Gibson Banjo Mandolin Trapdoor MB-1

[pugetsoundsailer]

I've got this beautiful Gibson Banjo Mandolin Trapdoor MB-1, not sure of the age, originality or value. Hoping one of you more knowledgeable gents could help an old 6 stringer out. :grin:

Ser. # 11870-6

[pops1]

If I remember the trapdoor banjo's were mostly from the 20's, I have one that was a tenor that now has a 5 string neck on.

[allenhopkins]

From what I can tell from this Simonoff article (http://siminoff.net/gibson-banjo-chronology/), the "Tone Projector" or "trapdoor resonator" was made from 1922 to 1925, when Gibson went to a full resonator. I think your hyphenated "serial number" is a factory order number, with the first five digits being a batch number, and the "6" suffix indicating the sixth instrument in batch #11870. I may be wrong here, and assume a more knowledgeable Cafe-er will correct me if so.

As to value, the "trapdoor" model full-size banjos -- mostly tenors and plectrums, a few five-strings -- aren't valued as highly as other 1920's Gibson banjos. Many have smaller "pot" sizes and the "trapdoor" system doesn't provide the same projection as the full resonator of the later Mastertone and other models.

Yours looks like this "trapdoor" MB-Jr (http://mandoweb.com/Instruments/Gibson-MB-Jr-Mandolin-Banjo-1924/2179), which Mandolin Brothers listed for $875 -- an asking price that, IMHO, was wildly optimistic. The unlabeled headstock, simple dot inlays etc. lead me to believe this was Gibson's lowest-priced mandolin banjo of the period. Again, I may be wrong.

This MB-Jr, (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gibson-Junior-Mandolin-Banjo-Antique-Vintage-with-Case-MB-Jr-/401005292975?nma=true&si=0fa1cc6Z3QRA47aVGFCJSkEQSJc%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557) not as nice as yours and with a pretty beat-up case, sold on eBay for $230. I'd say that $400 might be a fair value for yours, but that's a SWAG (Scientific Wild-As*ed Guess). Nice instrument, but not a really valuable one -- again IMHO.

Later (but not much): shoulda noted that you've already established that this is an MB-1, not an MB-Jr; the MB-1 was the next step up. What threw me off was that some MB-1's I've seen do have "The Gibson" on the headstock. I wouldn't revise my price estimate upward; $400 plus/minus is my guess, and I'm stickin' to it...

[Scott C.]

That is very close to mine. I am sure that it is a 1923 MB0. It has the wrong tail piece cover, bridge, head and it is missing the pick guard. It had a skin head originally. The value seems to be at most $600 if it was all original. Some are out there for sale at higher prices, but have not sold. I have picture of mine in my profile.