Hi all,
I bought an old Gibson mandolin-banjo the other day. I think it's the MB-JR model, seeing as the hoop diameter is only 9", but it has no model designation anywhere on it. I paid $500, which seems to be the going rate (from what little previous sales information I could find on eBay, craigslist, and auction-house sites) for similar instruments in the low-end range of the Gibson MB line. It was in nearly immaculate condition, so I'm not too bummed about not getting a better deal.
In any event, I'm trying to pin down exactly what model / year / etc the instrument is. Like I said, there is no model number on the gold oval label inside the hoop; all that says is "The Gibson Mandolin, Banjo, and Guitar Company of Kalamazoo Michigan" or something to that effect. There is a serial number: 8023-15, but I can't seem to track that down anywhere online either, although some sources identify 8XXX serial numbers in general for Gibson banjos as being of 1925 build.
Other features:
9" hoop, smaller than what is quoted for the numbered MB-# models I've seen around.
"Snakehead" style head, with very little decoration, but coming to a nice point.
No binding, no inlays (except dots), no flange, and an open back for the head.
Whatever else you see in the [small, from the craigslist listing] attached pics.
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