Pre-war Gibson banjos for sale at Banjo Warehouse in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Geoff Hohwald hand-selects every pre-war Gibson in our inventory — including Mastertone tenor conversions, archtop and flathead models, and Recording King banjos built by Gibson at Kalamazoo. Every instrument ships with a professional setup by our banjo tech Tara, free shipping to the US, and a 7-day approval guarantee. Call Geoff at 404-218-8580.
1932 Gibson TB-3 Mastertone with original one-piece flange and raised-head tone ring. Converted to 5-string by Frank Neat with mahogany neck and flying eagle inlays. All original hardware and resonator. Professional setup. Free shipping. 7-day guarantee.
1930 Gibson TB-4 Mastertone archtop conversion with all original hardware. Serial #9554-45 places this squarely in Gibson's golden era of Mastertone production. Original rim, one-piece flange, original archtop tone ring, flying eagle inlays. Professional 5-string neck. Includes hardshell case.
Late 1930s Recording King Model #731 — made by Gibson at Kalamazoo for Montgomery Ward. This tenor conversion features a Huber HR-30 tone ring, original sunburst maple resonator, one-piece flange, and prewar Presto tailpiece. The replacement 5-string neck includes an adjustable truss rod and modern tuners. Prewar craftsmanship meets modern playability.
How much does a pre-war Gibson banjo cost?
Original 5-string pre-war Gibson Mastertones — particularly flathead models from the early-to-mid 1930s — routinely sell for $50,000 to $150,000 or more depending on model and condition. Professional tenor conversions offer the same pre-war pot, flange, and resonator at dramatically lower prices. At Banjo Warehouse, pre-war Gibson tenor conversions typically range from $3,999 to $11,499. The price depends on the specific model (TB-1, TB-3, TB-4, TB-11), the type and originality of the tone ring, the builder of the conversion neck, and the overall condition of the original hardware.
What is the difference between an archtop and a flathead tone ring?
Gibson used two primary tone ring designs in their pre-war Mastertone banjos. The archtop (also called raised-head) tone ring has a crowned profile that pushes the banjo head upward, producing a bright, punchy tone with strong projection. The flathead tone ring sits flat against the rim and produces a warmer, more sustained tone that became the signature sound of bluegrass through Earl Scruggs' playing. Both ring types appear in our pre-war collection — some banjos retain their original archtop rings, while others have been upgraded with modern flathead rings from builders like Huber or Tennessee.
What is a Recording King banjo?
Recording King was a brand name used by Montgomery Ward on instruments manufactured by Gibson at their Kalamazoo, Michigan factory during the 1930s and early 1940s. These banjos were built on the same production line, by the same craftsmen, using the same materials as Gibson-branded instruments — the primary difference was the headstock logo. Pre-war Recording King banjos represent an excellent value because they carry the same construction quality and tonal characteristics as their Gibson-branded counterparts at a lower price point.
Do you buy pre-war Gibson banjos?
Yes. Banjo Warehouse is always buying pre-war Gibson banjos — whether they are original 5-string models, tenor banjos, plectrum banjos, or existing conversions. If you have a pre-war Gibson you're looking to sell or trade, call Geoff directly at 404-218-8580 or use our Sell Your Banjo form. We offer fair prices and can arrange trades toward other instruments in our inventory.
"I recently purchased a 1926 TB3 flathead conversion from Geoff Hohwald and Banjo Warehouse. It was at a VERY reasonable price, and all I can say is that it is a beautiful banjo. The sound is incredible, just what I expected. I am totally MORE than satisfied. Geoff was very easy to work with, and I would not hesitate to buy another instrument from him."
Glynn Brown
June 2019