• Dating Gibson Banjo 'made In Usa' 2020
• Gibson Rb250 Banjo Identification
• Gibson Banjo Serial Numbers Database
• Gibson Banjo Serial Numbers Lookup

Knowing if your Gibson banjo is a prewar or postwar model will help you understand the serial number. There are many styles of Gibson banjos, and there is a lot of variation within those styles. Gibson Serial Numbers - 1977 to Present. Dating a Gibson Electric or Acoustic Guitar. The following information applies to Gibson USA Guitars From 1977.

Serial number is 174040 with 'made in USA' engraved, with a double circle on the resonator (as 250 bowties). Probably from 1970/71 but I'm not sure because Gibson S/N are confusing. I heard Gibson made 1/2 inch rims in the 70's but this one does have a 3/4 inch rim (not painted in black). If it has 'Made in USA' stamped underneath the serial number, it was made in 1970 or later. If not, it was made prior to 1970, but not any earlier than 1968. The shape of the headstock was changed in 1968 from the 'flyswatter' style (seen on most of the 'bowtie' models) to the 'fiddle style', which Gibson used throughout the 70's and '80's. Make/Model: The Gibson 4-String Banjo Year: 1927-1929 Serial Number: 9293-8 Location of Manufacture: Kalamazoo, MI USA Scale Length: 26.25' Nut Width: 1 5/64 ' Weight: 7.2lbs Head: 11' Goat Skin (not original) Bridge: Grover Maple/RosewoodFingerboard Wood: Rosewood Case: Does not includ.

The Gibson Guitar Corporation manufactures both acoustic and electrical instruments, including banjos. Gibson has made many different styles of banjos, and bluegrass musicians prize Gibson’s Mastertone banjos for their rich sound. Gibson banjos carry decals, serial numbers and other physical features that can help you learn more about your banjo.

Examine the Gibson logo on the peghead, the part of the banjo where the tuning pegs attach. In 1946, Gibson changed the logo on all their instruments from script lettering to block letters. Any instrument with script lettering was made before 1946 and is called a 'prewar' model, while block letters indicate a 'postwar' model.

Look for a Gibson decal on the inside of the wooden rim that forms the body of the banjo. If your banjo is a Gibson Mastertone, 'Gibson Mastertone' is written at the top of the decal. If it isn't a Mastertone, the oval decal will be smaller and will have 'The Gibson' written in script, with 'Gibson Inc. Kalamazoo Mich.' in block letters beneath it.

Look for the serial number on the back of the peghead. A serial number is an important piece of information in establishing the authenticity of your banjo.

Remove the back of your banjo--the resonator--to see the serial number if it isn't on the back of the peghead. Loosen the screws attaching the back to the banjo. The screws are large enough that you can do this with your fingers, and a screwdriver won't be necessary. You may see the serial number stamped into the wooden rim of the banjo's body or written inside the resonator in chalk.

Check that the configuration of the serial number is right for the time period. Go to the official Gibson website or check a list of Gibson serial numbers (see Resources). These lists will tell you what year your banjo was manufactured and what style it is.

Tip

The numbering system used by Gibson to choose their serial numbers was counterintuitive during their prewar period. Knowing if your Gibson banjo is a prewar or postwar model will help you understand the serial number. There are many styles of Gibson banjos, and there is a lot of variation within those styles. Even if your banjo doesn't match the description of a Gibson exactly, it may still be one.

Warnings:

• The prewar Gibson Mastertone banjo is the rarest and most valuable model of Gibson banjo, so it is the most likely to be faked.

References

Writer Bio

Sachiko Schott has been writing since 2001, and has been published in 'Twilight Song,' 'Liaisons' and 'Young Voices Magazine.' She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in zoology from the University of Guelph.

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Like most companies, Gibson has ever so slightly changed their logo over the last 100+ year. Here’s a look at the different logos Gibson used during each major era of manufacturing.

Pre-1902

Specimens built before 1902 had a star inlay or crescent in place of a logo.

1902 to Late 1920s

The original, “The Gibson”. The first logo to adorn Gibson guitars was inlaid in pearl at a slant, with an almost hand-written cursive font. Similarly; did you know Facebook was once called The Facebook?

You might hear it described in some publications or by dealers as the slanted script logo. Some earlier specimens from 1903 to 1907 did not slant the logo, or went without a logo entirely.

Dating Gibson Banjo 'made In Usa' 2020

Late 1920s to 1933

During this period the script logo continued without the slant. Some flattop guitars of this era started to omit the word “The” from the logo, reading simply “Gibson”.

1933 - 1947

By 1933 Gibson had dropped the “The” from all of their logos. The original thin script was replaced with a thicker font on higher-end models in the mid-’30s, and across the entire lineup by the end of the decade.

From 1943 to 1947, the logo was a thick golden script, known as the banner logo. Some models (LG-2, J-45, SJ, select L-50s) included an actual banner reading “Only a Gibson Is Good Enough” in the middle of the headstock. Bold move, Gibson.

Gibson Rb250 Banjo Identification

1947 to Present

The block logo debuted after WWII and remains the face of the company to this day. There were some minor changes to which letters were connected in the font between 1961 to 1981, but the main logo had the same look as we know and love today.

Gibson Banjo Serial Numbers Database

1968 to 1981

Gibson stopped dotting the “i” in their logo on some of their instruments during this period. Most models get a dotted i again in 1972, with the rest following suit from 1981 onward.

Gibson Banjo Serial Numbers Lookup

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