It was so genius, we had to crib this description from Retrofret.
“This raucous little twanger is an [1924] Gibson Mastertone-era MB-Junior mandolin banjo, one of the least expensive instruments Gibson offered. This is from the transitional period between the earlier “trapdoor” banjos and the later “Mastertone” models, though this very simple creation has few of the feature of either! Indeed this ebony-finished Junior is about as simple as Gibson got, but really with a mandolin banjo it does not seem to make a lot of difference, they sound about the same at either end of the scale.”
This is the second one of these little nuggets to come through the home. There is something about them that we just love.
Again from Retrofret. “The MB-Junior is very plain in appearance but still has some “Gibson” specific features. It is finished in black overall, with no logo but a special “Gibson Junior” label inside the rim. There is no tone ring, the head rests directly on the wooden rim. It does sport the patented single coordinator rod to adjust neck angle, a very handy feature unique to Gibson at the time and still working perfectly. The rim is plain with a traditional hook/nut/shoe construction without the bearing tube seen on most Gibsons. The fairly thin laminated maple rim is just over 9″ in diameter so this is a handy little player, less brash than some 8-strings due to the lower metal content in the rim!”.
This one has no issues, everything is original except the head and a the tailpiece cover cribbed from the TB-JR. It even comes with the original case, tuning wrench, and ….. wait for it…… MUTE (patent, Mar 28, 1915).
SN: 11096-38
$525
