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Pre War Gibson Style Bone “Door Knob” pips, also known as a 5th string nut.
Looking for an authentic touch for your project? These style pips were installed on Gibson 5-String Banjos (RB) from the 1930s through about 1943. They have a unique look that, if properly colored or lightly stained, have the genuine look and feel of the originals.
These are priced and sold each - 1 (one) unit. I have plenty, however.
This is the detail that is most often overlooked by builders when reproducing a pre WWII style Gibson 5-string Mastertone banjo neck. These are machine turned one at a time and yet produced to insure consistency, there are slight variations from one pip to the next, just as they were in the 1930s and the 1940s at the Gibson plant in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
The Outside Diameter of the base of the shaft measures 0.125” within about 0.005”or so and the length of the shaft (only the part under the dome base … the part that gets installed into the fingerboard) measures 0.120” in length within about 0.005” or so.
The outside diameter of the "Doorknob" above the base measures 0.175”. The collar under the knob measures 0.040” tall and the top of the knob measures 0.115" tall and the width of the knob is 0.160" in diameter. These are taller than a modern or a derby style pip rising 0.155" above the surface of the fingerboard. Modern, standard fret wire measures 0.040" tall, so please keep that in mind.
These pips are UNSLOTTED and ready for installation in your project. We do not offer slotting services on these because the angle of the slot is directional and the depth of the slot may depend on the fretwire you are using as well as the setup that you chose for your banjo project.
The photos you see are from a real batch of pips produced right here in my shop. They may have slight machine marks or tiny file marks on them.
After working with and on original Pre-War Gibson banjos for years I can honestly say that these pips are as an exact generalized reproduction of the originals, and we may be the only shop in the world making them.
These pips will NOT replace a modern, 1/8” pip on a newer Gibson or most Gibson Style Banjos as those are usually set too close to the 5th fret and some modification would be necessary. These are better suited for new construction, Pre-War Gibson MASTERTONE or sub MASTERTONE Reproduction Banjo Necks for that Authentic, pre-war look!
These are made from seasoned, bleached and machined bone, and proudly make here in my shop in Virginia USA. Made By Hand, and Made By Me!
Due to the postal rate increase I am no longer offering free shipping.
My family and I thank you for your business!
Richie Dotson
Acoustic Box LLC
Hopewell, Virginia