We are auctioning this instrument for the owner, “as-is” and “as-found,” and no repairs or modifications have been done by Gryphon. Here’s a detailed description to accompany the photos:
Original shell with Gibson decal, original 40-hole archtop tonering, one-piece resonator flange, tension hoop, coordinating rods, and L brackets. Resonator lugs are original, but only 3 of the 4 thumbscrews have survived. Hooks and nuts are not original, but a few original nuts may be mixed in. Tailpiece has been changed, armrest is missing. The resonator is original, and its numbers match the shell, but it has been refinished and there are two cracks in the binding on the upper edge as shown. There’s a bit of a crunch to the inside edge of the resonator at one of these cracks to the binding, probably from being dropped and the L bracket made “ a significant impression” in the resonator wall, but nothing shows on the outside.
Warning! Resonator flange is both pitted and warped, but is intact with no cracks (don’t say we didn’t warn you!).
Now for the neck: Finish, tuners, truss rod cover, fretboard, inlays, and frets are original. But the neck has been broken and repaired at the heel and at the base of the headstock (there’s a nail or screw from the truss rod cavity through to the handstop). Finish is badly worn as shown in the photos.
Original tenor case is in very good condition but the lower half of one of the latches is missing. How the case survived in such good condition when the rest of the banjo got whupped is anybody’s guess.