Description
Description: Very Rare Vintage, Early to Mid 1970's Gibson TB-500 Mastertone Tenor 4-String Banjo
Condition: Great Shape! This is a great sounding vintage banjo with phenomenal looks and playability! The tailpiece, arm rest, tension hoop and lugs have been re-finished in gold. Various surface scratches, nicks, dings and chips throughout the instrument. No cracks, breaks or structural repairs. Frets have very light play wear and plenty of life left in them. This piece has consistent weather checking with a gorgeous patina giving it an awesome vintage vibe!
Body: 11” diameter head with 24 lugs on a gold tension hoop. Gold arm rest, tailpiece and one-piece flange. Flame maple pot with a beautiful patina and figuring, dual metal coordinator rods and a 20-hole angled tone ring. Double bound maple resonator with dual inlays on the side, dual concentric rings on the back and an eagle decal on the inside.
Neck: Maple neck with incredible flame figuring and patina. Bound Ebony fingerboard, pearloid bow-tie inlays and a 1 3/16” nut. Bound headstock overlay with Gibson logo, gold Kluson machine tuners in perfect working condition. 23” scale length. Truss rod is in perfect working condition. Neck is nice and straight.
Pickups/Electronics: This banjo has an after market Barcus Berry passive body sensor pickup added by a previous owner. The pickup has an input jack mounted to the flange but no controls. The pickup and jack are not permanently installed and can be removed.
Weight: 11lbs, 3.5oz.
Playability/Sound: This banjo offers a very rich overall tone with a warm depth and great note attack. The maple pot, resonator and angled tone ring result in a sound that is bright with the perfect amount of “plunk” to each note yet retains warmth and body. Plenty of volume and resonance on tap! The neck is extremely comfortable and suitable for any style of playing.
Case: Includes original hardshell case with original paperwork and hang tags!
