Hardware
1-5/32″ width at nut
Argentine Gray Sunburst finish
Amazing Maple figure

This 1929 Gibson TB-6 conversion banjo is quite a peach! Rarer than you may think, these prized banjos are one of the most extensive ornate models as to it’s bindings, fabulous wood figure, and gold engraved parts, of any of Gibson’s showy banjos.
Maple construction, with very showy wood figure in resonator, with the resonator back having quite intense burl, quilt, birds-eye, and flame figure almost all at once. The more recent neck, from a currently unknown builder, also shows nice Maple figure and fine craftsmanship.

The fiddle peghead is true to the originals with bold checkerboard bindings around the peghead. Gibson script pearl inlay is at the top with lots of tasteful pearl all around the peghead. Newer black plastic truss rod cover. The nut appears to be Ivory. The flat Ebony fingerboard has the “hearts and flowers” inlay and further checkerboard bindings seen on the left and right of the fingerboard face, as well as checkerboard purflings along the left and right sides. The heel cap shows the same look with long stripes of the same checkerboard material with cream bindings and with multiple dark, light, dark wood purfling between the heel and the heel cap. The Ebony peghead veneer is also situated on dark, light, dark wood decorative strips between the peghead and the peghead veneer. The resonator is appointed similar to the fingerboard, with cream outer bindings and checkerboard purfling seen on the side wall. The heavy fiddle figure in the Maple neck is great and is very much enhanced by the special Argentine Gray sunburst. This is also true of the resonator. Fantastic Maple figure on the back of the resonator and side walls.

Inside the resonator near the neck notch, is the serial number painted partially in gold paint “9262” and “25” in chalk to matched the stamped number in the rim. Inside the rim, with the resonator off, you can quickly tell all the essential hardware is original. The 40-hole tone ring is in good shape, all the nuts and essential hardware are original. The only thing to mention is there is no engraving on the tailpiece, but the tailpiece appears to be old and original. The tailpiece has “Grover.Patent” stamped.

Tuners: the first and fourth tuner are the original Grover Pat. with the original crews and washers and the original solid mother of pearl buttons, while the second and third tuners are an old vintage set of Keith tuners that have “Keith Bump Scruggs” stamped on the housing. The fifth string tuner is a modern Gold Schaller tuner.

The Hardware: The hardware on this banjo is gold and pretty much complete and original. The tube & plate flange, with plate engraved 40-hole archtop tone ring is engraved on the outside skirt that you see above the flange. The tension hoop is engraved on the side wall as well as the top edge. The single bracket armrest is engraved on the face. Even the L-brackets and the L-bracket round head slotted attaching screws are original.

There is nothing amiss about this banjo. Every year past 1929 when this was made, it becomes harder to find one that has the original parts and the wood having not been refinished. This is a very high grade of originality throughout the banjo; the serial numbers all match, the label is in tact, no sign of rough handling, no signs of parts being replaced, and certainly no sign of any repairs.

This banjo is in great shape and plays like a dream…

Comes with a good HC.