Jim Mills...."Sharing The Latest Find"...1930 "Original Flathead" PB-4

This 1930 Original Flathead PB-4 Mastertone Banjo... is a virtual ..."Time Capsule" ....and is still in near mint condition after 85 years of existence....it comes with its original calfskin head, plectrum neck, plectrum case, factory instruction papers, bridge, bracket wrench....and even retains its original factory "Gibson Hang Tag" ...with its 1930 retail price of $150.00!!!
It features a matching Frank Neat 5 string neck.....and is set up to modern specs.....with Remo Weatherking head... and is ready for another 85 years of playing....
If interested in this or any other "Guaranteed Original Pre War Gibson Banjo"....Please contact Jim Mills at 919 608 0355 or email [e-mail]
You can also visit our website www.prewargibsonbanjos.com

[@ermancroney3805]

I miss this man - his smile, and his picking. He stands very tall in my understanding of Bluegrass music!

[@661812jmb]

Hello Buck....the name of the second tune is ..."Carolina Traveler"....Earl Scruggs recorded it with John McCuen several years ago......and I was honored to be asked to play it at Earl's funeral.....Great old song in C tuning...hope this helps....Sincerely, Jim Mills

[@daveduncan8004]

Wow, what a beautiful banjo. You do a good job Jim Thanks for showing it to us and thank you for your channel and keep up the good work

[@Scruggs_Crowe]

Honestly, my jaw dropped when you hit those first notes Jim. That may be one of the best sounding banjos I've heard. I need to come hear that thing in person!

[@Robin18us]

Jim can pick on an old open back Harmony and make is sound like one of the best banjos ever made...LOL

[@bradleyswaringen7244]

I agree , good grief that thing is sweet as it gets!

[@Chance-ry1hq]

ArmingtonJames 😂 you sure it’s not your speakers?

[@NatePlays9]

RIP Jimmy.

[@reubenv1713]

Wow! Oustanding find Mr Mills. Beautiful instrument! Pure excellence

[@Themheals]

He wasnt supposed to die yet. There was so much more Jim Mills for the world to see.

[@bobdenver-xz2zl]

Really good clip! Sounds great. Thanks for posting Jim!

[@maxwellfan55]

Lovely banjo, lovely playing, lovely tune. Who could wish for more?

[@johnnewsome1136]

I will be 73 years young in November, and have been listening to (the sound), as I call it, long before I owned a banjo. I could not wait to duplicate a couple of Earls notes when I finally got my current instrument, until I realized my banjo would not make that sound. I might be in tune, but I am not in tone. maybe one day soon. I could listen to that banjo all day long, thanks Jim.

[@conner8770]

How has the progress been since John?

[@bennymcdowell3659]

💀

[@Knappist]

The very next lotterie win I have 😀 I’m coming over Jim, what a beautiful instrument, the sound and looks are stunning 👍

[@bryanhaywood1]

What a beautiful banjo! I've always liked the walnut resonators. Maybe I can play it next month at the prewar Gibson seminar. See you soon!

[@Pete-z6e]

Wow that Resonator is beautiful!!.

[@stephenhenion8304]

Yep, Mighty fine Banja!!!

[@eclay9139]

Amazing banjo !! I didn't know you were so close to me, I'm in Virginia and I've gotta get down there just to check out you're shop and meet you Mr. Mills!! You are by far the greatest banjo player alive in my opinion and prolly best ever other than Earl in my opinion !

[@Pete-z6e]

Hide head blues….my ringtone.

[@whovisionsCGI]

Don't think I would ever be able to afford one of these holy grail banjo's, however being a novice banjo player still learning about banjo's, I would love to feel and hear the difference first hand between a high precision banjo like this to say just a standard banjo. That banjo sounds wonderful.

[@bozoschoonover9051]

YOU LOOKED LIKE THE CHESIRE CAT when you hit the G!!!

[@TheTalemaster]

Jim, if you could, record some of your banjo examples in future with a condenser mic, small or large diaphragm. Dynamic mics lack some of the frequency response range that otherwise more accurately represents the way these wonderful instruments sound :) Cheers!

[@davesiler4064]

Jim my daughter, Kate, is married to your half bother, Rob. I collect banjoes, as well, but cannot hold a candle to your collection, Pick on, my friend!

[@toddbiddle9684]

i love it i hope one day i can see you i play the banjoe player my seilf

[@btpearce]

Nice :-)

[@robcrawford9657]

Awesome! Looks like you really enjoyed that banjo. I hope to be able to get one of the pre wars from you someday.

[@michaelangelo9024]

Hello Mr. Mills ! Would it be possible to get one of those beautys ? Thanks for all the great picking you do . I love the sound of any banjo. It's a beautiful noise. I'll come over and pick up the banjo that you can do without . I just started playing. God bless!

[@markosterman419]

Confused … it’s a PB … so an original plectrum rim with a new neck?

[@GarnettM]

Sweet as Yoo hoo .

[@jewsjw50]

The problem with Banjo's there like Lay's potato Chips ya just can't have just ONE If I weren't married I'd own one of these.

[@661812jmb]

This Banjo has been ....."SOLD".....if you're interested in other similar Guaranteed Original Pre War Gibson Banjos.....Please don't hesitate to contact Jim Mills.... at 919 608 0355 or [e-mail] Thank you. JM

[@copterdude1]

Anyone know the name of the 1st Tune?

