Gibson TB-3 Mastertone serial#8719-100 dates to 1927  and features the no-hole raised-head tone ring frequently seen on Mastertone banjos from this period.  The banjo conforms to standard specifications for style 3 Mastertones of 1927 to 1929 with maple neck and resonator, a tube-and-plate flange, nickel-plated hardware, and “diamonds and squares” inlay in the rosewood fingerboard and fiddle-shaped peghead.

Equipped with the full professional Mastertone flange, resonator, and tone ring hardware package. The resonator is bound on both edges, and the Gibson twin coordinator rods are installed inside. The 1928-era tone ring is a solid no-hole arch-top piece, considered a huge improvement on the earlier ball bearing style. This is coupled with the 2-piece tube-and-plate flange in use at the time. While this combination is not as sought after by Bluegrass players this flange remains higher quality example of metalwork than the one-piece cast unit that replaced it a year or so later.

The slim maple neck has a bound rosewood fingerboard ornamented with the simple but effective diamond pearl inlay motif that is one of Gibson’s classic looks. The headstock has a script Gibson logo and small filigrees in pearl. All hardware is nickel plated. The TB-3 cost $150 in 1928, not an extravagant price for a 1920s tenor banjo but still an expensive proposition for many players. While not particularly rare instrument the “working man’s” Style 3 is getting harder to find today as over the last 6 decades large percentage of them have been used as the basis for 5-string conversions. This example retains its original tenor form and still plays and sounds excellent.
 
Overall length is 34 1/2 in. (87.6 cm.), 11 in. (27.9 cm.) diameter head. Scale length is 23 in. (584 mm.). Width of nut is 1 in. (25 mm.).

This TB-3 has long been a working instrument and retains its original finish with some wear-through on the back of the neck. The finish has some light scrapes most notably to the back of the resonator.

The original Grover “Tab2” tuners hold tuning well with no slipping, as are all four resonator retaining bolts. The plating is decently preserved overall. Comes with a solid, robust quality case (manufacturer unknown)