Gibson Tenor Banjo, used by Vivian Hayes
Gibson Tenor Banjo, used by Vivian Hayes
- Description (Brief)
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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.
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This banjo was custom made for vaudevillian performer Vivian Chenoweth Hayes with jeweled accents on the peghead and inscribed with “Vivian.”
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Vivian Hayes toured with her husband Ed Hayes and sister Frances as "Ed Hayes and His Banjo Girls" from 1927-1930.
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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
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