Gibson RB-100 5 String Resonator Banjo (1969)
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Item # 9414
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Gibson RB-100 Model 5 String Resonator Banjo (1969), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 558761, sunburst lacquer finish, laminated maple resonator and rim, mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case.
The relatively plain looking RB-100 was Gibson's midline banjo model in the 1950's and 60's. With a full Mastertone style resonator and flange but a plain brass tone ring, it is more powerful than the openback "folk" banjos popular at the time, but not as bright as a full Mastertone. This particular banjo dates to 1969, a year when 329 were shipped from Kalamazoo. This model would have been the prime choice in a 5-string banjo for someone interested in getting into Bluegrass but without the means to acquire a full-fledged Gibson Mastertone.
With an unbound dot inlaid neck and single bound sunburst resonator, the RB-100 is fairly austere instrument but classically Gibson in looks. It employs the standard double co-ordinator rod system and is fitted with geared pegs and a fully adjustable tailpiece. This one still has the older 1950's style peghead, replaced a year or so later with a re-introduced version of the 1920's "Fiddle Head". It offers a more rounded and mellow tone than a flat-head Mastertone, and so makes an excellent choice for upbeat old-time picking and bluegrass at polite volume levels! This is a very clean example, a very nice player and a fine all-around vintage Gibson banjo.
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.).
This banjo remains in lovely all-original condition, complete in the original hard case with a passel of paperwork included. It shows some very light handling wear but does not appear to have been played much over the past 50 years. Aside from some small scuffs this banjo looks practically new, and still plays perfectly. There is a bit of corrosion on the co-ordinator rod, but this is not visible from the outside.
The head is a more modern Remo with a few scuff marks but an old head marked "Original" is included that looks to still be in decent shape, along with the original bridge that has a chip on the ebony top. Paperwork still in the case includes the unfilled warranty hangtag, "Quality Seal of Approval" hangtag with inspector Jim Farrell's stamp and a shipment tag indicating the instrument left Kalamazoo on May 13, 1969. The case has a bit of wear but really 50+ year old instruments don't come much better than this. Excellent Condition.
The relatively plain looking RB-100 was Gibson's midline banjo model in the 1950's and 60's. With a full Mastertone style resonator and flange but a plain brass tone ring, it is more powerful than the openback "folk" banjos popular at the time, but not as bright as a full Mastertone. This particular banjo dates to 1969, a year when 329 were shipped from Kalamazoo. This model would have been the prime choice in a 5-string banjo for someone interested in getting into Bluegrass but without the means to acquire a full-fledged Gibson Mastertone.
With an unbound dot inlaid neck and single bound sunburst resonator, the RB-100 is fairly austere instrument but classically Gibson in looks. It employs the standard double co-ordinator rod system and is fitted with geared pegs and a fully adjustable tailpiece. This one still has the older 1950's style peghead, replaced a year or so later with a re-introduced version of the 1920's "Fiddle Head". It offers a more rounded and mellow tone than a flat-head Mastertone, and so makes an excellent choice for upbeat old-time picking and bluegrass at polite volume levels! This is a very clean example, a very nice player and a fine all-around vintage Gibson banjo.
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.).
This banjo remains in lovely all-original condition, complete in the original hard case with a passel of paperwork included. It shows some very light handling wear but does not appear to have been played much over the past 50 years. Aside from some small scuffs this banjo looks practically new, and still plays perfectly. There is a bit of corrosion on the co-ordinator rod, but this is not visible from the outside.
The head is a more modern Remo with a few scuff marks but an old head marked "Original" is included that looks to still be in decent shape, along with the original bridge that has a chip on the ebony top. Paperwork still in the case includes the unfilled warranty hangtag, "Quality Seal of Approval" hangtag with inspector Jim Farrell's stamp and a shipment tag indicating the instrument left Kalamazoo on May 13, 1969. The case has a bit of wear but really 50+ year old instruments don't come much better than this. Excellent Condition.