- 1). Set the banjo on a blanket in a clean, dry, well-lighted area. Work on the floor if you can to avoid dropping any pieces from a table or desk.
- 2). Look on the fingerboard for a square made of mother of pearl. If you see the word "Mastertone" inlaid or etched there, this is an upscale Gibson banjo that may be an archtop.
- 3). Turn the banjo so it's face-up, with the strings facing the ceiling. Unscrew the four thumb screws around the edge of the banjo. You'll be able to do this by hand. Set them aside and carefully pull off the resonator, which is the lower cover on the front of the banjo.
- 4). Turn the banjo over and look at the inner wooden rim. You'll see the "Gibson Mastertone" label. Inside the rim, all the way around the banjo, is a ring of metal known as the tone ring. It helps the banjo resonate and create its unique sound.
- 5). Count the holes in the metal. The most typical banjo, called the "ball bearing" type, has 60. If you count 40, or zero, it's an archtop banjo. If the metal has some holes but fewer than 40, and also has a completely flat top, it's an even more rare and valuable type of instrument.
- 6). Take a few pictures of the inside of the banjo for later reference so you don't have to take it apart again. Reassemble the banjo and store it in a safe place.
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