Gibson TB-75 #312-3

                       

           

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 in completely original, near-mint condition.  It 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.  The sideways first-fret inlay is a variation commonly seen on style 75 banjos.  The metal pickguard was likely an aftermarket addition.

Photos courtesy of Melvin Cumbee.


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