pjxndvm - Posted - 11/17/2011:  10:25:31

Mandolin Bros has a 1994 RB4: mandoweb.com/Instruments/Gibso...1915.aspx

Price seems high from what I have been reading, but I am interested in a high end Gibson. Some of the people have commented that the RB 4 reissues were killer banjos. What would be a fair price? From what I have read here, old posts say ~2300ish, plus or minus.

Pete

plunka5 - Posted - 11/17/2011:  10:33:30

They are beautiful instruments, and that is a great vintage year.  Mandolin Bros. are known for getting a premium on their instruments.  If there are not that many around, then the market will decide if it is high, low, or just about right.  I personally would not give that much for an RB-4 without trying it first.  Good luck with your search!

beegee - Posted - 11/17/2011:  11:14:45

There's a 2004 RB-4 on ebay right now for $2740, but it has the plain resonator. $3995 doesn't sound outrageous for a 1994 RB-4. I think $3200 would be my top offer if I really, really, really wanted it.

Goldstarman - Posted - 11/17/2011:  11:57:56

whew, I would think 2500 in this time period....for the prices your talking you could get a Granada or a TT used

Goldstarman - Posted - 11/17/2011:  11:57:56

whew, I would think 2500 in this time period....for the prices your talking you could get a Granada or a TT used

beegee - Posted - 11/17/2011:  12:23:11

quote:

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Originally posted by Goldstarman

whew, I would think 2500 in this time period....for the prices your talking you could get a Granada or a TT used

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Where?

The Old Timer - Posted - 11/17/2011:  12:38:26

I think a more realistic price point would be just under $3000 in today's market. They are good banjos, but you'd need to play it first or try it on approval to be sure.

Make Mando Bros. an offer, they're businessmen. They're not in love with all of their inventory.

2many5s - Posted - 11/17/2011:  13:08:32

How about this 1991 RB-4 in the BHO Classifieds for $3,000?

banjohangout.org/classified/22845

Edited by - 2many5s on 11/17/2011 13:09:34

Goldstarman - Posted - 11/17/2011:  14:19:06

Gruhn has a Rb-7 for 3K......I know where there are granadas for 3200-3500....so 3250 is high for a 4

Goldstarman - Posted - 11/17/2011:  14:27:14

And at 4K you could buy a newish Granada...there was one for sale at 3600, its expired but still available. You could by all kinds of things. You could buy a ESS gibson and a rb-3 for that

quote:

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Originally posted by beegee

quote:

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Originally posted by Goldstarman

whew, I would think 2500 in this time period....for the prices your talking you could get a Granada or a TT used

---

Where?

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KyletheGreat - Posted - 11/18/2011:  06:36:46

I bought one Brand NEW for $3200...and it IS a KILLER banjo...I've always loved the RB-4, and when I found the one I bought, I couldn't pass it up. $3000-$3400 is fair dealers price for a new one. A used one should hold it's value pretty well, and at least bring $3,000.

Their price is a little steep ;) ...BUT...then again...the RB-4 has been retired and is no longer being made...so their values should start rising eventually...not right now though because you can still see them going around.

gospelman97 - Posted - 11/18/2011:  06:57:31

RB-3's are going for around $2,000 and Blackjacks for around $3,000.  I would think a good purchase price would be around $2500.  I missed one on Craiglist the other day for $1200.

pjxndvm - Posted - 11/18/2011:  09:08:23

Thanks for the replies, I am a bit hesitant to purchase sight unseen. That is the only thing I am concerned about. I was kind of shopping for the elusive "holy grail banjo" we all seek, so I kind of had in mind I would like to play a Rich Era Granada or RB4. Then there are Sullivan and Hatfield banjos to consider. Too many banjos, too many choices.

2many5s - Posted - 11/18/2011:  09:27:03

If you negotiate an approval period with the seller, you aren't buying sight unseen.

Jim1 - Posted - 11/18/2011:  09:27:42

I have been looking for one also and found the Rich era 4's
To be close to 3000. I have a Chief that I think I'm going to
Eventually tried and trade for one. I have found a few cheap on
eBay but I'm afraid of eBay, I would want to find one on the hangout

KyletheGreat - Posted - 11/18/2011:  12:42:48

there's not too much to be afraid of with ebay...as long as you get enough pictures to see what you're getting into...

I've purchased a Rich era grenada (with gold sparkle binding through Gibson Custom Shop) off ebay, my 1981 Ome XXX off ebay, my Gold Tone White Layde, came through ebay as well.

My 24 fret Hartford was purchased over the internet and shipped to me also...however not through ebay. I've been MORE than satisfied with every single one of them. Banjos aren't like guitars...they have a lot more room to play with in order to change and or improve the sound. Needless to say...I don't have too much of a problem with buying sight unseen if necessary, as long as the item is in great shape. But of course we'd all love to see what we're getting whenever possible!

The Old Timer - Posted - 11/18/2011:  13:34:30

There are tips and skills to buying instruments on EBay. I've done it a couple of times and been happy.

You must email and then phone the seller repeatedly and have repeat conversations about "this and that" to get a measure of the seller. Pry for all kinds of information just to see how they respond. Ask for the world, sometimes they'll give you something! I bought a banjo after talking to the guy on the phone so much about it that he volunteered to send it to me to examine BEFORE I sent the check! (I kept the banjo and sent the check.) Avoid EBay deals with no right of return. Ask the seller for references! See if you both know a third party you both trust. See if there's an in between spot where you can come to see it (I worked with a seller who agreed to meet me at any airport to inspect his offering). Ask repeatedly for photos with ever-differing views (this insures the seller really has the banjo in hand to photgraph!)

It's not that the answers to all these questions and challenges have to be "yes", but you get the measure of a person but having this much extended conversation. A fair-minded seller will usually do all they can to make you feel comfortable. You may even find out that they're not banjo know-it-alls, and find out that they're great people who want to make YOU comfortable if they can.

The sellers who won't even talk to you this way, avoid them, life is too short for regrets. I don't look twice at EBay instruments that say "no returns".

One other note, PayPal is tricky about large amounts of money. They told me over $2000 I have to give them my bank account numbers for electronic access! I told them to stick it and sent postal money orders instead.

You might try buying a few relatively cheap things on EBay first, to build your confidence. I bought a nice old gold plated Waverly tailpiece for my parts box, as a trial order. Went fine.