1930 Gibson TB-2
Gibson's 1929-30 TB-2 was marketed as Gibson's highest-priced non-Mastertone model in 1930. It featured a bound walnut resonator, one-piece flange, bound pearloid fingerboard, pearloid headstock overlay, and Grover pancake tuners on a mahogany neck. This example is entirely original but for a replaced tailpiece, and is in fine working order as a tenor banjo, with a good neck angle and frets, and excellent playability.
For 5 string players checking out this instrument for conversion purposes, the rim measures .600” wide and is in excellent condition both in structure and in roundness. The original one-piece flange is also in better than average condition and shows no cracks or rotting. It shows some up-pull from the brackets, but well within the range of acceptability. All brackets and nuts are original to the banjo, and the tension hoop is without issue. The armrest is perfect, the original calfskin head is also in great shape, and the tuners work well. The resonator is without issues and features walnut of medium figure. Resonator FON and rim FON match. In short, it's a good candidate for the job.
Made in USA sticker and a sticker from the store where the instrument was purchased new in 1930 can be see on the inside surface of the resonator. This instrument was brought to Folkway by the family of its original local owner. In the case pocket you'll find some vintage Bell Brand strings, picks, and the original bracket wrench.
With original hardshell case
For 5 string players checking out this instrument for conversion purposes, the rim measures .600” wide and is in excellent condition both in structure and in roundness. The original one-piece flange is also in better than average condition and shows no cracks or rotting. It shows some up-pull from the brackets, but well within the range of acceptability. All brackets and nuts are original to the banjo, and the tension hoop is without issue. The armrest is perfect, the original calfskin head is also in great shape, and the tuners work well. The resonator is without issues and features walnut of medium figure. Resonator FON and rim FON match. In short, it's a good candidate for the job.
Made in USA sticker and a sticker from the store where the instrument was purchased new in 1930 can be see on the inside surface of the resonator. This instrument was brought to Folkway by the family of its original local owner. In the case pocket you'll find some vintage Bell Brand strings, picks, and the original bracket wrench.
With original hardshell case