localhost - Posted - 01/22/2026:  19:09:13

I have spent too many hours looking at classifieds and auctions and I can't figure out if there is any rhyme or formula for determining what brand a banjo gets listed as being. Some list "Gibson whatever model" and then say it has a pot from another manufacturer. Others list "Gibson whatever model" and say the neck is from this other manufacturer. I'd bet there's a "Gibson whatever model" that has a replacement neck AND pot listed somewhere here on planet earth. My question isn't specific to Gibson, its just an easy target for my examples.



I get that as humans we do whatever is in our best interest... so usually saying whatever brand is going to get you the most views, the highest price, the best value etc. But is there a particular way its supposed to work in a perfect world? Does it take the name of the neck mfg, the pot mfg?

Edited by - localhost on 01/22/2026 19:10:00

eljimb0 - Posted - 01/22/2026:  19:35:39

If the banjo head says "Remo" That is it! It is a Remo. I have only seen one (1) ..fake Remo. I made It myself, and I will never, ever sell it.

Edited by - eljimb0 on 01/22/2026 19:36:53

KCJones - Posted - 01/22/2026:  19:39:17

Bit of a 'Ship of Theseus' issue, I think. I doubt there's a consensus.



Definitions vary but I think generally it's the pot assembly that's considered the "core" of the banjo, especially when you're talking about TB and PB conversions.



I've seen "Gibson" banjos that didn't even have a single Gibson part on them (some of them arguably better quality than a real Gibson). Sullivan rim, Kulesh ring, Neat neck, Cox resonator, Prucha hardware, all assembled by a 3rd party, that type of thing.

Funny thing, in the latter years, did Gibson even make anything? Didn't they basically get all their parts from contract OEMs and just do the final fitting and marketing? How much different is one of the later real Gibsons to a parts banjo like I described above? 

Edited by - KCJones on 01/22/2026 19:41:10

localhost - Posted - 01/22/2026:  19:59:01

Got it. So banjo parts have an associative property to them which allows (through contact) them to assume the name of the most (perceived) valuable part the owner feels they can sell the banjo for as having been associated with, and therefore is, the namesake of the entire banjo. It all makes sense now.

trapdoor2 - Posted - 01/22/2026:  20:35:15

50% Gibson, 50% Spitz, 50% Labrador Retriever.

Have you got any Labrador?

No? Well, if you did have some Labrador, this banjo would retrieve it!

Bill Rogers - Posted - 01/22/2026:  20:47:05

There are many banjo brands that do not copy Gibson style and construction. Your conclusion really applies almost entirely to Gibson banjos and not to banjos in general, though many 4-string Vegas have had new 5-string necks made for them. No one is faking Vegas. @localhost

localhost - Posted - 01/23/2026:  05:09:06

quote:

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Originally posted by Bill Rogers

There are many banjo brands that do not copy Gibson style and construction. Your conclusion really applies almost entirely to Gibson banjos and not to banjos in general, though many 4-string Vegas have had new 5-string necks made for them. No one is faking Vegas. @localhost

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I can agree that the overwhelming amount of ones like this seem to weigh in on the Gibson name. But I've come across PLENTY that have been non-gibsons, and which part they list the banjo as being varies. Listing as "parts banjo" isn't as flashy as listing as (just for example) a Huber, but then you crack open the listing and see "Huber neck with RK76 pot" or whatever combo. I'm not against it, I was just wondering.

@Bill Rogers My 'conclusion' in the second post was just humor. I was of course not serious. 

KCJones - Posted - 01/23/2026:  06:35:06

quote:

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Originally posted by Bill Rogers

No one is faking Vegas. 

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Deering?

kyleb - Posted - 01/23/2026:  06:38:20

to me of youre talking gibsons:

If the banjo started as a 4 string, then pot should be gibson to be called a gibson. Modifications still can be called a gibson if noted. The real important part is its rim, if the rim is changed, it me its no longer a real gibson.

Modifications that dont change it from a gibson in my eye:
Cut for a tone ring
Replaced flange (if old flange broke)
replaced tail peice

To me, non original parts reduce value, but dont change the brand. Since people dont play tenors, changing a tenor neck doesnt change the brand either.

Steve Huber often refers to banjos as car parts, and i think this applies well to this discussion, if youre restoring a classic car, its still that car if you have the bones. But often youll need a new engine, youll need a new interior, youll need a new dash, some new panels, new wheels, etc. The bones of an old gibson non masterone are the rim and resonator. Mastertone then include the tone ring. If it started as five string, then the neck is 100% included. The flange is a great to have, but since they often break with age, replacement is acceptable, the tailpeice is similar since like car parts, there are tailpeices are upgrades and upgrades are acceptable.

Like a classic car, the amount of non original parts in the restoration greatly affects the value, same with an old gibson banjo.

RB3 - Posted - 01/23/2026:  06:47:31

Unlike guitars, mandolins, and fiddles that are glued together, banjos are very much like "hot rod" automobiles. They're mechanical assemblies that can be easily disassembled and customized.

localhost - Posted - 01/23/2026:  07:14:42

I'm a car guy so that all makes total sense to me. Its probably part of why I like the banjo so much to be honest.

BanjoLink - Posted - 01/23/2026:  11:58:27

quote:

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Originally posted by localhost

I'm a car guy so that all makes total sense to me. Its probably part of why I like the banjo so much to be honest.

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Yeah ...... think of it as putting "juice brakes" on a model A.  It's still a Ford Model A, but it has better brakes.  You can make all sorts of modifications, but it is still a Ford.  Once you have been around these banjos enough then you know what you are dealing with, so it is really not a mystery.  Of course to the uninitiated in the banjo world, it is possible to be fooled.

KCJones - Posted - 01/23/2026:  12:56:52

Good analogy too because you can have a 'matching numbers' banjo, which would be matching serial/FON on the neck (or dowel stick) and rim.

Laurence Diehl - Posted - 01/23/2026:  13:26:06

It’s a good question. Kind of analogous to the collectors market vs players market. Collectors want all original, pristine condition. Players mostly want it to sound good.

kaydee - Posted - 02/06/2026:  09:55:42

It’s a bit like “Triggers broom” for those of you who know what that is.
It’s all original but it’s had 5 new heads and 4 new handles.