When we started taking mando lessons (on the mandocello, actually), our teacher used a tenor banjo to demonstrate so we could be in the same register. Being a staple of Irish music, we decided to take a flyer on this Gibson TB-JR.
Sadly, when it arrived the neck had split laterally, so we got a full refund and didn’t have to send it back. So after a bit we sent it out Maestro Morrill to see what he could do with it. The break was very clean so that was not an issue. But in triaging the instrument, we learned that while it seems like a Gibson neck, it was most certainly not original to the instrument, and by trying to attach it, the seller (or whomever) actually put stress on the neck, contributing to its fracture. Additionally, all the parts for the tailpiece were not present, and one of the tension dowels was missing.
But, Steve is a magician and managed to get the banjo back together by shaving a bit off the neck so it fit properly and crafting a mount for the tailpiece, that while it won’t win any beauty contests, functions well enough.
Maple pot and seemingly maple neck. Plays and sounds as you’d expect. Comes with its OHSC but the hinges are missing. Case stays shut when secured, but not something you want to travel around with.
SN: 11187A-13
