Bill-in-ME - Posted - 03/02/2011:  11:24:14

---

I just read an great article about the work that Steve Huber and Jim Rae did to quantify the mystical Gibson pre-war sound that many of us knew existed, but didn't know why. They obviously put much time and expense into this project and it sound like the results are going to pay off. If it were only to further their and our understanding of the dynamics of these coveted old Gibson banjos that would be one thing, but I had a chance to play some of the results of their effort at the IBMA last October and all I can say is, these instrument did not lack in any way.

We should all commend them for their effort. Great job...Bill Hayes

ambpicker - Posted - 03/02/2011:  12:54:09

---

I don't know Steve, have never spoken with him, but I believe him to be one of the important assetts to the banjo picking community we have with us today.

Bigbadbucksnort - Posted - 03/02/2011:  12:55:20

---

Where is this article at?

10cevol - Posted - 03/02/2011:  15:49:40

---

I read an article in Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine that covered the same topic.

AndyM - Posted - 03/02/2011:  16:32:32

---

It's in the March issue of Bluegrass Unlimited. I think they've unlocked the secret of the pre-war Gibson 5-string Mastertone banjo!

Bill-in-ME - Posted - 03/02/2011:  16:41:55

---

Sorry folks that I did not mention where the article was, but yes, it was the March issue of Bluegrass Unlimited. Old age is creeping up on me fast...Bill

Joe Spann - Posted - 03/02/2011:  17:50:50

---

Steve recently built me a V-RBG that is hands-down the best new banjo I've ever owned. It has the new engineered rim and the HR-30 tone ring. I'm extremely impressed.

Joe

thetexan - Posted - 03/02/2011:  22:56:57

---

Not too long ago I stopped by Banjo.com in Atlanta and spent a couple of hours in the banjo room. For those of you who have never met Mark Bramlett and the guys, there is a showroom that contains about 40 top of the line banjos from all the major brands running from about $4000 up to $10000 and above. The best of the best. I played them all. The $12000 Ome, Gibsons, all of them.

The banjo that outplayed them all was the $4500 Huber. I was amazed! Nothing in the room sounded like Steve's machine. I had to see it to believe it.

Not that I had anything against a Huber but I, like so many people, had a preconceived notion that expense equated to 'the perfect' sound. I expected the $8000 Gibson to sound fantastic and it did. Oh, how I wanted the Ome! If only I could someday have my dream Stelling!

Then I played that Huber. I will never forget the astonishment and mixed emotions I felt when I realized that the Stelling would have to get in line behind the Huber when I decided to buy. All these years I had my heart set on that Staghorn.

It might have been that particular instrument but I was really impressed. Of course, Mark is an expert at setups.

Steve makes a great banjo.

By the way, Banjo.com is a absolute must pilgrimage for anyone thinking about investing in a quality instrument. There is no better way to decide what to buy than to sit and compare the who's who of perfectly setup pedigree machines against each other in a acoustically perfect room. I would not spend over 2 grand on a banjo without first going there.

tex

---

Edited by - thetexan on 03/02/2011 23:01:59

lespik - Posted - 03/03/2011:  08:29:03

---

I haven't heard a Huber I didn't like, If only my wallet was a little deeper.

Bronx banjo - Posted - 03/03/2011:  16:04:18

---

I have 2 KK 10 conversions from the 1930s that Steve made the necks and installed the tone rings for. They are the best banjos I've ever owned and possibly the best I've played including some prewar flatheads. His knowledge and love for these instruments run deep. He knows what they are supposed to sound like and look like. I think Gibson should hand over their banjo production to him.

palmettopicker - Posted - 03/03/2011:  20:38:53

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by thetexan


By the way, Banjo.com is a absolute must pilgrimage for anyone thinking about investing in a quality instrument. There is no better way to decide what to buy than to sit and compare the who's who of perfectly setup pedigree machines against each other in a acoustically perfect room. I would not spend over 2 grand on a banjo without first going there.

tex

---

Ditto on that! Very welcoming place and an incredible array. I was clear with them that I was not looking to buy, and they still wanted me to relax, enjoy myself and pick some different instruments. Very nice guys.

iluvearl - Posted - 03/03/2011:  21:00:15

---

I was by Huber's shop today (Thursday) and they were putting the finishing touches on 6 new banjos; they all looked and sounded great! Would be a great time to go by and pick out the one you want!

dwalk - Posted - 03/04/2011:  18:33:39

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by iluvearl

I was by Huber's shop today (Thursday) and they were putting the finishing touches on 6 new banjos; they all looked and sounded great! Would be a great time to go by and pick out the one you want!

---

One of those might have been mine. I called Huber today and Jim told me mine is almost ready to pick up, probably in two weeks.
Its a VRB-G. I can't wait to pick it up.

---

Edited by - dwalk on 03/04/2011 18:35:23

Slick Salmon - Posted - 03/05/2011:  07:08:14

---

I love my Huber banjo and wouldn't trade it for anything pre-war. Incidently, I was at a banjo camp recently and attended a jam that included several of the instructors playing their pre-war Gibsons. But it was the guy playing the Huber who had the best tone in the room.