Gibson MASTERTONE pearl pre inlaid headstock ebony Luthier Banjo 1925 1926 inlay

Description

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Please read this description carefully as well as take a close look at the high definition
photographs
I have provided before you purchase this inlay.  Thank you!
This is a beautiful, pre-inlaid headstock MASTERTONE made from genuine, 0.050" thick mother of pearl inlay
already installed
in a piece of genuine ebony.  I've done all the hard work for you on this one!  All you have left to do is measure accurately and install this much more forgiving triangle!
MASTERTONE was inlaid in the headstock of Gibson banjos that had a "Ball Bering" style tone ring during 1925 and part of 1926 (the "ball bearing" years) and if you've ever tried to cut these tiny letters yourself, I think you'll really appreciate these!  As difficult as cutting the mother of pearl is, attempting to install these in their proper positioning is another matter altogether!
The original pre war lettering was slightly
imperfect, sometimes installed a little crooked and were unique from one banjo to another.  Sometimes the lettering were slightly different in size, spacing, etc., but they were always pretty close.  Remember that the originals were all cut and installed by hand.
This example comes as a result of years of me converting these banjos from tenor and plectrum to 5-string by building reproduction 5-String necks for collectors, artists, dealers and individuals who love and use them as their every-day player instruments.  For a while I had to rely on outsourcing my pearl work, but it never looked quite right to me, or was too perfect and therefore not as convincing as a representation of a genuine pre war Gibson banjo. Because of that, I started producing my own right here in the shop employing CNC technology. I taught myself to program in the details that I could see in these old instruments.  Each one of these are consistent, but with some of the characteristic imperfections of the period.
The measurements of the ebony may vary, but the mother of pearl inlay will not. So, should you need more than one or order more at a later time, you'll get a consistent product every time.
The last 2 last photographs show an original 1925 Gibson Granada alongside the pre inlaid MASTERTONE under it.
This headstock MASTERTONE inlay was also used in style 3, 4 and 5 and the Granada of that time period.
Made In The
United
States
of
America
by an
A
m
e
r
i
c
a
n
!
This isn't coming from China... this is coming from Virginia, USA where I work on the real deal every day!
DON'T LET THESE GET AWAY!
PLEASE NOTE:
I highly recommend that you use a flat gluing caul when installing these.  I like to use HDPE for projects like this because glue doesn't easily stick to it. This also keeps the ebony from curling up on the ends or in the middle when glue is applied, which tends to cause the ebony to swell.
Gently clamp the piece flat until you are ready to use it.  This will keep atmospheric exchange from curling the ebony and potentially reining your project.
GET THESE WHILE YOU CAN!
Thank you,
Richie Dotson
Acoustic Box LLC
Hopewell, VA