Hooks and Nuts | { Gibson Prewar Banjos }

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Hooks and nuts are used to create head tension by pulling down on the tension hoop. There are four types of hook and nut configurations found on Gibson prewar banjos.

Round Hooks

The round hook was the most commonly used hook on a prewar banjo. Round hooks sport a 8-26 thread.

Nickel, Chrome, and Gold Round Hooks and Nuts

Note the blowout from the cut-off die on the bottom of the hook face.

Note the ball end found on prewar round hooks.

Round Hooks on a Notched Tension Hoop

Top Tension Bolts

Top tension banjos were just that, allowing the user to tighten the head without taking off the resonator. This was achieved by tightening the top tension bolts directly into a threaded hole in the flange. Top tension bolts have a 10-24 thread.

Top Tension Bolts

Top tension bolts in a threaded flange.

Flat Hooks

Another style of hook Gibson used in the prewar days was the flat hook. These hooks required a grooved tension hoop. Like round hooks, flat hooks also have 8-26 threads.

Flat Hooks and Nuts

Closeup of a Flat Hook

Flat Hook in Grooved Tension Hoop

Late Prewar Hooks

Some banjos built during WWII came with a different style of round hooks and nuts. This hook had a slightly different shape and utilized an 8-32 thread. The nuts looked similar to those that would be used during the 1950s, however these nuts have a different thread and are not interchangeable with 50s nuts.

Late Prewar Hooks and Nuts