incredible-sounding 1926 Gibson Mastertone TB-5 banjo, number 8227-18, with a very accurate reproduction 5-string neck by Bo Dickey of Artifact Arts. The style 5 was Gibson's highest-priced model at that time, with
a walnut neck and resonator with two
concentric rings of multicolored wood purfling and ''iridescent ivoroid'' binding on the back of the resonator, the neck, and bottom of the rim. The hardware is in exceptionally fine condition and is beautifully ''triple gold-plated'' with engraving on the tension hoop, armrest, tone ring
skirt, flange, and Kirschner tailpiece. The armrest is engraved in an alternate variant of the style five pattern, which in my experience is a bit more rare, and more beautiful. The gold plating on this example is all original and is in unusually fine condition, with some minor wear in spots, most notably on some of the tension hooks (see photos), and very faint wear on the armrest (it is almost unnoticeable). The gold-plated tuners with solid mother-of pearl buttons are completely original but look brand new! They work OK
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