This Stelling Golden Cross Open Back banjo was originally a resonator model but was converted to open-back by Geoff Stelling. As with other Golden Cross banjos, the neck and rim are Maple, with Ebony for the fingerboard; inlays and the truss rod cover are Mother of Pearl. This is a very attractive instrument!
Conversion
The Gibson L5 was the premiere cutaway archtop for jazz guitarists – in fact it was originally named the Premiere – from its 1939 introduction. Close on its heels, though, the 1949 ES-5 offered three P-90 pickups but was built with laminates instead of solid woods for the body, all to reduce feedback. Here we’re looking at a Gibson L5 built during 1948, and some time later converted to an ES-5 configuration, with three P-90 pickups, but wired as other Gibson models – four controls and a switch – and not the six controls of the ES-5.
This instrument has sold
MORE →Banjo-maker Carl Arcand routinely restores older banjos to give them a ‘second life’ from his Eastern Townships shop in Ulverton, Quebec. This fine example Second Life MasterClone Banjo is still archived on his site. This instrument is assumed to be based on a 60s or 70s Gibson TB-250 ‘donor-banjo’ pot with flathead bronze tone ring and fitted to an Arcand handmade replica neck. The resurrection work was completed and the banjo first sold in 2014. This Second Life MasterClone Banjo is certainly equal or superior to any 70’s original Gibson. It is what we would call a RB-250 Mastertone “clone” banjo or “Master-Clone” banjo.
This instrument has sold
MORE →The Gibson ES-345 TD is the mid level in the thinline ES series, but sometimes it has been hard to find a left handed version. Consequently, players take various approaches to accomodate the orientation, from simply adapting technique to flipping the guitar over. Here, the controls were moved to the other side of the top and the bridge shifted to intonate properly.
This instrument has sold
MORE →Here is a rare treat – from 1937, a Gibson TB-7 tenor banjo and case in good all original condition, having one owner from new.
This instrument has sold
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