This is a rare one piece flange archtop Gibson banjo with serial number 9717-18 sold through Montgomery Ward with the Studio King name. According to my research, the batch with serial number 9717 is the only one piece flange Mastertone banjos sold under this name. Gibson made this banjo using high end parts. The mahogany resonator (with matching numbers on the resonator, rim and neck) has the double bound multi-colored marquetry inlay pattern used on the Style 5. The tenor neck is inlaid with the hearts and flowers inlay pattern used on the Grenada. And the white with black stripe binding on the neck and resonator along with the white heel cap is like that installed on the Style 4 and Granada. Gibson, however, did not put an adjustable truss rod in these tenor banjo necks. All parts are original which includes the original 40 hole arch top tone ring, the original one piece flange that has some warping which is common for these, and the tension hoop which has some flaring which is also common. The tuners are the original 2 band Grover tuners that have not been regreased and the original Presto Patent Pending tenor tailpiece.
There are very few of those banjos known to exist. I only know of 5. This one, plus I saw a converted one for sale a few years ago and Greg Earnest has 3 of these on his website. You can visit his website and read about these banjos at earnestbanjo.com
The resonator on this banjo has been repaired with some marquetry and veneer replaced and loose veneer reglued. The back has had extra lacquer applied but sides are still original finish. Resonator and neck have scratches as seen in photos and the neck has a heel crack as seen in the photos. Also the resonator has some wood that appears to have moved along the binding as seen in photos but nothing is loose. This banjo is all original except strings, bridge, head, and the repairs mentioned.
Includes a similar time period 5 string or plectrum case. As seen in the photos, the outside is pretty rough with the inside not so bad. I put a 5 string banjo in to see if it would fit and it fit fine except the geared 5th string peg is too long to allow the lid to close. A friction peg would probably fit.
I played this banjo a long time as a 5 string conversion. The sound is excellent and stays strong up the neck.
Feel free to contact me for additional info., photos, etc. I also have an appraisal for insurance by Charlie Cushman where he examined this banjo and states that the parts are original.
