1937 Gibson Style 18 Orig. Flathead First Factory Production F.O.N 348-1 w/Video

Price: $95,000.00 USD

For several years the Gibson company was no longer producing a gold plated banjo until the advent of the Style 18 in 1937. The 18, along with the 7 and 12 were the new top-tension design. This banjo happens to be the very first
Style 18 made. This TB-18 F.O.N. 348-1 is known as the "Lloyd Dunn" and very well documented. The 18 features a beautiful curly maple resonator and gold plated hardware with the Style 18 engraving pattern. The tone ring is a high profile, full weight ring and the original "clamshell" tailpiece and tuners are included. Also featured is a fantastic curly maple conversion neck by Chris Warner in the classic 18 style complete with a radiused fretboard. The shows fantastic figure with a great profile and playability. The tuners are Keith standard in gold plating. The original tenor neck and "red line" case are included in the sale. This banjo incidentally is currently housed in a "red line" case that was for an RB-18 previously. Here's a YouTube sample of this banjo: youtube.com/watch?v=83e3AgcEGTM
Here's a summary of its early history: TB-18 (FON 348-1) was the first style -18. It was assembled in October of 1937. It was not immediately sold but rather used as a salesman’s demo for a year. It was shipped on Thursday, February 16th, 1939 to William L. Nutting Inc. in Nashua, New Hampshire, and was then shipped on Saturday, March 18th, 1939 to DeLand Music in DeLand, Florida. This instrument (348-1) belonged to Lloyd W Dunn, Vice President of Research and International Marketing at Capitol Records who acquired it from Roc Hillman. There's much more information regarding Lloyd Dunn and this banjo. If you have any questions or desire additional information, don't hesitate to ask. Thanks for looking.

Shipping: USPS, UPS, Fed-Ex, International as well. Paid by buyer. Local pickup as well.

Posted By: Ceres Banjo Works
United States, TN,

Condition of Banjo: Used - Excellent Condition

More Info on this Banjo

Type: 5-String Resonator, Brand: Gibson

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