1929 Gibson RB-Granada, Original 5-string Flathead 9556-5 The Porter Church

 Factory Order Number 9556-5

This is one of the Best banjos I have ever played, an original 5-string Granada known as the Porter Church. It is featured in the book “One Thousand and One Banjos: The Tsumura Collection”  by Akira Tsumura. It has had some work done to it over the years but still is one of only approximately 17 Gibson original 5-string Granada’s ever produced.  The tone ring is a high profile, heavyweight 20 hole flat head with most of the gold worn off of the outer diameter. Coincidentally, it looks exactly like Earls. The rim is stamped 9556-5 and the Master tone decal is barely cut at the top (again, like Earls). The side and bottom of the rim has been refinished as it was cut to accept a later, smaller inside diameter, prewar one-piece pot metal flange. The tailpiece, hooks and nuts, coordinator-rod hardware, L-brackets and resonator wall lugs are original hardware. The tension hoop and armrest are not original prewar hardware.

The curly maple neck features its original Brazilian fingerboard with flying eagle inlay. The heel of the neck has been professionally repaired from a old break and a white heel cap added,  The back of the neck has been refinished and the peg-head face has been over sprayed with repaired D-tuner holes.  The curly maple resonator has non-original concentric rings inlaid in the back of the resonator and the back and sidewalls have been refinished.    w/older hardshell case.

Cell/Text Steve at 615.330.8366 

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