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Author Topic:  1923 Gibson Mastertone Tenor banjo
David L. Donald


From:
Koh Samui Island, Thailand
Post  Posted 7 Jun 2004 2:59 pm    
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4 string tenor banjo. Excellent condition.
original case in good condition too.
Tuners replaced, but original tuners included.

Great for Dixieland etc. But fine for general pickin one way or another. I played it for a 1/2 hour this weekend. And I used to play a '29 Mastertone 5 string, so I know how it should sound and feel.


In France. Asking 2000€ for collectors item.
I am not the sellor, but he wants to buy a steel.
So who can argue, selling a banjo to buy a steel...
should warm b0b's heart!
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Joey Ace


From:
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Post  Posted 7 Jun 2004 3:57 pm    
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Maybe b0b would trade one of his Steels for it.
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David L. Donald


From:
Koh Samui Island, Thailand
Post  Posted 8 Jun 2004 12:42 am    
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Yeah, another banjo taken out of circulation...
you funny bunny all going to the
Bobby Lee Home for Permanently Retired Banjos.
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David L. Donald


From:
Koh Samui Island, Thailand
Post  Posted 13 Jun 2004 2:05 pm    
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final bump
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b0b


From:
Cloverdale, CA, USA
Post  Posted 13 Jun 2004 8:18 pm    
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I'm sorta hoping it will stay in France.

Seriously, musical instruments this old are collectors items. They look very nice hanging on the wall.
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Brian Davis

 

From:
San Francisco, USA
Post  Posted 14 Jun 2004 7:18 am    
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All due respect to b0b, but this banjo is as close as you can get to the holy grail of banjos, the pre-war gibson 5-string mastertone. There are luthiers who make a living off reproducing 5-string necks for tenor conversions of this period as I believe there were less than fifty 5-stringers produced by Gibson in this era. I am certain this twanger would make the right person quite happy.

David, whatever happened to your 5-stringer?

[This message was edited by Brian Davis on 14 June 2004 at 08:19 AM.]

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CrowBear Schmitt


From:
Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
Post  Posted 14 Jun 2004 1:03 pm    
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His wife offered it to the banjo player she ran off with
since then he's got a Bud D10 that's harder to run away with

[This message was edited by CrowBear Schmitt on 14 June 2004 at 02:03 PM.]

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Dave Ristrim


From:
Whites Creek, TN
Post  Posted 14 Jun 2004 3:54 pm    
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David, what kind of pot and tone ring does the banjo have? I play bluegrass and would love an old flathead tonering Gibson. Let me know, maybe I can give it a good home in Tennessee.
Dave
p.s. Europe trip postponed for now.
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John Davis


From:
Cambridge, U.K.
Post  Posted 15 Jun 2004 2:54 am    
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David, Please don`t send it to the UK,We`ve got too many Banjo`s here allready!
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David L. Donald


From:
Koh Samui Island, Thailand
Post  Posted 16 Jun 2004 2:12 pm    
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Just to be clear this is a FOUR string tenor banjo.

But as noted above it could have a retrofit 5 string neck, and not lose value,
since you can just switch off the neck again.

In NYC I played with a 1927-28-29 Mastertone 5 string night ly for awhile.
My buddy had 3 from the period and put his favorite parts together on one.

So I used to flail on that from time to time at gigs.

So I know what this should sound and play like after 3 1/2 years gigging with this other one.

The '23 over here has a wood tone ring inside the head area
and has a semi rounded bowl back.
I didn't get to really inspect it at the time,
in anticipation of this thread,
because I didn't think about posting this till I got home.

But as far as condition it is all original as far as I can tell,
clean, no apparent wear that stands out, and played quite well.
I was happy with the sound, both clarity and fullness.
I wanted to record something with it before it goes.

Most of his instruments are strung lefty,
but this one was righty, so I did play it a bit. Amoungst a tour of about 20 instruments.
He does mostly irish music, and a bit of country. A serious picker too. Stephane would go over equally well in Connaught or Nashville,

Having played bluegrass with serious, fanatical instrument collectors/private dealers, in NYC, I can say I don't find the price outrageous for the condition and the year.

He wants a steel, and someone wants a killer classic banjo, I figured to just speed the plow a bit.

++++++++++
I think we need to take pictures and drop them from planes over Newvury England, just to make John squirm a bit LOL.

[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 16 June 2004 at 03:17 PM.]

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David L. Donald


From:
Koh Samui Island, Thailand
Post  Posted 23 Jun 2004 12:08 pm    
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Dave, the banjo will come to visit me for a photo shoot, and general iris/country jam on monday or tuesday.
I'll post the pictures then.
DD
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David L. Donald


From:
Koh Samui Island, Thailand
Post  Posted 30 Jun 2004 12:41 pm    
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Ok here is a link to a web page with some pics.

I have bigger ones, but the programing isn't like I want it,
and I have no time to change all the names and up load.

So don't click on the images to make them bigger.
I can send you a larger by e-mail on request.

I will be in the USA next week near Boston, but I am not sure about bringing it with me etc.


http://homepage.mac.com/animatic/BANJOPICS.html

[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 30 June 2004 at 01:44 PM.]

[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 30 June 2004 at 01:45 PM.]

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Wayne Franco

 

From:
silverdale, WA. USA
Post  Posted 30 Jun 2004 5:05 pm    
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That doesn't look like a flat top to me. Its and arch top. Ralph Stanley made those
famous. Bit of a snappier sound in general. I like em though. A good banjo has a nice lively 4th string in my opinion.
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David L. Donald


From:
Koh Samui Island, Thailand
Post  Posted 2 Jul 2004 2:40 am    
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bump for the pics
Though I am not the seller, he has agree to the forum donation if sold to a forumite.

[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 02 July 2004 at 03:43 AM.]

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David L. Donald


From:
Koh Samui Island, Thailand
Post  Posted 6 Jul 2004 1:15 pm    
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Dave R, have you seen the pics yet?
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Dave Ristrim


From:
Whites Creek, TN
Post  Posted 6 Jul 2004 1:48 pm    
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Thanks David, yes I have seen the pics and am still trying to decide on this one. I love banjos and will let you know soon.
Dave Ristrim
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Desmond Johnson

 

From:
Goose Creek, SC 29445
Post  Posted 6 Jul 2004 2:13 pm    
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The most important picture of all was left out. That would be the inside and would include the serial number that should be clearly visible. Do you have that?

Desmond Johnson
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David L. Donald


From:
Koh Samui Island, Thailand
Post  Posted 6 Jul 2004 6:25 pm    
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HI Dave, just checking.
If you want it, it's yours, if not there is a fellow in england who has shown a bit of interest.
But I can't contact him from Boston right now. But this isn't preasure or rushing you either.

Take your time.
It isn't your everyday purchase for sure.
So due consideration is correct.
I would want you to be happy you did it with no qualms dowqn the line.

I had one charachter try the old send too much money and get a refund bank draft time to clear scam offer... but I ain't that mucho a dumb country boy...

++++++++++++++
Desmond, I definitely asked Stephane several times to take the bowl off for two inside shots, and he never quite grasped the concept. He's from Bretaigne and has difficulty with my accent... duh.

I REALLY did try to get that shot, I will get back next week and go out and shoot that one for sure.

I can't do that till I get back, but I will.

[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 06 July 2004 at 07:29 PM.]

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