Up for sale is my mid-thirties (with no serial number, it's impossible to tell what year this was made) Gibson TB11 that I have converted to 5 string. It has a Yates Venom unplated and no-hole tonering (which sounds fantastic). I had First Quality cut the pot and fit the tonering. The rest of the conversion was done by my late friend, the incomparable Snuffy Smith. New Waverly tuners. New Snuffy Smith bridge and head. Vintage Vega Presto tailpiece. The one-piece flange, tension hoop, brackets,other hardware are all original to the banjo. The neck was made by Dave Nichols using inlays in the shape stenciled on the original Mother of Toilet Seat fingerboard of a TB11. The headstock overlay is also reminiscent of a TB11 - but more of a Nichols interpretation than an exact replica. The neck profile is pretty much a "C" profile,with just a little flatness to the back of the C. The rim of the resonator has been refinished to a pleasant chestnut brown and I have had the neck stained and refinished to match. The pot is still the original blue. This is a very stout banjo with a rich tone. $4,500 plus shipping, which includes a fiberglass Guardian case (the poor man's Calton). Please call me at 336-339-0536, if you would like to discuss. Email me for lots of detailed photos.
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