Gibson MB-2 Model Mandolin Banjo (1927), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 8593-13, cherry lacquer re- finish, maple rim and neck, rosewood fingerboard, chipboard case.
This is a somewhat re-worked example of Gibson's MB-2 Mandolin-banjo, a midline instrument in the later 1920s, the 8-string equivalent of the TB-2 tenor banjo. The mandolin-centric Kalamazoo company promoted these fairly heartily, but the banjo-mandolin faded quickly as the Jazz age matured and became a low-production instrument at best, though not finally disappearing from Gibson's line until WWII.
The MB-2 is generally similar to the higher-end Mastertone MB-3 with some of the era's professional-grade features, but not the full Mastertone flange or tone ring. The diamond-cutout flange is set against individual shoes instead of Gibson's patented tube and the tone ring is a simple brass hoop. It does retain the laminated maple arched back resonator perfected in the 1920s and Gibson's single coordinator rod to adjust neck angle. The neck is the same as the MB-3 and thus fancier than one might expect; the headstock has a pearl "The Gibson" logo and notched diamond inlay, as does the bound fingerboard. It is equipped with nice Waverly openback strip tuners.
As Mandolin banjos were falling out of fashion by 1927, this flange-and resonator MB-2 is a fairly rare find. "No banjo band is complete without this brilliant soprano instrument" proffered Gibson. That may be so, but the banjo band was itself losing pep in 1920s, so demand for all specialty banjos was ebbing fast. This is a very solid instrument of its type, more elaborate than many and built to Gibson's excellent pre-war standards. This example has seen some work over nearly a century so someone was playing it along the way. These days it's primarily jug band and ragtime players who will give these 8-stying bangers a home; this one offers enough sonic power to cut through just about any mix!
Overall length is 25 in. (63.5 cm.), 10 1/2 in. (26.7 cm.) diameter head, and 3 1/4 in. (8.3 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 13 7/8 in. (352 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/8 in. (29 mm.).
This is a good player's example, functionally solid but with some old re-working. The wooden parts were refinished long ago in a light cherry stain (similar to what Gibson used in the earlier 1920s) with the inside of the rim not stripped but overfinished over the darker original shade. The original Gibson label is still there but partially obscured; the inside of the resonator is original retaining the original chalk serial number markings. Most hardware remains original; the plating shows some general wear but no signs of heavy use. The armrest has a spot down to the brass on the outer edge.
There was some odd work done long ago inside the rim. The single coordinator rod is mounted directly into the heel and there are several redundant small holes drilled inside the rim by the heel and tail. We don't know what someone was trying to achieve there but the instrument still functions as intended. The banjo is set up with a modern plastic head and older but not Gibson-style carved maple bridge. The fingerboard was refretted with a newer bone nut and rebound; these show some wear but still play fine. This is a very loud instrument, but not as shrill as some "manjos" can be. It resides in a later (1950s) chipboard case, battered but relatively functional. Overall Very Good Condition.
