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Gibson RB-3 Standard
submitted 11/5/2009
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Submitter |
Brian |
Where Purchased |
Private Party |
Year Purchased |
2009 |
Price Paid |
1549 ($US) (bought USED) |
Sound
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This banjo was made in May of 1993. It is my second, high quality mahogany banjo. It sounds a lot like the Hatfield I used to have. It is bright and hollow with a very nice growl. Once you've owned a banjo in each of the 3 main woods, you can really tell what each has to offer. I think mahogany is the best all around sounding banjo. This one sounds incredible! |
Sound Rating |
9 |
Setup
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The set up was fine. I tore it apart and made a slight adjustment to the tone ring fit. The neck fit is perfect and the banjo notes true up the neck. |
Setup Rating |
8 |
Appearance
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This banjo has been played A LOT!! It has a massive belt buckle rash on the back side of the resonator. The neck has had some filler applied to gouges on several frets. I'm going to mark the appearance low but it is actually one of the reasons that I love this banjo. It's got a lot of character! |
Appearance Rating |
6 |
Reliability
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Hardware is standard Gibson. High quality with no worries. The binding has yellowed. The headstock inlays have also yellowed. |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
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N/A |
Customer Service |
not rated |
Components
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All parts are great! It has a maple rim with Kulesh ring. The neck is impressive given the obvious amount of play time it's had. |
Components Rating |
9 |
Overall Comments
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As I said, this banjo reminds me of a Hatfield Buck Creek that I once had. It has a great open and bright sound with lots of sparkle. I love the inlay pattern which I think is called standard. It's a 1993 which is from the coveted Greg Rich era. Is it all hype? Not from what I can see! Try one, you'll like it!! |
Overall Rating |
9 |
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Fender Deluxe
submitted 10/22/2008
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Submitter |
Brian |
Where Purchased |
Hugo Helmer |
Year Purchased |
2008 |
Price Paid |
399 ($US) (bought USED) |
Sound
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I was surprised! It's a decent sounding banjo. I enjoy playing it. Certainly a bit on the harsh side but it has some nice tonal qualities. |
Sound Rating |
7 |
Setup
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I tore it apart and pulled off the ring. I sanded the rim until the ring slipped on and off easily. I also made sure that there was a slight bit of relief between the rim and the inner leg of the ring. There was one tiny bit of buzzing on the 4th string at the 5th fret. Plays very easily, stays in tune and notes true. |
Setup Rating |
7 |
Appearance
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It's not my ideal banjo. I don't like how fat it is from the back of the resonator to the top of the head. The sunburst finish belongs on a Les Paul. The inlays are an embarrasment! The ones on the head stock are very badly aligned! The ones on the neck show filler to cover the poorly cut fret board. It's not horrible, at least it has the classic Gibson looking flange. |
Appearance Rating |
5 |
Reliability
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Tail piece appears to be total junk! I wish it had Gotoh's. If I had to guess, I'd say these would be the problem areas. |
Reliability Rating |
6 |
Customer Service
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N/A |
Customer Service |
not rated |
Components
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Tail piece and tuners are suspect. |
Components Rating |
5 |
Overall Comments
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I enjoy playing this banjo! I like the way it sounds and I can sleep at night knowing it didn't cost me an arm and a leg. With a Presto tail piece and some Gotoh tuners it'll be just fine! : ) |
Overall Rating |
6 |
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Osborne Chief #87 Nickel Hardware
submitted 10/27/2006
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Submitter |
Brian |
Where Purchased |
Private owner |
Year Purchased |
2005 |
Price Paid |
(Trade) (bought USED)
historic exchange rates / currency converter
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Sound
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I traded an 03 Stelling Master Flower for this banjo. The reason I did that was tone. I wanted more of a traditional, Gibson tone. This banjo has that!! It is dry and hollow. |
Sound Rating |
10 |
Setup
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For my taste, this banjo needs a tight head, and from what I've read, many others feel the same way. Occasionally, the sound will slip off a little which tells me it's time to snug up the head a little. I don't know what it would tap tune to but would guess it to be G sharp or A minor. It's pretty tight!
I loosened the coordinator rods to neutral. Minimal pressure on the pot. The action at the 12th is 3/16".
This banjo was ordered without a "speed neck" so I removed the finish from the back of the neck myself after consulting Leon Neat. It was easy to do and there have been no ill affects, i.e., twisting or warping.
This banjo was custom ordered by the original owner with nickel hardware. At one point, I was going to have all of it plated in gold. After talking to Sonny Osborne a little via this website, I decided to just change out the ring for a gold one as this is the part that has the most affect on tone. The banjo now has a gold Blaylock ring but all the other hardware is nickel.
When I first received the banjo, I completely took it apart. I found the ring to be a pretty tight fit to the rim so I took it off and sanded the rim down carefully. This opened the banjo up considerably! When I switched out the ring for a gold one, the gold one was a tad bigger than the original nickel and so the ring to rim fit now is VERY loose.
