This is a restored Gibson-made Oriole tenor banjo bearing FON 8003-44 inside the rim, placing it from early 1925. This is from the second of two known batches of Orioles that represent Gibson's first foray into non-Gibson branded banjos. The first batch (8002) is represented by an identical banjo owned by another BHO member. When I found the one in this listing, the neck had been stripped, stained brown, and clear coated, with no logo; I didn't know what it was. Why I finally decided to identify it as an Oriole is discussed in the BHO Swap Shop Forum: http://www.banjohangout.org/topic/230712.
This Oriole has an 18 fret tenor neck with the snakehead peghead which is more commonly found on trapdoor Gibsons produced in the early 1920s. The tuners correct as found on early 20s Gibson RBs, not the two-on-a- plate as found on the TBs. The neck has a very slight bow, string height is approx. 1/8" at the 12th fret. The original frets are in good condition. The rim is a 10 and 1/2" dia. x 1/2" thick rim typical of the bracket shoe rims of the trapdoor era. It has a quarter inch brass tone hoop that sits atop the rim, under the vintage skin head.
The lag bolts, co-rod, tension hoop (some brassing; marked inside: Waverly D18), hooks (except 1), shoes, 4 bracket nuts, bracket screws and bridge appear to be original; most of the washers and bracket nuts are replacements. REVISION: I've replaced the tailpiece shown in the first photo with an original (but marred) MB tailpiece similar to those found on these early Orioles; its shown on the last photo. Both the neck and outer rim were over-coated to resemble the original black finish.
It frets well and notes fine, but may need some tweeking of the set-up (I'm not a tenor player). It’s a pretty cool vintage piece, with some historical significance. It would be good for Celtic music, or could be converted to a 5-string. Comes with a beat-up vintage hard case (not sure if original). Reduced to $399. plus shipping and ins.
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