Robert Morast, "Famous Guitars: Music Museum Buys Guitar Used By Johnny Cash," Sioux Falls Argus Leader (October 30, 2004). With it’s ‘hearts and flowers’ inlay on the fingerboard, we can date this banjo into the late 1920’s, and we believe this to be a TB-4.
#GIBSON TENOR BANJO SERIAL NUMBERS SERIAL NUMBERS#
Unfortunately, any serial numbers are gone. In 1946, Gibson changed the logo on all their instruments from script lettering to block letters. Examine the Gibson logo on the peghead, the part of the banjo where the tuning pegs attach. Gibson usually made a few instruments of the same type at the same time. Gibson banjos carry decals, serial numbers and other physical features that can help you learn more about your banjo. Since the rim is stamped 'PAT.APPLD FOR', and the Patent application was in September, 1925, it must have been made shortly thereafter. Literature: Property from the Estate of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash: Septem(New York: Sotheby's, 2004), p. A great tenor Very lively piece of history. The first number is the lot number, and second is the bin number. This 1980 RB-250 model banjo was given to Johnny Cash by Earl Scruggs, the bluegrass legend, with a gift inscription written in pencil on the head of the instrument.Īccording to a note in Cash's hand, written on an envelope and preserved with the banjo, Johnny played this instrument "on many concerts and records." Cash and Scruggs collaborated often, including albums that came out in 20. Banjo by Gibson, Inc., Kalamazoo, January 2, 1980.Įx colls.: Earl Scruggs, Johnny Cash.