Gibson Tenor Banjo, used by Vivian Hayes
Gibson Tenor Banjo, used by Vivian Hayes
- Description (Brief)
-
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
- Object Name
- banjo
- date made
- 1927
- user
- Hayes, Vivian Chenoweth
- maker
- Gibson, Inc.
- place made
- United States: Michigan, Kalamazoo
- 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
- ID Number
- 1992.0481.01
- accession number
- 1992.0481
- catalog number
- 1992.0481.01
- Credit Line
- Gift of the family of Vivian Chenoweth Hayes
- See more items in
- Cultural and Community Life: Musical Instruments
- Music & Musical Instruments
- Banjos
- Popular Entertainment
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.
If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.