The banjo conforms to all standard catalog specs for the model (style 2)..... with nickel plated metal parts.....and burl walnut woods......the Pre War flange is very flat....with little to no pull whatsoever....and all the wood finish is great as well....there is only minor normal handling wear on the back of the resonator with a few nicks and pecks...the plating on the flange is slightly tarnished like most banjos from this period....but the tension hoop, armrest, and Presto tailpiece are extremely clean.....
The banjo features a matching mahogany Frank Neat neck with Hearts & Flowers inlay pattern.... a Blaylock 20 Hole Flathead Tonering....all conversion work was completed by Mr. Neat to the highest standards.....also...just for your information Frank said the wood rim was "perfectly round" with no "egg-shelling" at all....which is always a great thing to find out....and may contribute to its wonderful unrestricted tone and power.....
Considering it’s age, The banjo overall is exceptionally clean and strong as a bull.... This banjo is as strong and solid as a brand new one.....and with proper care....should last another 75 years without any problem whatsoever.....
The Gibson Label is nice and clean and all numbers match in the rim and resonator....it is also what's considered a "Fat Rim Banjo" as it is over 5/8's of an inch in thickness as you can see in the photo....which are very desirable for their power and tone these days....mainly because J. D. Crowe's old style 3 that he recorded all the Jimmy Martin stuff with is a fat rim banjo....
As you know the pot construction on all the Pre War 1930's Sub Mastertones was virtually identical to the style 3's and 75's......the only thing they really lacked was the tonering itself......that's why the original 1930's Pre War Gibson Style 1 and 2 conversion's are the absolute best value in any Pre War Gibson banjo in my opinion..... they're becoming increasingly harder to locate in as good clean original condition such as this banjo.
Also the Style 2's are great to convert...because they featured a few extra's over the style 1's....such as a beautiful burl resonator veneer.....4 thumbscrews, Presto TP, and Grover pancake tuners....all standard from the factory.....so they literally featured nearly everything the Mastertone's had except the Tonering.....and that's another reason they represent such a great value today when fully converted....
Banjo comes with the original tenor neck and a documentation letter from renowned banjo expert Jim Mills.
Everything you are looking for in a Pre War banjo with flathead tone ring except the price !!!
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