I have a chance to pick up a 1996 RB-4 (Re-Issue?) all original from the original owner ( Original Tags and Sales Receipt) . Banjo needs a good cleaning and has a few dings but nothing I would consider major. I would place the condition at an 8.5 out of 10. It appears to be Walnut with 2 calico looking concentric rings on the resonator and a Flying Eagle neck inlay (First 5 frets are a little worn but no buzzes). I have the Banjo for the next week and a half. I only have a cell phone camera so when the suns out tomorrow I will take a few pictures to post. It has Schaller D-Tuners but the Original 2nd and 3rd string pegs are in the case pocket. I love the sound of this Banjo but I want to get it for the best price possible considering where the market is right now and I have never owned a Walnut Banjo, is the Neck Walnut as well?

All help is appreciated as I am clueless about this Model Gibson, first one I've seen up close.

Gibson RB-4 banjos built during this era were walnut, neck and resonator, coupled with chrome metal parts.  Chrome parts, according to some, imparts a distinct tone to the banjo.  Personally, I've always like the RB-4.  As to price I'd offer $2700 with a reserve of no more than $3100.  If you can get if for less than $2700 count yourself fortunate.

Tom

Well, I have a "walnut" on the way. However it is a maple rim. The walnut is the resonator and the neck. I guess there are some "walnut" banjos out there with walnut rims, but I don't know the who or the where. With all the noodlers out there, there is one of everything you can think of. I do know that even Jimmy Cox has a price on walnut rims. Higher than maple, and I am not sure the reason behind that. So it is considered rim material. With walnut having the repuation of being softer and sweeter sounding than maple, perhaps too much of a good thing becomes a not-so-good thing. I believe that was the reasoning behind the one I bought.

I have a 2003 that has walnut neck and walnut burl reso with all nickel hardware.The only thing that has changed is the tone ring  I installed a 75 ring.It has a 3 ply maple rim ,I believe Gibson used Cooperman at the time. 

Edited by - Old Man on 01/29/2012 16:37:57

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Originally posted by kmwaters

Well, I have a "walnut" on the way. However it is a maple rim. The walnut is the resonator and the neck. I guess there are some "walnut" banjos out there with walnut rims, but I don't know the who or the where. With all the noodlers out there, there is one of everything you can think of. I do know that even Jimmy Cox has a price on walnut rims. Higher than maple, and I am not sure the reason behind that. So it is considered rim material. With walnut having the repuation of being softer and sweeter sounding than maple, perhaps too much of a good thing becomes a not-so-good thing. I believe that was the reasoning behind the one I bought.

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Kenneth, most Mastertone style banjos have a maple rim.  Doesn't matter if they've got a maple, walnut or mahogany neck.  The neck wood will impact the tone; so, to an extent, will the fingerboard wood.  The resonator wood will NOT affect tone, in that it's a veneer fractions of an inch thick.

The idea of a "walnut" or "maple" or "mahogany" banjo generally refers to the neck wood, not the rim.  Rims made of other woods are the exception, rather than the rule; there ARE banjos with rims of these woods that are quite celebrated by their owners.  I've played a few, and understand why their owners are proud of them.

Tom, Thanks,  The Banjo belongs to a long time family friend and he tells me he is too old to play anymore (87) and wanted to give me first refusal although he basically told me to just hang on to it and see if I like it. I doubt if he would let me give him that much for it because he really doesn't need the money and I am the closest thing he has to family but I also want to be fair about it. It definitely has a different sound than my RB-250 not better just different and it's quite a bit fancier, I think I'm starting to like it.

Thanks guys for all the other information too...

I'd buy that baby.

OK,  I succumbed to the evil BAS and bought the RB4. After spending 3 or 4 hours playing it last night and this afternoon I decided to make an offer which was accepted. Now I just need to find a place to hide it 

Here's a few pictures, please excuse the lousy cell phone camera but it's all I got.

4's....NOW THATS WHAT I'M TALKIN ABOUT!!!!

Best of the best. Looks like you got a peach.

Welcome to the 4 club!!

