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daverepair - Posted - 03/22/2026: 06:53:44
Looking to buy a Kershner tailpiece(which I think would have been the original) for my 1927 Gibson GB1 guitar-banjo. I know they are beyond rare, but, hey, it doesn't hurt to ask!
mikehalloran - Posted - 03/24/2026: 23:36:12
Gibson was probably using an 8-stringed Waverly on those, like most style 1 banjos in the 1920s. I have one with a hanger from a Kalamazoo but it's missing the three or five lobe "cloud" cover. Those show up on eBay now and then.
daverepair - Posted - 03/25/2026: 10:44:23
I have several photos of same-era GBs, with the Kershner TP.
The Old Timer - Posted - 03/25/2026: 13:11:06
Dave, can you post a couple of those photos? I've been around a long time and seen a lot of banjos and never even heard of a 6 string Kershner. Admittedly I haven't seen a lot of GB Gibsons though. I'm curious.
I have seen some photos of 1920s GB-1s that had the stamped brass "window pane" tailpiece though.
OldFrets - Posted - 03/25/2026: 13:23:02
A quick glance through RetroFret's past inventory (just because I know they've had a bunch of Gibson GBs) reveals a mix of Kershner and guitar-style trapezes: retrofret.com/search?q=title%3...sold=true
Here's what the Kershner looks like. It's quite different from the 4-string version but I have owned one and can verify that this is indeed a Kershner.
Edited by - OldFrets on 03/25/2026 13:24:01
The Old Timer - Posted - 03/25/2026: 15:03:54
There are a couple of those on Greg Earnest's web site. However, one looks like it might have been made by altering a Dobro tailpiece, sort of. I had no idea those were Kershners. Thanks!
mikehalloran - Posted - 03/31/2026: 11:04:30
quote:
Originally posted by The Old Timer
There are a couple of those on Greg Earnest's web site. However, one looks like it might have been made by altering a Dobro tailpiece, sort of. I had no idea those were Kershners. Thanks!
New one on me, too. I would have expected to see them on L&H guitar banjos.
The Old Timer - Posted - 03/31/2026: 12:37:45
Just found GB tailpiece listed in the old Gibson 1937 catalog reprint. Page 85.
Part 792 Guitar Banjo; nickel/ extension $2.25 (no illustration though)
5 string banjo Prestos by comparison were $1.50
The Grover Deluxe extension was $4.80
Whatever "extension" means.
