L. B. Gatcomb “Standard” model 35, 5-string banjo Circa 1890, S/N 4742
Gatcomb was a noted Boston banjo maker and publisher in the 1890's, and he sold banjos in competition with Fairbanks, Cole, and other Boston makers. The model number may actually have been the price, as this medium grade banjo probably sold for about $35 back then. One interesting feature on higher grade Gatcomb banjos is the "little gem" neck adjuster inserted into the heel of the neck and adjusted by a little screw accessed through a small hole in the heel. Note the nice marquetry inlay inside the rim and the unusual scale length, which places the bridge much closer to the tailpiece than is usually seen.