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Originally posted by lazyarcher

4's....NOW THATS WHAT I'M TALKIN ABOUT!!!!

Best of the best. Looks like you got a peach.

Welcome to the 4 club!!

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I just need to clean it up and put a Remo head on it and all will be well. One thing I noticed is that damn thing is loud! It blows my RB-250 away and the Walnut is very nice to look at. All in All I'm very happy with it, I think it's a definite keeper.

Whoa -- good for you, wonderful purchase! I'm addicted to tinkering with my 4, can I ask about how you like the bridge on yours?

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Originally posted by jswkingsfield

Whoa -- good for you, wonderful purchase! I'm addicted to tinkering with my 4, can I ask about how you like the bridge on yours?

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Its the first compensated bridge I've ever played and the jury is still out on it. I have a nice Sullivan old growth that will most likely find a home on it. It sounds a little muffled right now but I think that's the 5 star head (never liked them) so once I put a nice frosted Remo on her if it doesn't wake it up a bit I will change the bridge. I tinker with all my Banjos and Mandolins too come to think of it.

Thanks much, I'd been mulling whether to try a compensated bridge on mine, or maybe try a heavier tailpiece. Mike Smith of Kay Eyz made me a pegged Prowler bridge from McCommick spice factory wood, which really upped the sound without sacrificing the sustain.

Update, I swapped the Fults Tailpiece out for a much heavier 2 hump clamshell (that spring loaded door is dangerous) Presto that I picked up from FQMS 5 or 6 years ago. Put a new frosted Remo head on and got it set to 91 on the Drum Dial (G# ?) a new set of Elixer Medium strings and 5 hours of cleaning and polishing. Man this Banjo looks good and sounds outstanding, I think I have a new #1. Since I have never heard a walnut Banjo played I didn't know what to expect but if you ever have a chance to pickup a RB-4 from the 90s jump on it they kick butt. 

The bridge appears to be on backwards.  The compensation should be toward the tailpiece.

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Originally posted by PD Kirby

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Originally posted by jswkingsfield

Whoa -- good for you, wonderful purchase! I'm addicted to tinkering with my 4, can I ask about how you like the bridge on yours?

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Its the first compensated bridge I've ever played and the jury is still out on it. I have a nice Sullivan old growth that will most likely find a home on it. It sounds a little muffled right now but I think that's the 5 star head (never liked them) so once I put a nice frosted Remo on her if it doesn't wake it up a bit I will change the bridge. I tinker with all my Banjos and Mandolins too come to think of it.

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Will is right, the bridge does appear to be on upside down.

What a lovely banjo though, many congrats, i'd LOVE a 4.
 

Edited by - country frank on 02/02/2012 06:23:38

That's a great looking resonator! I love the binding.

Those pictures were taken the way I got it, no wonder I didn't like it. I put a Sullivan on it the night after I got it and it sounded much better. I think the compensated bridges look funny anyway and besides, Earl doesn't use one...

"I think the compensated bridges look funny anyway and besides, Earl doesn't use one..."

Try one of Arthur Hatfield's compensated bridges. He'll make them any height or weight you need. Best $22 you'll ever spend!

Even Earl didn't get _everything_ right! (ducking and running)

- John

I have an original RB4 about 1990...got it from the Fret Mill in Roanoke VA. Looks like yours...beautiful burl walnut. About 5 years ago I exchanged the wood rim with an old floor rim from Sullivan...that exchange took a good banjo to another level. Mine has a Kulesh tone ring.

You got a great banjo...enjoy it.

Here is another welcome to the RB-4 club! Mine is a 1991 model that is totally unmolested (except for Keith tuners on 2 and 3). You are going to be really happy with that banjo!

Mike

I finally got the setup finalized last night. Over last weekend a very talented Luthier and fellow BHO member Sunburst did a re-fret on it and I finally hit the sweet spot with the head tension about 10 last night. The next thing I knew it was 3am, I couldn't put the thing down, Man what a great sounding Banjo. My 98 RB-250 is officially retired and will only be used as a backup.

Congrats PD, enjoy!