1929 six string Mastertone banjo

[Pedal Steel Mike]

A friend of mine has one. It's 100% original. He doesn't know whether to keep it and play it or sell it. What's it worth?

[sunburst]

Depends.
If it has anything but an 11" rim, not a huge amount of money.
If it has a raised head type tone ring, several thousand dollars.
If it has an 11" flathead mastertone tone ring, more thousands than he can probably imagine.

[Bob A]

John Bernunzio at bernunzio.com is the most knowledgeable banjo guy I know, and could give you an appraisal.

[Rroyd]

John is right on with his comments about value. #A 1929 Mastertone should be an archtop with a tube and plate flange, and should have an 11 inch rim. #According to some catalog reprints from that era, they only came with that size rim, and had two models available; one was just like a TB3 (tenor model) with the guitar neck, and the other was a TB1 equivalent. #Only the 3 would be a Mastertone. #Check Gruhn, Elderly, Intermountain Guitar and Banjo, and Mandolin Bros. web sites for #prices for late twenties PB3 or TB3 banjo prices, which should put you in the ballpark.

[PCypert]

To some could be worth thousands. To me I'd trade it for a packet of gum just to see it gone.

Maybe that's not harsh enough...
Paul

[Links]

Rroyd:

A six string would be a GB-3 (for guitar banjo). It would probably be worth a little more than a tb (tenor) or pb (plectrum), but not too much, as most banjo players want them to convert to a five-string.

My guess, it would be worth around 3K. Maybe more for a collector that just wanted a GB-3. I can't imagine it would be worth a lot more unless I am just missing something, which is quite possible. They are pretty rare, but do pop up from time to time.

[sunburst]

To me I'd trade it for a packet of gum just to see it gone.

Maybe that's not harsh enough...
Paul
I don't chew gum, but I'm going out to buy some just in case. If you come across any pre-war mastertones, Paul, call me first!

[PCypert]

Who knows how much money I've passed up through the days. Have found many old Banjolins and Banjos whilst hunting for old mandolins at flee markets, etc. I know it's a cliche joke, but I really hate the banjo. Maybe a nice strumming, quiet one like the Be Good Tanyas use, but my heart dies everytime I hear a barm, barm, barm, a;lsdkf;lsjdf (build up and resulting mess that comes out of a banjo player trying to cram in all the notes he can on a crawl pattern or whatever they call em). Might start giving up second looks now that I know I could get a good mandolin by selling one. Sucker born every minute. Kind of seems dirty though...like selling evil monkey's paws or buddha statues or something.
Paul

[Bob DeVellis]

The value is all in the pot. A good 40-hole archtop pot is worth plenty; a good flatehead pot, even more. The pot and guitar neck are very likely to part ways somewhere along the line. Although I have no affinity for a guitar banjo, I kind of hate to see them (and other styles) get cannibalized for 5-strings. One good thing, though, is that if the neck isn't tossed,the conversion should be easily reversable.

[sunburst]

Yep, a correctly done conversion is easilly and quickly reversible with no permanent modification done to any original parts.
Keeping the original neck and all original parts with the banjo retains so much value, that there are financial reasons as well as ethical reasons for keeping them all together. The days of tenor, plectrum, etc. necks getting separated from their original pots are pretty much over.

[Rroyd]

Here is the description from a late 20's brochure reprint:
Guitar Banjos
(not illustrated)
A regular six string guitar neck fitted to a Gibson
banjo rim--same size and construction as Tenor Banjos.
GB1 (See TB1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $60.00
GB3 (See TB3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125.00
CASES: No. 521 Faultless $13.50; No. 522 Faultless $22.50

A 1934 reprint has a picture of a GB3 with dot position markers, rather than banjo style inlays,
so the (See TB3) description must have applied to to the rim assembly, resonator, and types of woods only. I've seen a couple of GB1 models over the years, but never a GB3. I'd be interested in any further descriptions you could pass on. Here's a few questions: Does the resonator have purfling rings? How wide is the heel where it fits into the notch in the resonator? How wide is the notch in the tension hoop where the strings pass and the neck is attached? Just curious as to whether there were any major modifications to accommodate the six string neck. Thanks