Gibson serial numbers 1952 to 1961, solidbody model. For this reason, the array of four-digit serial number was exceeded after 9999. Thence 5 digits and no space between the year (5) and the serial number. (After 5 9999 came 510 000) Evidently the production was high in 1956 because '6 9999' is exceeded.
ARCHIVED TOPIC: Gibson's with no Serial Numbers |
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Roland6250 - Posted - 11/05/2009: 05:59:02
Is it try that some Gibson Banjos where produced with no serial numbers such as RB-100s ????
If so what models where produced with no serial numbers and when????
If so what models where produced with no serial numbers and when????
double E - Posted - 11/05/2009: 08:00:11
I cant answer your question, but I have a friend that has a older banjo that says gibson on the peg head. He has owned it since around I think the sixties, and it was used when he bought it. I think it has a tone ring. He said he dont know what year it is, and there is no serial number to be found. It appears to be original. I wonder to, if they made some without serial numbers. Maybe Greg Rich will read this post. I bet he knows the answer since he used to work for Gibson.
double E
double E
gdoc - Posted - 11/05/2009: 08:22:50
***THIS IS NOT FOR SURE*** I was told that Gibson made banjos just like the mastertone for Montgomery Wards at one time... maybe is this is true, it has something to do with that. BUT AS I SAID...THAT MAY NOT BE TURE!
gdoc
gdoc
BanjoLink - Posted - 11/05/2009: 09:21:39
Sure - Gibson made a lot of banjos without serial numbers (FON - factory order number). I just played one of the best 'the Reverend Glen O'dell' - an original pre-war five-string flathead. A significant number of the later lower grade Gibsons (pre-war) 1's, and 11's did not have numbers.
Gdoc - you are referring to the pre-war Recording Kings that Gibson made for Montgomery Ward. They are fine banjos with several models on par with the Mastertone, including the 40 hole archtop ring. There is another thread here ('who plays an archtop') where I posted a photo of my gold plated RK.
Gdoc - you are referring to the pre-war Recording Kings that Gibson made for Montgomery Ward. They are fine banjos with several models on par with the Mastertone, including the 40 hole archtop ring. There is another thread here ('who plays an archtop') where I posted a photo of my gold plated RK.
BANJOBOB549 - Posted - 11/05/2009: 09:26:12
quote:Originally posted by Roland6250Have yet to see an original that did not have a # stamped on the back of peghead or inside of wood rim. inside #,s were from 1948 to 1960 peghead #,s started in 1961
Is it try that some Gibson Banjos where produced with no serial numbers such as RB-100s ????
If so what models where produced with no serial numbers and when????
larry p - Posted - 11/05/2009: 11:00:13
Just this morning I saw an original flathead Gibson style 'TB-75' from the late 1930's that did not have a serial # of any kind anywhere on or in the banjo-and it was a genuine as any I've ever seen..
Larry Perkins
www.larryperkins.net
Larry Perkins
www.larryperkins.net
Mike Johnson - Posted - 11/05/2009: 11:02:32
FONs or 'serial #s' are present in the back of pegheads of some Gibson banjos dating from around 1938.Jim Mills has noted this in a chronology of cosmetic features .I have not seen this observation disputed by any of the scholars that contribute to the BHO.
Another Gibson produced ,quality (mastertone features)banjo line bears the name of 'Studio King'm
Mike Johnson
Another Gibson produced ,quality (mastertone features)banjo line bears the name of 'Studio King'm
Mike Johnson
BANJOBOB549 - Posted - 11/05/2009: 11:25:39
I assumed the question was about Gibson RB-100 Post War banjos. If so then I will stand by my last post. If he was refering to RB-1 or pre-wars in general, then I have seen originals with and without #,s stamped anywhere. I assumed he was speaking of RB-100 banjos which are post war,Maybe Frank or Joe could fill in certain details of RB-100 banjos without numbers. I,ve never seen a original post war without a number somewhere on the instrument,
Dustyone - Posted - 11/05/2009: 11:29:04
quote:Originally posted by BanjoLink
Sure - Gibson made a lot of banjos without serial numbers (FON - factory order number). I just played one of the best 'the Reverend Glen O'dell' - an original pre-war five-string flathead. A significant number of the later lower grade Gibsons (pre-war) 1's, and 11's did not have numbers. If this is the case?
Who could give a honest appraisle of any old Gibson banjo ?
Edited by - Dustyone on 11/05/2009 11:32:19
BanjoLink - Posted - 11/05/2009: 12:44:32
Quote: 'If this is the case?
Who could give a honest appraisle of any old Gibson banjo ?'
Dustyone - how about Jim Mills? He saw this banjo before it was purchased. Of course the photos of the original owner playing it didn't hurt either - nor the documentation that it was bought new at a local jewelry store. I also own several pre-war banjos without serial numbers, one of which is a MB-11. I am guessing it is original, as I don't think people were faking Gibson mandolin banjos.
Banjobob - he probably was asking about 100's, but I think he used the term 'like an RB-100', so I assumed it was open for interpretation. I agree with you about the numbers on the 100's.
Who could give a honest appraisle of any old Gibson banjo ?'
