Vintage Gibson Trapdoor RB-3 5-String Banjo 1920s

This is a 1924 Gibson Trapdoor 5-String RB-3 Banjo. The FON # on the inside is 11085A-25 which appears to be 1924. Overall nice condition for it's age and all original. Action is low and it plays real nice. There are a few minor fret grooves first 3 frets, but on the first fret 2nd string the groove is deep enough to have a little buzz. There are also a few slight finger grooves in the fretboard between the 1st and 2nd frets-not bad. The frets, tuners, nut, 5th string nut, pickguard and brackets are all original. The pickguard has a slight upward bend but looks good. The head is a fiberskin/mylar type unbranded. The tailpiece is original-works fine but the cover is broken. The cover and broken side piece are included see pics. There is some finish wear on the back of the neck. In the pics you can see a scratch on the bottom of the heel of the neck, it is NOT a crack. This rim has ball bearings and washers, no springs. I've found them both ways in this era but I don't think this had springs from the factory. The trap door springs work fine, the latch to hold the door open works good but it's hard to latch it shut. In the pics you can see the threads on the neck hanger bolt that connects to the coordinator rod are stripped, we installed a new hanger bolt and all is solid now. Not sure if the case is original as it's bigger than the pot but it looks period correct. Over all this is in pretty good shape for the age but it does have nicks, dings, scratches you'd expect on a 100 year old instument.

This banjo has a nice old timey sound with a little more "snap" due to the modern head. You could loosen the head and get a more plunky old time sound.

The strings will be loosened and the bridge laid down for shipping but we will mark the bridge location for intonation.

Shipping to continental 48 states only.

Will be well packed and insured.