❌ SOLD ❌ Second Life MasterClone Banjo 2014

Banjo-maker Carl Arcand routinely restores older banjos to give them a ‘second life’ from his Eastern Townships shop in Ulverton, Quebec. This fine example Second Life MasterClone Banjo is still archived on his site.

This instrument is assumed to be based on a 60s or 70s Gibson TB-250 ‘donor-banjo’ pot with flathead bronze tone ring and fitted to an Arcand handmade replica neck. The resurrection work was completed and the banjo first sold in 2014.

This Second Life MasterClone Banjo is certainly equal or superior to any 70’s original Gibson. It is what we would call a RB-250 Mastertone “clone” banjo or “Master-Clone” banjo.

Fully setup, head tension at G#, action at 5/64 and capo spikes are installed at 7,9,10th frets. The frets were lightly dressed and this banjo is ready to go this banjo plays and sounds great. This banjo offers an affordable way to get a superb Gibson sound and look without breaking the bank.

Neck:

The neck is Mahogany with rosewood fretboard bearing a classic Flying Eagle inlay pattern. It is fitted with two Schaller planetary tuners, two Schaller Planetary D-Tuner Scruggs tuners, a Schaller 5th string tuner and bone nut. The back of neck finis is a Gun-oil rub.

The Pot is possibly 100% Gibson, sourced from a TB-250 but impossible to authenticate. It has a Nickle plated bronze 20-hole, flathead tone ring and Gibson style one-piece flange. The rim is three-ply maple with Gibson label, refinished and fitted with the Second Life plaque. The head is by Remo and supports a Scorpion bridge and Presto tailpiece with the cover removed. The resonator is mahogany with tapered sides, refinished to match the rim.

The Carl Arcand serial number 1205-4 is stamped into the rim in the Gibson style. It is impossible to know the full provenance at this point in the banjo’s history.

A 1970s era hardshell case in good condition is included.