Gibson RB-100 Left Handed 5 String Banjo (1957)
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Item # 6514
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Gibson RB-100 Left Handed Model 5 String Banjo (1957), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, natural mahogany finish, maple rim, mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case.
Here's something we REALLY hardly ever see -- a left-handed 5-string Gibson banjo! While Gibson was usually amenable to custom orders for southpaw instruments, they appear to have hardly ever built 5-strings in this configuration. The model is the RB-100, which was the company's standard "no-frills" midline banjo in the 1950s and '60s. With a full resonator and flange but a simple brass tone ring, it is more powerful than the openback "folk" banjos of the time but not as bright as a full Mastertone. This particular banjo dates to 1957, when 167 were shipped from Kalamazoo -- but how many left-handed ones (if any others at all!) is unknown.
With an unbound dot inlaid fingerboard and single-bound sunburst resonator, the RB-100 is a fairly austere instrument but classically Gibson in looks. It has a more rounded and mellow tone than a flat-head Mastertone, but still plenty of volume. This model is a good choice for upbeat old-time picking and bluegrass at polite levels! This is an excellent player and a good all-around vintage Gibson banjo, but a possible once-in-a-lifetime find for the southpaw player!
Overall length is 37 1/2 in. (95.2 cm.), 11 in. (27.9 cm.) diameter head, and 3 1/4 in. (8.3 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 26 1/2 in. (673 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/16 in. (30 mm.).
Very clean overall; there is just a little wear overall and the only repair is one filled chip to the resonator top edge about 3" from the neck. All original except for the 5th string peg and a newer head and bridge; the tailpiece shows some collapse (these are fairly cheaply produced stamped metal) but is still functional. Considering its extreme rarity, this instrument remains in exceptionally good condition, and plays and sounds as it should. Includes a more recent HSC. Excellent - Condition.
Here's something we REALLY hardly ever see -- a left-handed 5-string Gibson banjo! While Gibson was usually amenable to custom orders for southpaw instruments, they appear to have hardly ever built 5-strings in this configuration. The model is the RB-100, which was the company's standard "no-frills" midline banjo in the 1950s and '60s. With a full resonator and flange but a simple brass tone ring, it is more powerful than the openback "folk" banjos of the time but not as bright as a full Mastertone. This particular banjo dates to 1957, when 167 were shipped from Kalamazoo -- but how many left-handed ones (if any others at all!) is unknown.
With an unbound dot inlaid fingerboard and single-bound sunburst resonator, the RB-100 is a fairly austere instrument but classically Gibson in looks. It has a more rounded and mellow tone than a flat-head Mastertone, but still plenty of volume. This model is a good choice for upbeat old-time picking and bluegrass at polite levels! This is an excellent player and a good all-around vintage Gibson banjo, but a possible once-in-a-lifetime find for the southpaw player!
Overall length is 37 1/2 in. (95.2 cm.), 11 in. (27.9 cm.) diameter head, and 3 1/4 in. (8.3 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 26 1/2 in. (673 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/16 in. (30 mm.).
Very clean overall; there is just a little wear overall and the only repair is one filled chip to the resonator top edge about 3" from the neck. All original except for the 5th string peg and a newer head and bridge; the tailpiece shows some collapse (these are fairly cheaply produced stamped metal) but is still functional. Considering its extreme rarity, this instrument remains in exceptionally good condition, and plays and sounds as it should. Includes a more recent HSC. Excellent - Condition.