This is a supreme example of a Gibson TB5 banjo. Serial number is 11984-23. There is a letter from Gibson with it that verifies the year of birth, but an appraisal from Gruhns dates it 1923-1924. "Other than the Grover Presto tailpiece, which is not typical of this model and is seen on banjos from 1925 onward, it is in fine condition and conforms to the typical specifications of the model for that period, in which it was made, with hinged "trap door" resonator, gold plated metal hardware, ebony fingerboard with attractive decorative inlays, "The Gibson" and modified fern peghead inlays, pearl tuner buttons, and Cremona brown sunburst varnish finish. The pickguard and hard shell case appear to be the correct original style. At the time this banjo was made the TB-5 was Gibson's most deluxe model tenor banjo. This is an instrument which would be of interest to collectors more so than to musicians wanting a utility tool, but it is of fine quality. Current market value:$2500.00" This appraisal was done in March of 2008.
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