This fine example of a 1967 Gibson Mastertone TB-250 Tenor Banjo is in great condition, with no significant wear — especially given its age.
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Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs were two of the most recognisable names in the bluegrass pantheon, and were arguably responsible for its rise to mainstream popularity. Gibson banjos are legendary but now are very hard to find;
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Here’s a wonderful 1933 Gibson ‘Century’ TB-2 Tenor Banjo.
The term ‘Century’ refers to the peghead and fingerboard overlay – these were installed to honor the 1933 ‘Century of Progress’ Exhibition held in Chicago.
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During the 1970s and 80s there were a number of master Luthiers building replicas of Gibson banjos. Real Gibsons were in short supply and many felt the quality was not up to standards so many of these makers made a living building these lovely handmade copies at knock down prices compared to a new Gibson Mastertone.
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There has been some discussion on the hardware used on this banjo. The RB-250 did not come factory in gold but that said, in 1962 Gibson would fill virtually any custom request. The hardware shows none of the pitting typical of re-plated hardware. Also the cost to upgrade after the banjo was built would have been huge so we are going on the theory that this was a custom order. Tailpiece: I found several of these gold-plated tailpieces in the boxes of 1960s Gibson hardware I acquired when Gibson Canada shut down in 1979. So I am assuming they were stock Gibson issue for at least a few of their gold plated banjos, though I’ve never seen any. I gather they were made by Elton but am happy for input from anybody out there who knows more.
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