tipehtfomottob Posted December 19, 2015 Share Posted December 19, 2015 I am cross-posting this from the regular instrument ID forum. Hello! I have a Gibson banjo that I have been playing on for the past 6 months or so, yet I know little to nothing about it. The previous owner was the late grandfather of a friend of mine. All I know about it is anecdotal. Apparently, it is in some way "custom" (don't know quite what it means). The only other thing I know is that he was offered 6 thousand dollars for it at one point, which he turned down. The serial number is 907-4, and there are no stickers inside. There appears to be two spots (one in resonator, one inside rim) where there used to be stickers, but now they're just faded. I took a lot of photos, so here is a link to the album: http://imgur.com/a/6oCBR Is there anything that you can tell me about it? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 Banjos are the worst ones to get a I.D on.. so many Luthiers out there putting Gibson Logos on custom made banjo necks. one of the most faked Instruments.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tipehtfomottob Posted December 21, 2015 Author Share Posted December 21, 2015 So I've learned. Either way, I love the instrument. The weight of it alone makes it feel solid to play, and it just sings! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 So I've learned. Either way, I love the instrument. The weight of it alone makes it feel solid to play, and it just sings! Still a Nice banjo and congrats... Hope you can find the positive info your wanting.. I know nothing about Banjos.. just what Ive seen and heard at a friends store in Montana and his wealth of knowledge given.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aliasphobias Posted December 21, 2015 Share Posted December 21, 2015 I am no help either. Just wanted to say welcome here and enjoy. I completely agree with slimt on fakes and trouble identifying them. It would be hard for me to turn down 6k for anything I have ever owned, cars included. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tipehtfomottob Posted December 22, 2015 Author Share Posted December 22, 2015 Knowing that it may never be IDed is fine for me, I just wandered if it could have been an easy answer. As it turns out, banjos aren't that kind of instrument! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slimt Posted December 23, 2015 Share Posted December 23, 2015 Im going on a limb here.. and guess a 150 model.. or what is called the Bowtie model.. The best person I know to ask.. is Greg Boyds house of fine instruments. .. talk to Greg.. he will know and help you.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arby Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 You might want to contact this guy: http://www.earnestbanjo.com/lookingforinformationoldgibsonbanjo.htm I came across this site while researching my own old Gibson banjo. I plan to contact him about it as soon as I take a few photos. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave F Posted March 21, 2016 Share Posted March 21, 2016 from the s/n 907-4 and referencing the site below, it looks like a 1949 model http://www.banjophiles.com/SerNumData/BowtieEraGibsons.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrairieSchooner Posted August 16, 2016 Share Posted August 16, 2016 I'm gonna guess that's not a Gibson, but I'm far from an expert. You could post it in the collectors forum on banjohangout.org; when it comes to banjos, if those guys don't know it, it can't be known! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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