lethegoodtimesroll - Posted - 03/24/2012:  00:07:13

Which Banjo do you think has that classic Mahogany RB-75 tone. The Gibson Crowe models or the Huber Lancaster?

tbfnyc - Posted - 03/24/2012:  00:12:02

Why "or"? I think the Gibson Crowe models (Blackjack included) AND the Lancaster AND the Huber Jim Mills all have the classic mahogany tone.

plunka5 - Posted - 03/24/2012:  03:53:08

Both banjos are fully capable that's for sure.  Great set-up, solid right hand, all contribute as well.  Just comes down to esthetics after that...

Matter of fact....why not have a little of both:

banjohangout.org/classified/27664

Edited by - plunka5 on 03/24/2012 03:57:58

DrBob - Posted - 03/24/2012:  04:59:11

I LOVE my Huber...but I've never played that particular Gibson model. I'll just have to say that more and more folks are gettin' Hubers because they're probably as close as you'll ever get to a pre-war...sweeeeeeet! :-)

owlcreekdan - Posted - 03/24/2012:  05:46:28

the huber. steves banjo are amazing

Ebanjo - Posted - 03/24/2012:  05:59:06

Chris, Either banjo will do the trick with the right set-up. I've played both and they are both fine banjos. And that Jim Mills model is right there with them.
Eric Ellis

Lester Crowe - Posted - 03/24/2012:  07:51:36

I have a 2002 Huber Lancaster and a 1997 Gibson RB-75 Crowe. With similar set-ups the Gibson is a little "sweeter", the Huber has more crack. Both sound and play great it's just personal preference. Let me add this, I have a Rich & Taylor JD Crowe with the 10-hole Kulesh ring and a 1981 Goldstar that are also very good mahogany banjos. IMO they are in the same league with the Huber and the Gibson at a fraction of the price.   

Lester

Edited by - Lester Crowe on 03/24/2012 07:52:36

Barnet in SoCal - Posted - 03/24/2012:  08:42:20

As everyone says, at that level of banjo it comes down to the individual instrument with its best set-up, and of course the set-up is a matter of personal preference. So on one hand you need to play the individual instrument to find out. On the other hand it's really hard to go wrong at that level, so you can just look for the best deal and figure on getting a great instrument. And I agree with Lester above that a Rich 'n' Taylor and certain Goldstars -- basically '79, '80, '81 -- are also great instruments. Just ask Tom Adams about them Goldstars....

Vapor - Posted - 03/24/2012:  21:36:24

There are several great banjo builders building mahogany banjos. Try some out and pick the one that you like the sound of the most.