Gibson Style GB Guitar Banjo , c. 1921
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Item # 4089
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Gibson Style GB Model Guitar Banjo, c. 1921, made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, shaded cherry finish, laminated maple rim and neck, original black hard shell case.
One of Gibson's more unusual instruments, and a considerable rarity. The original "Style GB" banjo guitar is not only an extremely impressive find in its own right but is also remembered by aficionados as the instrument used extensively by pioneering African-American bluesman/songster "Papa" Charlie Jackson, the first self-accompanied solo performer to record in that idiom. Jackson's early Paramount records, highly influential in their time and still great listening today, are a showcase for the unique sound of this most interesting Gibson creation. This particular "Snakehead" banjo-guitar is a lovely and very early example of this instrument.
The "Style GB" was part of Gibson's initial banjo line, introduced in 1919 as follow ups to the initial "Style TB" tenor banjo which debuted in 1918. There were numerous variations in all these early Gibson banjos as the company experimented trying to create a banjo line sonically on par with their mandolins and guitars. This very early GB has the oldest neck attachment system: a wooden dowel with simple rotating tension adjustor.
This type was built around 1920-21, pre-dating both the "trap door" resonator and the ball-bearing Mastertone tone ring that would later appear on these instruments. This first style rim is a double-walled wooden honeycomb with hollow tone chambers, ebony capped and bound on both sides on the bottom.
This splendid example comes from the family of the original owner, and includes the original case and a very clever removable homemade closed back resonator plate fashioned by him. Also included are reproduced photos of the original owner playing this instrument in a banjo band during the 1920's. This GB has a very deep, resonant sound and is a fine player.
Overall length is 36 1/2 in. (92.7 cm.), 14 in. (35.6 cm.) diameter head, and 2 7/8 in. (7.3 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 25 in. (635 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.).
Nice original condition; recently set up with a skin head and silk-and-steel strings. All original hardware; even the original bridge (slightly notched in the middle). No repairs except one small piece of binding on the headstock replaced. Some play wear, mostly to the back of the neck, but overall a nice example with a great, plunky sound. Excellent Condition.
One of Gibson's more unusual instruments, and a considerable rarity. The original "Style GB" banjo guitar is not only an extremely impressive find in its own right but is also remembered by aficionados as the instrument used extensively by pioneering African-American bluesman/songster "Papa" Charlie Jackson, the first self-accompanied solo performer to record in that idiom. Jackson's early Paramount records, highly influential in their time and still great listening today, are a showcase for the unique sound of this most interesting Gibson creation. This particular "Snakehead" banjo-guitar is a lovely and very early example of this instrument.
The "Style GB" was part of Gibson's initial banjo line, introduced in 1919 as follow ups to the initial "Style TB" tenor banjo which debuted in 1918. There were numerous variations in all these early Gibson banjos as the company experimented trying to create a banjo line sonically on par with their mandolins and guitars. This very early GB has the oldest neck attachment system: a wooden dowel with simple rotating tension adjustor.
This type was built around 1920-21, pre-dating both the "trap door" resonator and the ball-bearing Mastertone tone ring that would later appear on these instruments. This first style rim is a double-walled wooden honeycomb with hollow tone chambers, ebony capped and bound on both sides on the bottom.
This splendid example comes from the family of the original owner, and includes the original case and a very clever removable homemade closed back resonator plate fashioned by him. Also included are reproduced photos of the original owner playing this instrument in a banjo band during the 1920's. This GB has a very deep, resonant sound and is a fine player.
Overall length is 36 1/2 in. (92.7 cm.), 14 in. (35.6 cm.) diameter head, and 2 7/8 in. (7.3 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 25 in. (635 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/4 in. (44 mm.).
Nice original condition; recently set up with a skin head and silk-and-steel strings. All original hardware; even the original bridge (slightly notched in the middle). No repairs except one small piece of binding on the headstock replaced. Some play wear, mostly to the back of the neck, but overall a nice example with a great, plunky sound. Excellent Condition.