Dustyone - how about Jim Mills? He saw this banjo before it was purchased. Of course the photos of the original owner playing it didn't hurt either - nor the documentation that it was bought new at a local jewelry store. I also own several pre-war banjos without serial numbers, one of which is a MB-11. I am guessing it is original, as I don't think people were faking Gibson mandolin banjos.
Banjobob - he probably was asking about 100's, but I think he used the term 'like an RB-100', so I assumed it was open for interpretation. I agree with you about the numbers on the 100's.
Dustyone - Posted - 11/05/2009: 13:01:58
quote:Originally posted by BanjoLink
Quote: 'If this is the case?
Who could give a honest appraisle of any old Gibson banjo ?'
Dustyone - how about Jim Mills? He saw this banjo before it was purchased. Of course the photos of the original owner playing it didn't hurt either - nor the documentation that it was bought new at a local jewelry store. I also own several pre-war banjos without serial numbers, one of which is a MB-11. I am guessing it is original, as I don't think people were faking Gibson mandolin banjos.
Ya but how many people have that kind of information when purchasing a old
Gibson banjo? from all the contraversy I've read about gibsons banjos on BHO
I don't think I would ever buy one again?
BanjoLink - Posted - 11/05/2009: 15:06:16
Dusty - I agree with you that if you have any doubt (or are not experienced in looking and studying these old things) you should stay away from them. Remember, anyone can stamp numbers in an old (or new rim), or on the back of a peghead, so the presence or absence of numbers does not authenticate a banjo. If you have watched the Antiques Roadshow before, you will notice that when one of the experts looks at a piece of fine china or pottery, the last thing they do is to look on the bottom for a mark or signature. They verify the item based on their knowledge rather than a stamp on the bottom - same holds true with banjos!
bobbybanjo - Posted - 11/05/2009: 15:09:59
'Who could give a honest appraisle of any old Gibson banjo ?'
Lots of people could. The serial number is not the only way of identifying a prewar Gibson. People look at constriction details, materials, fit, etc, and don't forget that serial number dies were and probably still are available for those who want to make a change or an addition.
Lots of people could. The serial number is not the only way of identifying a prewar Gibson. People look at constriction details, materials, fit, etc, and don't forget that serial number dies were and probably still are available for those who want to make a change or an addition.
El Dobro - Posted - 11/05/2009: 15:36:12
The last? RB75 had no stamped serial numbers anywhere on it, just a label with info typed on it. That banjo is 100% real Gibson.
Don
http://www.myspace.com/eldobro
http://www.myspace.com/pasttimesband
http://www.pasttimesbluegrassband.com
http://www.youtube.com/user/pasttimesbluegrass
Don
http://www.myspace.com/eldobro
http://www.myspace.com/pasttimesband
http://www.pasttimesbluegrassband.com
http://www.youtube.com/user/pasttimesbluegrass
Greg Earnest - Posted - 11/06/2009: 09:12:54
Just like the Antiques Roadshow people always say about signatures on paintings, the serial number on a (supposedly) old Gibson banjo is only part of the puzzle. Serial numbers are very easily faked but the 'handwriting' of original Gibson workmanship, as Jim Mills refers to it in his book, is much harder to duplicate. The next question, of course is, 'how do you recognize the 'handwriting'?', and there's no easy answer to that one. . . you can recognize your spouse's handwriting, but could you explain to another person *how* you recognize it?
The Prewar Gibson Banjo website
http://www.earnestbanjo.com
The Prewar Gibson Banjo website
http://www.earnestbanjo.com
3fingers - Posted - 11/06/2009: 16:26:35
I'v seen a Gibson TB 3 40 hole AT that was supposedly pre war with no serial # on it anywhere and if it wasnt authentic it was by far the BEST reproduction I'v EVER seen. It had a aged Gibson warranty decal in the proper place on the rim but no serial # anywhere.
Craig
http://www.myspace.com/borrowedtyme2
Come along down to the barnyard lets have us a little banjer pickin
Jeremiah 6:16
Romans 3:23, 6:23, 5:8 10:9, 10:13, 1st John 5:10-13.
Craig
http://www.myspace.com/borrowedtyme2
Come along down to the barnyard lets have us a little banjer pickin
Jeremiah 6:16
Romans 3:23, 6:23, 5:8 10:9, 10:13, 1st John 5:10-13.
bobbybanjo - Posted - 11/06/2009: 19:55:46
quote:Originally posted by 3fingers
I'v seen a Gibson TB 3 40 hole AT that was supposedly pre war with no serial # on it anywhere and if it wasnt authentic it was by far the BEST reproduction I'v EVER seen. It had a aged Gibson warranty decal in the proper place on the rim but no serial # anywhere.
The serial number is of some value but it is limited value. We already know that some Gibsons carry duplicate serial numbers, we know that serial numbers were not always related to the sequence in which banjos left the factory, we know that some serial numbers were changed by owners later and we know that some pre war Gibsons left the factory with no serial numbers at all. Given this information, it is difficult to see why anyone would rely only on serial numbers to make any kind of determination at all. At most, they represent a 'Clue' but as most clues, serial numbers are simply one element among many in the determination of authenticity.
FXHERE - Posted - 11/07/2009: 07:34:58
I have three or four late model Gibsons without serial numbers LOL!!!!
Pre-War Picker-----New Banjo
Pre-War Picker-----New Banjo