Brand: Gibson
Instrument Categories: Banjos, REDUCED, SOLD
The Gibson PB3 Plectrum Mastertone banjo was built from 1925 to 1927, then from 1929 to 1939, with tone ring types being the difference in the two periods. In the initial construction, a tube and plate with two-piece 40-hole flange was used, and after 1929 a flat head tone ring was used.
Built largely with Maple, the Gibson PB3 used solid Maple for the neck and pot, and Laminate Maple, stained Mahogany, for the Resonator. The fingerboard is Rosewood – and at the time, even though this was an ‘entry level’ instrument, that meant Brazilian Rosewood. The classic inlay set is executed in Mother of Pearl, with the engraved MASTERTONE block at the next to last fret. All the original hardware is present, including the Grover pancake tuners.
As a Plectrum banjo, the Gibson PB3 is very similar to the 5 string models, just without the extra 5th string and attendant hardware. The scale length is the same. Plectrum banjos began to appear in the mid-1920s and fit right into the explosive popularity of Jazz and Ragtime music, providing a percussive, staccato line.
This example dates to 1927 and was built at the Gibson facility in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It is in overall good, playable condition, with its share of honest play wear, including to the frets and fingerboard.
A non-original hard shell case is included.
- Model: PB3 Plectrum Banjo
- Year: 1927
- Finish Mahogany
- Class: Vintage
- Serial Number: 8826-18
- Country of Origin: USA
- Condition: Good
- Date Posted: 24/06/2019
- This instrument has been sold
- Consignment Item
- Required CITES documentation
- Including Hard case
- Instrument Weight: 11lbs 5kg
- Scale Length: 26.25in 666.7mm
- Nut Width: 1.18in 30mm