[@davestambaugh7282]

Wow They only made twenty five of them and not one was a five string. Jazz was the popular music of 1930 and bluegrass is one of the bigger of the many pop forms today.

[@keithbanther3385]

Awesome banjo. what was the name of the 1st tune?

[@ArkRed1]

Jim, There is a capo Earl made for his banjo that had medical tape wrapped the cross bar. Do you know where I could find close up every angle pictures of this capo. I don't think it was made like the later "C" pattern Scruggs-Reuben ones, but possibly a trapeze type like the McKinney's or Paiges.

[@ugg517]

What a nice 5-string. And great sound too ! Do I play better if I get one like this ?

[@Pete-z6e]

Lasse Bunge , no but you will have no excuse!!

[@1930Granada]

Didn't this one pass through the hands of Geoff Hohwald not too long ago? His website showed an 1930 Style 4 with the Wreath pattern for sale for every bit of 8500 dollars.

[@joshuahymer15]

1930 Granada sure didn’t

[@mikebastiat]

Is the show room still around?

[@661812jmb]

Yes sir....The Banjo Showroom is still around...and is open strictly ..."By Appointment Only"...JM

[@mikebastiat]

@@661812jmb Awesome. I'm in the triad and would LOVE to see this one day and meet you. Thanks!

[@kennymartin3416]

What would something like that cost

[@661812jmb]

Hello Martin.....fully original Factory Flathead banjos like this generally sell in the 75K to 85K range depending upon overall condition...etc.

[@kennymartin3416]

@@661812jmb I've been a guitar guy all my life,a year ago I bought a kit banjo fully assembled and ready to go,i suspect it is a older stew mcdonnell kit, I also happened on a original ode plectrum 34 d for $200 . I just tune to Chicago tuning and I get by.now I have to learn the 5 string rolls .... the guitar was a cake a walk compared to these five strings,. If I ever need to splurge I have your digits,peace and health, marty

[@blackbirdpie217]

I was paying special attention for the gloating part. Never did find it. Jim, I heard a demo of the first single piece flange Gibson on KZbin and it also sounds wonderful, surprisingly an arch top. I always liked arch tops, but I've only had more modern banjos and I'm accustomed to the different tone. Would you say the arch tops sound significantly different from each other among those in the same era? That banjo is a 1929. And what do you like to tap tune an archtop head to? Would you tune a hide head as high as a plastic head? Thanks.

[@661812jmb]

Thanks Dave...Yes Sir.....I agree....some Original Pre War Gibson arch-top banjos can sound absolutely amazing! JM

[@seanmoyses]

I loved the video and passion but as Plectrum Banjo player I cannot help but feel sad for the banjo being stripped down, head changed after 85 years and the original PB neck resigned to not being part of the banjo anymore and played even less. I fully understand the reason you guys do this and I've seen piles of Gibson Tenor and Plectrum necks for sale. It just feels "wrong" to me, but as said, I'm playing Plectrum banjo. You certainly have an amazing collection of Gibsons!!

[@goldenbanjo197]

Yeah fact is, not too many people play plectrum or tenors compared to 5 strings now a days. If I bought a tenor or plectrum, which I have, first thing I would do is slap a five string neck on it. That way I can play bluegrass with it. Good news is, it doesn’t destroy the banjo because it’s only two bolts to put the old neck on if you wanted to. So it’s not like it hurts the banjo or makes it not original.

[@bennymcdowell3659]

5 String banjo player here. I’ve heard people say that there are more people playing 5’s than tenors these days, but I think a lot of folks, myself included, get too caught up in bluegrass world. There are many many people playing tenor banjos in all kinds of music today, and I think saying “there are more of us” is a silly excuse for converting them all to five strings lol. No one asked me, but it’s my opinion that 5 string banjo players are more in need of the tone these old Gibsons have to offer; much more so than tenor players. I think there are many more tonal qualities at play when using three finger picks in all variants of three-finger style. These extra opportunities for expressiveness that three-finger style allows to us is why we’re bothering to convert them in the first place. They hugely lend to the very specific sound of bluegrass banjo playing. I’m not saying that tenor banjo playing is toneless or inferior in any musical way, but I’m ultimately saying that some day, there won’t be a single prewar Gibson tenor banjo left … muahaha

[@elwooddebrot7128]

P4

[@Robin18us]

It cost 150.00, but being I am so kind I will offer you 300.00 for it. What a deal. better grab it fast Jim...LOL

[@petez470]

Jim. I think you have a problem...

[@ronniepickeral2351]

how can i contact you

[@661812jmb]

+Ronnie Pickeral .....Hello Ronnie.....This is Jim Mills...you enquired about how to contact me.... my phone number is 919 608 0355......and my email is [e-mail] I'll look forward to hearing from you. JM

[@merlynschutterle7242]

Sorry, but I didn't care for it.

[@thenakedbootleggers]

really nice Jim you sure do seem to have a knack for finding these rare bosses

[@661812jmb]

Thank you Ona........."The Harder I work......the Luckier I seem to get"!!! ....ha ha......I tell folks all the time.....if they had the time to search for these banjo's 24/7.......365 days a year.......they would find them to!!!!.......all kidding aside....I have been very fortunate and Blessed to have found some of the rarest and most desirable Pre War Gibson Banjos in the World....and I am very thankful.....thank you again Ona....JM

[@reubenv1713]

Wow! Oustanding find Mr Mills. Beautiful instrument! Pure excellence