Gibson Tenor Banjo, used by Vivian Hayes

Object Details

Hayes, Vivian Chenoweth

Gibson, Inc.

Description: This banjo was made by the Gibson, Inc. in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1927. It is a Four-String Tenor Banjo, Mastertone TB-5 Model, short neck, serial number 8693-1, with black walnut shell, black walnut neck, rosewood fingerboard with iridescent ivoroid and marquetry strippings, inlay of white pearl designs, similar ornamentation applied to peghead, 4:1 geared pegs with pearl buttons, electrical lights inside the head, gold-tone metal parts, and a laminated and arched flange resonator with marquetry and ivoroid inlays.; This banjo was custom made for vaudevillian performer Vivian Chenoweth Hayes with jeweled accents on the peghead and inscribed with “Vivian.”; Vivian Hayes toured with her husband Ed Hayes and sister Frances as "Ed Hayes and His Banjo Girls" from 1927-1930.; As indicated in a 1926 Gibson Banjo Catalog testimonial: “The new Gison Mastertone Tenor-banjo is assuredly a marvel instrument. Its snappy tone, coupled with the rich tonal qualities and its ease of playing, make it an instrument which can be used for all purposes – dance, radio and concert.”
Location: Currently not on view

1927

Physical Description: walnut (overall material); rosewood (overall material); metal (overall material); ivoroid (overall material); animal skin (overall material)
Measurements: overall: 32 in x 13 3/4 in x 3 1/2 in; 81.28 cm x 34.925 cm x 8.89 cm

See more items in: Culture and the Arts: Musical Instruments; Music & Musical Instruments; Popular Entertainment; Banjos

National Museum of American History

GUID (Link to Original Record): https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a4-5229-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa