Gibson TB-00 Tenor Banjo , c. 1937

Gibson  TB-00 Tenor Banjo ,  c. 1937
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Item # 10157
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Gibson TB-00 Model Tenor Banjo, c. 1937, made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, sunburst resonator, natural rim, dark mahogany neck finish, mahogany neck, maple rim and resonator, original black hard shell case.

Some instruments get played a lot right way, or get well used over time; some get played briefly then sit in church attics for decades waiting to be discovered again. Such is the case with this Gibson banjo, which was recently unearthed after apparently resting unused since before WWII. While this is a lower end tenor model, it is still rare these days to find a prewar instrument in this state of preservation.

This TB-00 was the least expensive banjo in Gibson's 1030s line but still a something of a rarity. Style 00 banjos retailed originally at $30.00 and were available from the mid-'30s up until WWII. As is the case with this one they usually carry no serial number, making them impossible to date exactly. This one matches the 1937 catalog listing perfectly. The features on these tend to be inconsistent as well, with different versions assembled from stocks of parts which may have been intended for other instruments originally! By the late 1930's banjos were no longer a priority for Gibson and even well before WWII they often seem to have been put together somewhat randomly from whatever was lying around the factory.

This TB-00's plain-finished rim is a thin 1/2" laminate peculiar to the 00 series, but carrying the familiar cast one-piece Mastertone flange and a single coordinator rod/bolt neck attachment. That flange is the most desirable component as it the authentic and a much sought-after pre-war Mastertone part, which is fairly fragile and subject to cracking. This one is in excellent shape with minimal distortion. There is no tone ring fitted to the beveled rim and the hoop is fairly thin, while the hooks and armrest are standard Gibson fittings.

The maple neck is shaded sunburst finished on the back and has a pointed Kalamazoo-like headstock with a white script silkscreened Gibson logo on the black-painted face. The rosewood fingerboard is inlayed with pearl dots and has no binding. The tuners are two-tab Grovers with white celluloid buttons and the nut is plain ebony. Unlike the even cheaper Kalamazoo line banjos this Gibson is equipped with both an adjustable truss rod and an arched-back resonator, which is bound only on the bottom edge. The back and sides feature a nicely shaded sunburst effect.

While a low-end banjo this is still a pre-war Gibson in the Mastertone format. Most banjos of this type end up getting converted or cannibalized for 5-string use; We hope this one avoids that fate after waiting so many years hidden away, but at least it is back out in the world ready to be played in some form or other!
 
Overall length is 34 in. (86.4 cm.), 11 in. (27.9 cm.) diameter head, and 3 7/16 in. (8.7 cm.) deep. Scale length is 22 1/2 in. (572 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/8 in. (29 mm.).

This banjo has some light signs of wear but is all original and exceptionally well preserved. The finish has a few small dings and dents but still shines like it did during FDR's second term. The hardware is all original with some light wear to the plating. One of the tiny tines is broken off (under the cover) on the universal tailpiece, but there are more than enough left intact to use.

The (original or at least period) calf skin head has some dirt from playing on the surface but is completely solid and sounds great. A spare period bridge is in the pocket of the very clean original purple-lined hard shell case, along with some period Black Diamond strings, which are always good Mojo. This is simply a lovely time-capsule package, and still a very good playing and sounding tenor especially considering its budget origins. Overall Excellent + Condition.