Tone Rings Kulesh "Big 10" Tone Ring
submitted 5/15/2009
|
Submitter |
swoody1 |
Where Purchased |
Janet Davis Music |
Overall Comments
|
Made a significant improvement in my 2002 Granada. It had a 20 hole Kulesh in it when I got it but I could not get the sound out of it that I wanted. Tried a Huber and did not like it either. |
Overall Rating |
10 |
|
Gibson RB-250
submitted 3/27/2009
|
Submitter |
swoody1 |
Where Purchased |
Opplemans Pawn Shop |
Year Purchased |
1978 |
Price Paid |
800.00 ($US) |
Sound
|
The RB250 is a 1977 bought new in 1978. The guy who ran Opplemans was a friend of mine and had a friend of his who owned a large music shop in NY. He got this friend to find the banjo for me. You had to be careful during the 70"s buying a Gibson. The banjo sounds great. Mellow where it needs to be and crisp where it needs to be. It is one of the best sounding RB250 banjos I have ever heard. Rich/full sound, loud and bright when it needs to be. |
Sound Rating |
10 |
Setup
|
I have tweeked the setup over the years. It had a good set up when I bought it in 1978. Since then, I have added a 11/16 timeless timber bridge with a neck adjustment, replaced the clamshell tail piece with a presto and replaced four tuners. I have had some of the frets replaced and a new nut put on. The action is excellent and it is very easy to play. |
Setup Rating |
not rated |
Appearance
|
It is in excellent condition. It has a mahogny neck and resonator which are in mint condition, two piece flange, ebony fingerboard and the standard enlay. I had an extra enlay added below the gibson block just to be different and in case it was stolen it would be easier to identify if someone scratched off the serial number. The tone ring has a small amount of pitting but looks good overall. The workmanship when I first bought the banjo was excedllent. |
Appearance Rating |
10 |
Reliability
|
It will last another 100 years and is very dependable. |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
|
The few times I have called Gibson they have been very helpful. |
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
|
All components are outstanding, no cheap parts. |
Components Rating |
10 |
Overall Comments
|
You can't buy one now for $800.00. I love the banjo and would not sell it. A friend of mine bought a used Blackjack that is a good sounding banjo. He was at my house two weeks ago and played all thre of my banjos. He offered to trade me the Blackjack even-up for the RB250 and he was very serious. He has wanted this banjo for years. |
Overall Rating |
10 |
|
|
|
|
Feeds