#Banjo S Series Of Changes

The OB250 Masterclone is a pretty good deal for the money, also available in gold plate. It has all the specs of a pre-Baldwin/ODE banjo but already with the Baldwin banner in the headstock.Gold Tone - Current, not associated in any way with Gold Star assembled in the USA using a large portion of Asian parts. In fact it doesnt even have a serial number. Banjo aficionado Ed Britt and I inspected the banjo thoroughly and we came to the conclusion that its definitely a transition model from the time when ODE was taken over by Baldwin in the late 1960s.

Banjo S Series Of Changes

GibsonвЂ™s banjo models featured a robust series of changes in the design and. &0183 &32 Banjo Serial Numbers Gibson. The company began under Swedish-born Julius Nelson, his brother Carl, and a group of associates that included John Pahn and John Swenson.2017. Vega Banjo Serial Number Dating The Vega Company was a musical instrument manufacturer that started operations in Boston, Massachusetts in 1881. Their entire line has become quite extensive, including mini instruments too. There is also a Bluegrass Special model with a Mastertone style tone ring and hook and shoe pot construction which is very nice.

It probably has the 3 ply rim, but I did not ask. This is a regular AT tone ring like the Sullivan and prewar Gibson one, not a conversion ring from postwar full height flathead to archtop like the Stewart Macdonald #802. OEM Part Numbers: 1824415C93, 1826794C93 Notes: Includes two banjo gaskets.Gold Tone showed a very nice OB250AT 40 hole archtop at the NAMM trade show in January 2002. The Gibson Guitar Corporation manufactures both acoustic and electrical instruments, including banjos.The T444E can be identified by the serial number stamped on the lower rear. Identifying a Gibson Banjo. Gibson Construction Evolution.

Quilted maple resonator, maple rim and neck, carved heel, bone nut, pearl type (plastic like Maestrotone?) inlays, Remo clear head, maple and ebony bridge. Nominally $1200 list + case.Gold Tone gets at least some of their parts (necks) from smaller Korean suppliers than Samick (who also probably sell to Samick), which they say allows more flexibility and choices for their customers.Probably a better profit too at less retail too, so everybody wins except Samick.Greg Bennett - Signature 5-string banjo - Current, Samick like. It sounded OK only 2 days old, and the parts had not had time to settle in.

They were available in one finish only, dark mahogany, with 2 piece flange and flat head tone ring. GTR stands for George Gruhn, Tut Taylor and Randy Wood, three dealers/ builders in the Nashville scene in the mid 70's. They were made for GTR by Iida.

No harmonica holder noticed.Hondo - Masterpiece HB250TT, seen with carving on the back of the headstock and the heel of the neck. I suppose if they are the house that imports them, they can quote anyHoner - Korean built, fiddle headstock, tone ring, resonator, shoes and brackets on the pot. The same vendor's website listed it at $488, with a list of$1019. Offered on eBay for $437, against a supposedList price of $1670.

590 - economy model, blond maple, diamond inlays, cheaper tuners, friction fifth peg. 589FB - flying eagle inlays, dark stained maple finish, dark resonator with flying eagle pearl inlays on the back Some of the models, circa 1978: These were Bluebell banjos for the home market, both made by Fujigen.

Full line then, from entry to typicalMastertone replica, model 235/ 240 were higher quality ones. This is a change from what I previously had here, but a Pedro Martinez has been reported with the words IIDA PATENT stamped in the aluminum pot just to nail the point home weird since I think Ode, Stewart Macdonald and someone in the 1920's whom I don't recall at the moment (Lange? Ludwig?) also did it first.) - Been around since the 70's. It is a man's name with one pronunciation, though sometimes read as Jida or Aida the script I looks like an A or J. 593 - vine inlay from 2nd to 15th fret, natural maple.1977 model with wild inlay sort of like the Argus has been seen onIida - pronounced EE-da. 592 - like 591, dark stained maple finish. 591FB - no details other than being left handed.

I have examined an (LH) mid 70's Model 235 IidaMasterclone and it is has an aluminum tone ring, multi ply pot, steel two piece flange, and a blackish/purplish finish with the light colored grain filler in the mahogany showing through, two concentric rings in the resonator, rough bare stain inside the resonator. Wholesaled by Kaman (at least).Model 235. They were one of the best acoustic instrument builders, esp in the high price range.Model 232 - Current, maple, die cast (zinc?) FH tone ring, 2 pc flange, HF. Iida) became enamored of the 5-string and supervised design and construction in their own factory. CurrentMasterclone banjos are very similar to Epiphone or Samick, but cost 50% more.Images of a 1976 Iida banjo catalog here.In the '70's catalog it says that Teduo (sp?) Iida (son of the senior Mr. There was also a lefty at one time.

I have since seen one with dark color grain filler.236 - Flathead, apparently brass/ bronze tone ring, 2 piece flange, chrome, inlay pattern is a 2 part stylizes winged/ chevron pointing up, inlays repeated and becoming larger going up the neck. Too bad it was not like the model 240 below, I would have purchased it. I drove 900 miles up to Idaho to see it,Lefties being fairly rare and I needed one.hunch had said not to bid and hunch was right on. I had no bid it on eBay even though it looked good after massaging the photos.

This is a guess as to model number.Model 240 - From the 1978 catalog, the model 240 (archtop)Was their top-of-the line archtop. The designBorrowed heavily from the RB-800 of the day, but with a Cremona finish thatAvoided the cherry red of the RB-800 (thank goodness).Model 238 - Likely was a chrome archtop, I have 3 original NOS chromed Iida arch top tone rings. Cast bell-brass tone ring, chrome, solid mapleResonators, 14-ply maple rim, rosewood fret boards, MOP inlays using Gibson'sRB-Granada Hearts and Flowers pattern, 2-way truss rod, three-piece maple neck, andChecker-board wood marquetry before the ivoroid grained binding. Over all a bit odd.Model 237 - From the 1976 catalog, the model 237Was a top-of-the line flatheads. The neck is mahogany, resonator sunburst flamed maple on both examples seen.

I believe I paid about $700 for it new from aMilwaukee music store in 1978 (as a young man with more money thanSense). Came with a 5-star clear head nicely built (still solid as aTank and holds adjustments well), but a little too-much high frequencyOvertone which I have learned to control with a heavier tailpiece andThicker compensated bridge. No other markings or numbers, other thanThe Iida inlay in the headstock and where 'Mastertone' would appear at theLast fret. The truss-rod coverSays 'Custom Built' in script. 6 or 7 ply laminated maple rim.

I'd never even heard of a Kasuga until I saw thisOne, and I was really amazed at the quality. I like to play it, because hammer-ons and pull-offs are so muchEasier and cleaner because of the frets, unlike my old banjer which willWork you to death. I'll bet a good tone ring could turn it into aKiller. It sounds OK - has a nice bottom end but overall isA little thin sounding. The neck feels just like theOriginal one on my old 3, but plays easier because the frets are lowerAnd slightly wider.

If this banjo is representative ofTheir overall quality, maybe Kasuga should be included in your top 20.'Model RB-600 (serial# 0247) is a Gibson RB-250 type banjo, purchased in Japan in 1978.