Gibson RB-100 5 String Resonator Banjo (1960)
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Gibson RB-100 Model 5 String Resonator Banjo (1960), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 0-4895-14, sunburst lacquer finish, laminated maple resonator and rim, mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, black hard shell case.
The relatively plain looking RB-100 was Gibson's midline banjo model in the 1950's and 60's. The model originally offered a full Mastertone style resonator and flange but only a plain brass tone ring, but the 1959 Gibson catalog listed it with a "raised tone chamber" i.e. a full Mastertone archtop tone ring, and here it is! This particular banjo dates to 1960, a year when 148 were shipped from Kalamazoo at a list price of $200 plus $40.50 for the hardshell case. This would have been the prime choice at the time in a 5-string banjo for someone interested in getting into Bluegrass but without the means to acquire a fancier more "Earl style" Mastertone.
With an unbound dot inlaid neck and single bound sunburst resonator, the RB-100 is fairly austere instrument but classically Gibsonic in looks. It employs a one-piece flange, single co-ordinator rod system, adjustable tailpiece and standard the 1950's style guitar-like peghead fitted with Grover geared pegs. The "no-hole" archtop tone ring adds some substantial weight to the rim and brings this previously darker sounding model closer to full bluegrass territory. Sonically it is more powerful than the openback "folk" banjos popular at the time, perhaps offering a less "Bluegrass perfect" tone than a flat-head Mastertone, but still in the ballpark. This model is still an excellent choice in a relatively budget-friendly genuine Gibson Mastertone, a very nice player and a fine all-around vintage original Gibson 5-string.
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 mostly original condition, complete in the original hard case. It shows some very light handling wear but with small dings, chips, scuffs and dents does not appear to have been played all that much over the past six decades. The neck appears to have been refretted with larger Gibson style wire long ago, and there are tiny scars on the top edge from the removal of a sliding 5th string capo, which is still in the case. The other hardware appears original, the non-geared 5th string peg has been remounted.
The head is a modern frosted Remo, the bridge is more recent as well. The plating shows only some minor wear, mostly as usual to the hooks. The case has a bit of wear but really for 65 years old this banjo is looking quite well! It plays excellent and sounds exactly as it should, a cool relic of the time when bluegrass was still a regional music style and not a religion! Overall Excellent - Condition.
The relatively plain looking RB-100 was Gibson's midline banjo model in the 1950's and 60's. The model originally offered a full Mastertone style resonator and flange but only a plain brass tone ring, but the 1959 Gibson catalog listed it with a "raised tone chamber" i.e. a full Mastertone archtop tone ring, and here it is! This particular banjo dates to 1960, a year when 148 were shipped from Kalamazoo at a list price of $200 plus $40.50 for the hardshell case. This would have been the prime choice at the time in a 5-string banjo for someone interested in getting into Bluegrass but without the means to acquire a fancier more "Earl style" Mastertone.
With an unbound dot inlaid neck and single bound sunburst resonator, the RB-100 is fairly austere instrument but classically Gibsonic in looks. It employs a one-piece flange, single co-ordinator rod system, adjustable tailpiece and standard the 1950's style guitar-like peghead fitted with Grover geared pegs. The "no-hole" archtop tone ring adds some substantial weight to the rim and brings this previously darker sounding model closer to full bluegrass territory. Sonically it is more powerful than the openback "folk" banjos popular at the time, perhaps offering a less "Bluegrass perfect" tone than a flat-head Mastertone, but still in the ballpark. This model is still an excellent choice in a relatively budget-friendly genuine Gibson Mastertone, a very nice player and a fine all-around vintage original Gibson 5-string.
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 mostly original condition, complete in the original hard case. It shows some very light handling wear but with small dings, chips, scuffs and dents does not appear to have been played all that much over the past six decades. The neck appears to have been refretted with larger Gibson style wire long ago, and there are tiny scars on the top edge from the removal of a sliding 5th string capo, which is still in the case. The other hardware appears original, the non-geared 5th string peg has been remounted.
The head is a modern frosted Remo, the bridge is more recent as well. The plating shows only some minor wear, mostly as usual to the hooks. The case has a bit of wear but really for 65 years old this banjo is looking quite well! It plays excellent and sounds exactly as it should, a cool relic of the time when bluegrass was still a regional music style and not a religion! Overall Excellent - Condition.