Labern - Posted - 02/17/2013:  23:55:23

Hi

Im looking at buying a Huber VRB-75 with a straight grain maple neck, apparently the maple is brighter than the mahogany. Im from New Zealand and there are none here that i can try. can anyone tell me there opinion on the sound and feel.

thanks

tbfnyc - Posted - 02/18/2013:  00:53:22

quote:

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Originally posted by Labern

apparently the maple is brighter than the mahogany.

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That's true, but is that what you want?. Mahogany is mellower and "woodier" and some people, myself included, prefer that.

Labern - Posted - 02/18/2013:  01:07:33

quote:

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Originally posted by tbfnyc

quote:

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Originally posted by Labern

apparently the maple is brighter than the mahogany.

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That's true, but is that what you want?. Mahogany is mellower and "woodier" and some people, myself included, prefer that.

 

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 Well I kind of like both but thats why im asking here to see if there is much of a difference. or If its to bright. Huber will have one available when I go to the USA but if I wanted a mahogany one then it would only be available after I get back and I will have to pay shipping and tax etc..

BobbyE - Posted - 02/18/2013:  03:22:09

In your situation I would try out the maple that is available and if you like it, buy it.  They are great banjos.  Also, if you are personally at Huber's place, I am sure he can work with you on setting up the banjo to sound the way you want it to, or at least getting you to a happy medium between the two woods.  There are differences in woods, but both woods make a fine banjo IMO.

Bobby 

banjoman56 - Posted - 02/18/2013:  04:13:51

The bluegrass sound was invented on a maple banjo. Earl, Sonny and J.D. all played maple banjos. They're wonderful. :)

lightgauge - Posted - 02/18/2013:  04:32:03

Earl and Sonny, yes. While he probably played them all, I associate J.D. with the mahogany sound of his RB75.

Play the maple and see what you think. Hubers are usually deep sounding banjos and the straight grain maple may please your ear.

Nick Danger - Posted - 02/18/2013:  05:34:43

I own a Huber VRB-75-41 (a circa 1941 version of the RB-75 Mastertone banjo) with a maple neck and mahogany resonator (the way the two woods are finished, it's VERY hard to tell which is which).  Anyway, I LOVE this instrument: the sound is VERY powerful and the whole banjo plays like butter -- very effortless to pull great tone of out it. 

The neck is EXTREMELY comfortable: nice and thin and not 'clubby' feeling if that makes any sense. It's also VERY easy for me to get my thumb around the neck to fret the fifth string when needed (not many banjos I've played accommodate this need as well as my Huber).  The fingerboard inlays on my banjo, which sport the 'Leaves & Bows' pattern, are cut somewhat irregularly (just like the original RB-75s of that era) but that only adds to the charm and warmth of this instrument. 

The hardware is nickel-plated and finished (dulled) to look like it has aged for a half century.  The wood finish also had a yellow toner added to it to further enhance the aged look of the instrument.  This is by no means a sterile-looking banjo like so many new instruments are prone to, and it's probably THE closest you can get to owning an early-1940s Mastertone without the five-figure price tag and 70 years of greasy playing wear. 

You can view my VRB-75-41 in the photo section of my Banjo Hangout homepage.  Hope this description helps.

plunka5 - Posted - 02/18/2013:  05:40:32

Very nice Huber Nick!  I have an HR-30 ring on an old rim that I am very happy with as well!

jeff stovall - Posted - 02/18/2013:  05:43:02

I have a 2003 Huber Lancaster with a mahogany neck and a 1981 Gold Star JD20.  To me, the maple is not necessarily brighter, but you have a more focused fundamental note with less overtones.  The tighter, more focused note clarity could probably be described as brighter, but you certainly don't sacrifice bass tone with a maple banjo.  The maple is just as strong in the bass tones, but the notes are tighter.  I like them both, but I have been thinking of getting Steve Huber to build me a maple neck for my Lancaster - just to try it.  Based on the differences I hear in the Huber vs. the Gold Star, I think I would like it.

double E - Posted - 02/18/2013:  12:41:53

I have the VRB Mahogany, the MP3 listed here are of it when it was basically brand new. It has opened up a lot and in my opinion sounds even better now than it did then. A buddy of mine has a VRB Maple and its a killer banjo for a new one. I really like both of them and don't think you will be unhappy with either. Huber is building one of the best banjos on the market today. Quality work and quality sound. As for the difference I think the other guys here summed it up pretty well. The maple is maybe a little brighter, but more focused was a good word to describe it. I describe my mahogany as warmer sounding also.

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