Gibson banjo mandolins (MB's)

[OrJoe]

Hi.. I am interested in knowing if the mandolin banjo that im thinking about purchasing is as MB-2 or MB-3. My belief is that this is the difference between a mastertone(MB-3) or not. The serial number is 8228-13 which puts it in production about 1925 or 26. In seraching for this number if only been able to find 8228-24 and 8228-27, both MB-3's. Is the 8228 style number ie MB-3 and 13 piece numbers. thanks for any help Joe

[Darryl Wolfe]

You are going to have a hard time "buying" that item because of the tuners. Someone will pay more for the tuners than the instrument is worth (probably me)

[Alanede]

It is a common misconception that the MB-2 is a non-Mastertone MB-3. I quote from the 1926 Gibson catalog:
---"Has a 10 1/2 inch rim. Gibson Mandolin-banjos are made in three models---styles MB-0, MB-2 and MB-3. MB-0 and MB-2 correspond in construction and finish with the same models in the Tenor-banjos, style TB-0 and TB-2. The MB-3, illustrated on this page, corresponds in finish, equipment, etc. with Tenor-banjo style TB-3. However this instrument does not have the Mastertone rim construction. The rim construction is so built as to give maximum carrying power and tone."
The illustration in the catalog is identical to the one on eBay.
It is a non-Mastertone MB-3. An MB-2 would have different inlay.
Alan

Mandolin-banjo man

[Ken Waltham]

Or me....
Those are going on the Tenor Lute to mandola conversion project....
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif