Gibson TB-75 #1012-8

1937 was a year of great change in Gibson's banjo line.  Mastertone models 4, 6, Granada, Florentine, and All American were discontinued and replaced with the new top tension styles 7, 12, and 18.   Of the previous Mastertone models, only style 3 survived; its price was lowered from $100 to $75 and, in keeping with Gibson's new fashion for naming instruments after their prices, was renamed style 75.

This TB-75 is completely original with the exception of the tuners, which have been replaced with Schallers.   This banjo conforms to standard catalog specifications for style 75, with mahogany neck and resonator with two inlaid rings of white/black/white purfling, single white binding on the neck and resonator, a one-piece flange, Presto tailpiece, forty-hole archtop tone ring, nickel plating, and a double-cut peghead and Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with leaves and bows inlays.

This banjo was bought from the original owner and has been in a closet since the early sixties.

Photos courtesy of an anonymous collector.


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