Gibson/Oriole Tenor Banjo 1920s

This 1920s Oriole is a Gibson-made, budget-line banjo from the peak of the jazz-age banjo boom. “Oriole” was one of Gibson’s house brands, used for more affordable instruments that could be sold through dealers and catalog channels without competing head-on with the flagship Gibson-branded models. Construction was still factory Gibson, typically sharing the same core woodworking and many of the same parts concepts, just with simpler appointments and branding.

In its original form, an Oriole from this era would most often have been a 4-string tenor banjo, built to cut through early dance bands with fast decay and strong midrange. This example has been rebuilt into a 5-string bluegrass-style banjo while keeping the key pre-war foundation: the original rim. The rim is only very slightly ovalised (common on old banjos), and has no delaminations.

The current pot assembly is voiced around later pre-war Gibson ideas. A JLS 12 tone ring has been fitted, a metallurgically correct replica of a 1930s Gibson-style ring, paired with a period-correct zamac/pot metal flange and matching tension hoop. The neck is a Gibson Greg Rich era RB Standard maple neck, refretted with new EVO frets. Its original finish has been sanded back to expose the flame maple and then re-varnished, which feels great and looks fantastic.

Cosmetically this is no “case queen”, but it is structurally sound. The tone has the dry “crack” many players associate with pre-war Gibson-based banjos: immediate attack, strong note separation, and plenty of headroom.

A modern SKB hardshell case is included. Weight is 5600g.

SPECIFICATIONS

• Era and brand: 1920s Oriole, made by Gibson (Kalamazoo, Michigan)
• Configuration: 5-string conversion on an original pre-war rim
• Rim: original pre-war rim, slightly ovalised, no delaminations
• Tone ring: JLS 12 ring, metallurgy-correct 1930s Gibson-style replica
• Flange: period-correct zamac or pot metal flange
• Tension hoop: period-correct zamac or pot metal
• Resonator: figured maple resonator with dark stained finish
• Neck: Gibson Greg Rich era RB Standard maple neck, refinished after sanding back
• Fingerboard: Ebony fingerboard with pearl inlays
• Frets: new EVO frets
• Tuners: 4 main tuners plus geared 5th-string tuner
• Bridge: maple
• Head: frosted banjo head
• Case: modern SKB hardshell case in good condition
• Weight: 5600g