Help ID Gibson Mandobanjo

[Bob Clark]

I'm trying to find information on this interesting Gibson Mandobanjo (Banjolin, Banjo Mandolin, etc) a friend inherited. I have checked it out and restrung it. It is in remarkable shape and it is all there (pickguard, tailpiece cover, trap door, even the case).

From my reading here on the Cafe, I think it probably dates to the early 20's but some of you may know better. There is no SN or FON anywhere. I really looked. It's not there.

It has a trap door and that is in great shape. Pot is 9" which I think should indicate an MB 0, but it has details like the inlays on the back and the inlaid Gibson on the headstock that could indicate a higher model. It has the moccasin headstock. The neck is unbound. It sounds like, well, what one would expect of a mandobanjo.

So, what do we need to know? Anything you can tell us. I'm guessing MB 0 from the early 1920's. How far off am I? She'd also like to know market value. I'm guessing around $650. Again, how far off am I? Have a look at the pictures below.

Thanks and best wishes, Bob
150492150493
150494150495
150496

[MikeEdgerton]

The tuners put it in the Loar era :)

If the pot was bigger you'd have some real money that you could get out of the pieces. I'll look at my books this evening to see if I can get some real information on it.

[MikeEdgerton]

I think it's an MB-1. Introduced 1922, not offered in 1924, reintroduced in 1925. Take a look at the tuners. By 1924 it appears they were using worm over tuners on A style mandolins. I think it would probably be 1922-23. Let's see if anyone can pop up a catalog page.

[Bob Clark]

Thanks very much for the information, Mike. I really appreciate it and am sure my friend will, too.

Any idea on the value? Does my estimate of $650 or so sound in the ballpark?

Bob

[MikeEdgerton]

I really don't have a clue, these are all over the place because of the conversions.

[allenhopkins]

Here's a very similar-looking MB-1 at Retrofret, (https://www.gbase.com/gear/gibson-model-mb-1-1925-shaded-maplehttps://www.gbase.com/gear/gibson-model-mb-1-1925-shaded-maple) but without the pickguard. It has the "The Gibson" inlaid logo. They date it to 1925; it has the "worm over" tuners.

Elderly's selling this 1927 MB-1 (http://www.elderly.com/gibson-mb-1-banjo-mandolin-c-1927.htm) for $985, but it has the full resonator rather than the "trap-door" type yours has.