Description
Exc(-) condition / Mahogany
1-3/16″ width at nut
This recent Gibson Bowtie Mastertone parts banjo is pretty nice. Very good neck and resonator, good appointments, and a very good sound.
Traditionally built, with a traditional Yates 3-ply Maple rim and original early 1960’s Gibson Bowtie parts.
I am told that the original parts are: 1960’s Flat Head Tone Ring, one-piece flange, hooks & nuts, coordinator rods. Newer Prucha Presto tailpiece and newer Waverly 4 main tuners and Schaller 5th – all with ivoroid buttons. Appears to be newer L-brackets and tailpiece bracket. The armrest is old, as well, but I’m not sure its from an old bowtie Gibson.
Based on the venerable early RB-250 models from Gibson, with “Bowtie” peghead and inlays. Peghead is bound with cream binding and has Gibson block logo pearl inlay at top and crown inlay in center. A solid pearl truss-rod cover completes the peghead look.
Solid Pearl nut. Flat Ebony fingerboard has traditional pearl bowtie inlays and pearl “Mastertone” block at 21st fret.
Mahogany neck has cream bindings along fingerboard showing black accent line at the sides. Bass side dots for position markers.
The Mahogany resonator has the same cream bindings around top back edges, and in two concentric circles in back of resonator.
All nickel hardware, including Waverly main tuners and Schaller 5th.
There is only cursory wear on the frets, some wear o the plastic head, and some lines of finish checking in back of resonator.
This is a good banjo that is well made and sounds very good.
Comes with good hard case.
