Markdc - Posted - 02/22/2014:  13:19:06

I was reviewing Hangout archives again for info on my 1991 RB1 Reissue. I discovered that mine has neck binding where as a rule they were issued without this feature. The banjo was imported to South Africa in 1991 by the father of the previous owner as a gift for him. I am absolutely certain that everything on the banjo is as it was delivered from Gibson.

So,the reason I was reviewing the archives was to help me make a decision as to whether or not to install a heavy tone ring. At face value the banjo is perfect for Mastertone conversion and I had more or less decided to go that way. It is beautiful (see the pics) but the discovery of the binding kinda complicates the issue. I seldom play this banjo because the tone just isn't the same as my Mastertone instruments. I am aware that it is already highly collectable by its rareness. The binding certainly adds to the collectable value.

So, do I install my tone ring and have a very beautiful Mastertone, possibly the way Gibson should have built it in the first place, or do I leave it as it is??????

Mark

P.S  Search "RB1 Reissue" . Quite a bit has been written on the subject

Nick Danger - Posted - 02/22/2014:  13:50:25

My advice: If you have a tonering PROFESSIONALLY installed from, say, the shops of Huber, Yates, or Hatfield, you might find yourself with an unassuming giant killer that will be worth much more in re-sale value than what you have in its current configuration. Your banjo is definitely a nice head-turner that can only get better with a high-quality tonering upgrade.



Good luck with your decision!

Edited by - Nick Danger on 02/22/2014 13:52:08

glsmi - Posted - 02/23/2014:  16:55:57

Leave it original be more valuable in the long run. What if you put a tone ring in it and it is disappointing? There are a lot of mastertones around but few RB1's.

Just my opinion.

That is a cool looking banjo has upscale black/white binding. I have always wanted one for the long gigs but unfortunately most have already had a tone ring added.

B

Edited by - glsmi on 02/23/2014 17:01:25

steve davis - Posted - 02/23/2014:  17:22:11

The only thing I demand from my banjos is that they sound the best that they can.
I wouldn't hesitate putting a 3 lb. ring in that.

glsmi - Posted - 02/23/2014:  18:08:06

Did a 4 hour gig last night and by the end of the night felt like I was caddying doubles : )

was listening to Craig Smith a t a festival a few years ago playing an 11 that was sublime found out later it just had the hoop

robbyboone - Posted - 02/23/2014:  18:48:05

Just my opinion.....

If you are dead set that a tone ring will give you the sound you are looking for, then why not buy another rim, have it fitted to the tone ring of your choice and then you can keep the original hoop rim intact. Again in my opinion, the original hoop rim in it's un-cut condition will be a big plus when it comes time to sell. As said before, there are MANY Mastertone banjos to be had........original post war hoop banjos, not so many. 

But, above all it's yours to do with as you please.

Robby

RioStat - Posted - 02/24/2014:  04:34:54

I'll agree with Robby, if you do anything, get another rim and cut it for the tone ring, save the original pot.

Or, since you state that you have other Mastertones, just play them for the tone you want, and play this thing for its originality.

Un-molested Gibsons from ANY era are becoming more and more rare!

steve davis - Posted - 02/24/2014:  05:02:13

I don't spend much if any time considering the resale value of any of my stuff.

TR Dockery - Posted - 02/24/2014:  05:44:46

If you already have other banjos with tone rings, I would consider leaving this one as is if only because of the lighter weight and resultant comfort.  I have a 1 that only has a hoop and it sounds as good as any of my other tone ring banjos (just different, and I like that).  Just sayin'.

Happy trails,

Randy

jon - Posted - 02/24/2014:  17:11:55

My favorite banjo is my 63' R170 with a brass ring, especially if it's just 6-10: in a jam. Once you get that 20 people circle with everyone banging away everything gets lost. I love light banjos!

jon - Posted - 02/24/2014:  17:12:15

My favorite banjo is my 63' R170 with a brass ring, especially if it's just 6-10: in a jam. Once you get that 20 people circle with everyone banging away everything gets lost. I love light banjos!

Markdc - Posted - 02/25/2014:  01:37:08

Thanks to everyone who has commented. Pretty sure right now that while I own the banjo it will stay as it is but equally sure that at some time in the future someone will put a tone ring in it!

Also, picked up in the archives that #1-9310-54 was sold here (see: banjohangout.org/classified/35113 ) My serial number is 1-9310-47 and the 2 banjos are identical so there was a batch of anomalies it seems

Doug Hutchens commented on that one and he has been so kind as to contact me. I am waiting for his comment after sending him the serial number

I have wondered since I got it how so beautiful an instrument can have been considered to be an entry level reissue but it seems that, to quote from the previous thread, "..look at that Maple.. pretty fancy....as you all know, the only thing consistant about Gibson was inconsistancy!" (letthegoodtimesroll)


Thanks again

Mark

Markdc - Posted - 02/25/2014:  06:21:56

Just read through the old thread again banjohangout.org/archive/157281  The guy who sold it to me obviously was wrong, From the serial number 1-9310-47) it was only shipped in 93. This was after Doug left Gibson, it would seem.

In the previous threads Greg Rich did contact the seller privately but we never actually get to learn how this bound version came to be.

Still very curious!!!

Mark

REarl - Posted - 02/25/2014:  09:27:30

I think you made the better choice. Lighter is good! It is always nice to have a heavy banjo with a big tone ring for when you are playing where you will be heard and people are really listening and you are playing well. But, unless you are in better condition than I am, for practice and in casual situations the lighter banjo would always be my choice. And if the lighter banjo looks as good as yours, even better.

By the way, although Greg Rich had been fired by Gibson in Feb 1993, another of their more stupid modern decisions, the team he set up and the parts he acquired were around for some time. Your 93 is still well within the Greg Rich halo. Could putting a lot of fancy binding on a "starter" banjo be the teams response to his dismissal? Seems appropriate, fancy up a banjo as a response to Gibson's wanting to save money? I bet is wasn't management's idea to put extra money into making a starter banjo look like a higher level banjo.

grambo65 - Posted - 02/27/2014:  01:28:03

Mark. If you check my home page you will see another variant of the RB1. The one I have is in an unusual color. Doug Hutchens informed me that around the time mine was manufactured they were experimenting with different finishes. Mine still has the hoop and at a recent set up by Greig Deering with one of his signature bridges has really made it sound great. As some one said earlier, there are plenty mastertones out there, not so many RB1's.

Regards Graeme

Markdc - Posted - 02/27/2014:  01:42:33

Thanks Graeme,

That's a very good looking instrument! Can't quite see, does yours have neck binding? And the serial number?

Mark