This banjo has a fairly heavy (2.3g) Kat Eyz bridge. |
Setup Rating |
9 |
Appearance
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No banjo can compare to a Geoff Stelling creation and this one is no different.
Aesthetically speaking, the banjo is gorgeous! Hearts and flower inlay, rosewood finger board and an absolutely beautiful sunburst resonator with stunning maple flame! |
Appearance Rating |
8 |
Reliability
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This is a top of the line instrument and has no reliabilty issues what so ever. |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
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I received this banjo second hand. I have, however, spoken with Sonny (via the Hangout) as well as Frank and Leon Neat (via email and telephone) and they have been most helpful with any questions I've had. |
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
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I love the Neat neck! I love the sound of the Blaylock ring! |
Components Rating |
10 |
Overall Comments
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I am very fond of this banjo and will probably have it for quite awhile. |
Overall Rating |
9 |
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Stelling Master Flower
submitted 5/20/2005
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Submitter |
Brian |
Where Purchased |
Turtle Hill Banjo Co. |
Year Purchased |
2004 |
Price Paid |
3600 ($US) |
Sound
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Where do I start? This thing's larger than life! Rich and full doesn't even scratch the surface. Mellow with cut, loud and boisterous, crisp and clear, brash, stark, in your face. I think it'd do whatever a player wanted it to. Like taming a doberman! |
Sound Rating |
8 |
Setup
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Great setup when delivered. I did take a little bit of relief out of the neck. |
Setup Rating |
10 |
Appearance
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This banjo is a work of art. Beautiful bound peghead, concentric rings on the resonator, wonderflully grained walnut, ebony board. The only flaw I found was a very, very faint, perfectly straight line in the peghead that you literally have to be 4" away from to notice. As perfect as humanly possible. If you aren't happy with this workmanship, you can't be satisfied. |
Appearance Rating |
10 |
Reliability
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Of course, top notch! I play this banjo hard and have a heavy fretting hand. There's probably 300-400 hrs on her and fret wear is very minimal. If I can't break it, it's probably indestructible! |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
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Dave and Geoff have both been great to work with and have answered many questions since I've had this banjo. No repairs have been necessary. |
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
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Nothing weak or cheap about a Stelling. I did put a Kat Eyz bridge on that mellowed the tone a bit. |
Components Rating |
10 |
Overall Comments
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A very, very, very powerful instrument. I was not prepared for it at first and at times find it frustrating. Gibson and Stelling aren't even on the same planet, they are apples and oranges when it comes to sound. I play every day and for the first 20 min. I can't seem to get what I want out of it. Then, all of a sudden, it seems to do an about face. I can't explain it. When it gets to that point, I can't put it down, it just keeps getting better and better. |
Overall Rating |
9 |
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Hatfield Buck Creek
submitted 5/24/2003
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Submitter |
Brian |
Where Purchased |
Arthur Hatfield, Glasgow, KY |
Year Purchased |
2003 |
Price Paid |
$1,950
historic exchange rates / currency converter
|
Sound
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This banjo is perfect for Scruggs style picking. Loud and sweet with a growl in the 4th string. She's still getting broke in and is getting better and better. With Arthur Hatfield's set up (tone ring fit) and a Huber ring it's a guaranteed winner. |
Sound Rating |
9 |
Setup
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Banjo was set up by the builder, Arthur Hatfield. He knows how to get the best sound out of his banjos. The action is about 3/16". The tension hoop on this banjo is not even off the head all the way around. I rises up a little by the neck. I do not know the affect this has on the sound. Both spikes were installed too deep to allow the string to go under them. |
Setup Rating |
8 |
Appearance
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A beautiful hand made mahoganey neck by Arthur Hatfield. Very beautiful and unique inlay pattern on an unfinished rosewood board. Soothing, golden mahoganey resonator. Not 100% perfect. There was some excess stain on the neck binding, and a crooked resonator screw. |
Appearance Rating |
8 |
Reliability
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I fully expect this banjo to last a life-time. There is nothing about it that would lead me to believe otherwise. Very solid, quality through out.
Update: A couple frets came unseated on the neck. |
Reliability Rating |
9 |
Customer Service
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It was a pleasure dealing with Arthur as this banjo came to be. His integrity speaks for itself. Highest of rating.
Update: Customer service has been above and beyond! It is a great feeling to be able to call the person who made your banjo and get some feed back. Arthur has been exemplary in this regard! |
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
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Handmade Arthur Hatfield mahoganey neck, Huber Flathead tone ring, Cox maple rim and mahoganey resonator, Presto tail piece, Gotoh tuners and a one piece Gibson style flange. All metal parts nickel plated. |
Components Rating |
9 |
Overall Comments
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What an honor to own one of Arthur Hatfield's banjos. With a handmade neck and Huber Flathead there's no mistaking this instruments intent, a solid work horse made for playing and lot's of it. Thank you Arthur, for making a dream come true!
There are a lot of banjos out there in the 2k dollar range. If your looking for a Huber/Gibson sound with excellent service, this is the one! If your looking for a model of perfection, buy a Stelling. |
Overall Rating |
8 |
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