overlook77 - Posted - 03/12/2026:  12:53:29

Hi everyone,

Just curious what the market value for a 1969 Gibson Mastertone banjo is. It has a replacement neck but I have the original flyswatter neck and hardshell case.

tdennis - Posted - 03/12/2026:  13:25:02

How about some pics, a good portrait & some descriptions of condition ??

The Old Timer - Posted - 03/12/2026:  13:26:33

If it's in good shape (attractive) it's worth at least $2000, although it probably has the thin rim (7/16").

This is one Gibson that can gain value if the rim has been "upgraded" with one of the proper thickness (9/16").

1961brd - Posted - 03/12/2026:  14:21:30

Market "Value" is the price one is willing to pay...banjohangout.org/classified/114377

Edited by - 1961brd on 03/12/2026 14:25:37

Bill Rogers - Posted - 03/12/2026:  14:59:02

And “asking price” is just that. Sellers usually know that they can always cut their price, but not raise it. So they often start at more than anyone in the current buyer’s market will pay. Whatever price a banjo brings sets the market price, usually at least for 24 hours.

J.Albert - Posted - 03/12/2026:  15:13:39

1969 was a rare bird if I recall. A "transitional" model.

One-piece flange, but with a fiddle headstock, bowtie-style inlays, flathead.

What kind of neck is on it now?

What was "wrong" with the original?

Good pics, please.

GStump - Posted - 03/12/2026:  20:50:38

I'm with John Albert above - to my knowledge and recollection, the 69' is usually that transitional model. One piece flange, bowtie inlays, fiddle headstock, Kluson tuners, quite often it had some chrome hardware, or a mix of nickel and chrome; quite often had a cherry sunburst finish instead of the brownish' tint finish that came on earlier bowties. I think they only made this model or version for about 2 years, in 68' and 9', or 69' and 70'. OR possibly introduced in late 68' and continued into early 70'; at which point they switched back to the R and B inlays, ebony board, fiddle headstock, neck and resonator both made from mahogany, "Norlin" era RB 250 that we all know and hate.... oops, I mean love!

BanjoLink - Posted - 03/13/2026:  06:57:43

quote:

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Originally posted by GStump

I'm with John Albert above - to my knowledge and recollection, the 69' is usually that transitional model. One piece flange, bowtie inlays, fiddle headstock, Kluson tuners, quite often it had some chrome hardware, or a mix of nickel and chrome; quite often had a cherry sunburst finish instead of the brownish' tint finish that came on earlier bowties. I think they only made this model or version for about 2 years, in 68' and 9', or 69' and 70'. OR possibly introduced in late 68' and continued into early 70'; at which point they switched back to the R and B inlays, ebony board, fiddle headstock, neck and resonator both made from mahogany, "Norlin" era RB 250 that we all know and hate.... oops, I mean love!

---

Correct ..... on all counts.

overlook77 - Posted - 03/16/2026:  05:17:01

Here are pictures:

Banjo

Banjo2

overlook77 - Posted - 03/16/2026:  05:20:58

quote:

---

Originally posted by J.Albert

1969 was a rare bird if I recall. A "transitional" model.

One-piece flange, but with a fiddle headstock, bowtie-style inlays, flathead.

What kind of neck is on it now?

What was "wrong" with the original?

Good pics, please.

---

I uploaded some pics, my dad didnt like the flyswatter neck and I think he had someone build him the neck with the hearts and flowers inlay.  Nothing to my knowledge is wrong with the original neck or anything with the banjo at all.  I believe outside of the replacement neck the banjo is all original

The Old Timer - Posted - 03/16/2026:  10:57:18

If you could take the resonator off, and take a well lit photo of its interior, it will help us determine what kind of rim you have and how well/poorly the tone ring fits.

If you can find out the maker of the replacement neck that might help a lot with a sale. Some neck makers are HIGHLY prized.

A photo of the original neck, front and back, is also helpful.

overlook77 - Posted - 03/16/2026:  15:36:16

I found out the current neck is a 2011 bought from Gibson. I took pictures of the tone ring and original neck.

 

tone ring



open back

headstock

headstock rear

neck

neck rear

tone ring

 

Jbo1 - Posted - 03/17/2026:  09:23:38

Getting back to your original question, if the original flyswatter neck is in good condition, I think that would add value to the banjo, as those are making a bit of a comeback. With both necks being original Gibson, I would guess the market for such a banjo to be $2,500-$3,500. Others with more knowledge should chime in.

pinenut - Posted - 03/17/2026:  09:33:17

J.Albert - Posted - 03/17/2026:  15:15:32

Judging by the original neck, that looks older than 1969 to me.

1968, perhaps?

Is there a serial number stamped into the back of the peghead?

(if it's there, may be hard to distinguish)

El Dobro - Posted - 03/22/2026:  09:06:42

quote:

---

Originally posted by BanjoLink

quote:

---

Originally posted by GStump

I'm with John Albert above - to my knowledge and recollection, the 69' is usually that transitional model. One piece flange, bowtie inlays, fiddle headstock, Kluson tuners, quite often it had some chrome hardware, or a mix of nickel and chrome; quite often had a cherry sunburst finish instead of the brownish' tint finish that came on earlier bowties. I think they only made this model or version for about 2 years, in 68' and 9', or 69' and 70'. OR possibly introduced in late 68' and continued into early 70'; at which point they switched back to the R and B inlays, ebony board, fiddle headstock, neck and resonator both made from mahogany, "Norlin" era RB 250 that we all know and hate.... oops, I mean love!

---

Correct ..... on all counts.

---

I owned 907489. It was ordered in May of 1970 and received in August of 1970. The fingerboard was ebony with bowties, the neck was 5-ply maple with the cherry sunburst and had the fiddle headstock and it was held on with two coordinator rods. The resonator back was maple with the cherry sunburst, but the sides were mahagony and it was held on with 4 thumbscrews. The metal was chrome plated. Tuners were Klusons with a Grover friction 5th. The tone ring was heavy with 20 holes and sat atop a 7 ply, lame looking maple rim that was painted black.

It was the first of my many Mastertones. 

BanjoLink - Posted - 03/22/2026:  09:09:48

quote:

---

Originally posted by El Dobro

quote:

---

Originally posted by BanjoLink

quote:

---

Originally posted by GStump

I'm with John Albert above - to my knowledge and recollection, the 69' is usually that transitional model. One piece flange, bowtie inlays, fiddle headstock, Kluson tuners, quite often it had some chrome hardware, or a mix of nickel and chrome; quite often had a cherry sunburst finish instead of the brownish' tint finish that came on earlier bowties. I think they only made this model or version for about 2 years, in 68' and 9', or 69' and 70'. OR possibly introduced in late 68' and continued into early 70'; at which point they switched back to the R and B inlays, ebony board, fiddle headstock, neck and resonator both made from mahogany, "Norlin" era RB 250 that we all know and hate.... oops, I mean love!

---

Correct ..... on all counts.

---

I owned 907489. It was ordered in May of 1970 and received in August of 1970. The fingerboard was ebony with bowties, the neck was 5-ply maple with the cherry sunburst and had the fiddle headstock and it was held on with two coordinator rods. The resonator back was maple with the cherry sunburst, but the sides were mahagony and it was held on with 4 thumbscrews. The metal was chrome plated. Tuners were Klusons with a Grover friction 5th. The tone ring was heavy with 20 holes and sat atop a 7 ply, lame looking maple rim that was painted black.

It was the first of my many Mastertones. 

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Sounds just like mine.