Gibson Tenor Banjo

This banjo was made by Gibson Inc., of Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1923. It is a Four-String Tenor Banjo, Style TB-3, serial #11196A-42A, with a maple hoop, 22 brackets, maple neck with mahogany finish, ebony fingerboard with pearl inlay and 20 frets, tuning machine pegs. Stenciled on the peghead:

The
Gibson

As described in the 1923 Gibson Catalog N:

“A very popular model, incorporating the full-floating, non-friction tone-tube and other Mastertone features which give it the characteristic brilliant, powerful, snappy and far-carrying tone that is the joy of the dance orchestra Tenor-banjoist’s heart. Select ebony finger-board; other wood parts best quality maple, finished in beautiful, rich, dark mahogany with the neck blending from mahogany to clear natural maple finish. Japan pearl ornamentation, and position dots. Braced extension finger-board with twenty frets: 19-inch scale. Gibson special specification strings. All standard Gibson mastertone features, including ball-bearing tone-tube, tension-tube, etc. Completely equipped with Gibson arm-rest, finger-rest and tone-projector. Length, 29 inches; weight packed for shipping, 18 pounds.”

”One of the instruments which helps to maintain the Gibson reputation for offering the most in quality, durability and tone for the least cost."