telereactor - Posted - 09/13/2015:  14:35:31

ive ran across this Gibson banjo which seems in great shape. It also seems to be at a great price. Is there any advice you all can give me about identifying the authenticity of this banjo? Btw, This gentleman bought it at a pawn shop. 

DH#52 - Posted - 09/13/2015:  14:49:55

Well, I'm no expert on Gibsons, but I've owned a couple of RB-100s in recent years, and I think $1500 is a pretty fair price for one in excellent condition.  People here will tell you it's too much, but the reality is that they go for that and higher, depending on the age.  I've seen a could of earlier '60s ones for $2000, so the one you're looking at may be a good deal.  I don't think you'll get one for less, especially if its original.

Good luck.

DH#52 - Posted - 09/13/2015:  14:52:25

Oops, just read your post more carefully, and I see it's a combination 100/250 with a ring in it.  If you don't care about hybrids, it's probably easily worth the price.

Culloden - Posted - 09/13/2015:  15:37:12

Many RB100s have had the rims turned down and fitted with tone rings which may be the case here. $1500 sounds like a reasonable price. It is in good condition and should make a fine player. RB100s are some of the easiest playing banjos I have ever picked.

The pictures are not quite clear enough to tell but it looks like it has a Baker tailpiece on it. That is a rarity.

saulsmanb - Posted - 09/13/2015:  16:03:55

Scott:

View the image -- then you'll know where those details came from.

All the best.

Brian Saulsman

RioStat - Posted - 09/13/2015:  16:07:24

I've got a '64 RB100, with the rim turned down and a '62 Gibson 4 hole archtop ring in it.

It's sounds as good as, if not better than, most bowties I've heard or played.

And, yes, Mark is correct, I believe they are easy playing banjos, I like the feel of the necks.

BTW< what is a Baker tailpiece? 

RioStat - Posted - 09/13/2015:  16:09:49

quote:

---

Originally posted by saulsmanb

 

Scott:

View the image -- then you'll know where those details came from.

All the best.

Brian Saulsman

---

Brian, yeaaaaa, I did that after posting my idiot reply !! (which I promptly deleted!)   

Thanks anyway!!

Culloden - Posted - 09/13/2015:  16:14:59

The Baker tailpiece was patented in or about 1961. It looks similar to a Presto but has a big triangle cut out in the center that the middle strings run through. Sometimes they show up on bow tie models from the early to mid sixties. I would not have known the name except that there was a thread on here some months ago about that very same tailpiece.

RioStat - Posted - 09/13/2015:  16:44:52

Thanks for the explanation of the Baker TP, Mark!

I've seen a couple of those, never knew what they were called.

The Old Timer - Posted - 09/13/2015:  17:15:44

The "Baker" tailpiece is usually stamped "American Screw Co." on the underside. I've never heard the term Baker for it.

By 1967 all Gibsons had rather thin black painted "Plywood" rims in them, something less than 1/2" thick. Generally not regarded as too good. If this a 1/2+" thick brown stained rim in, or even an aftermarket rim, it probably IMPROVES it, especially with a tone ring. An arch top tone ring is an odd choice, most would have chosen a flat head, but there you have it.

Hard to judge if rim and tone ring are authentic Gibson, but the rest of it looks "right". Do you have a photo of the back of the peghead to show the tuners? They should be pancakes of some type to be original. If the deal includes a hard case and you LIKE the look, feel and sound of the banjo, you'd be pretty hard pressed to go wrong.

Good luck.

skevincampbell - Posted - 09/13/2015:  17:16:01

I'd buy it.

Fathand - Posted - 09/14/2015:  11:28:36

Get pictures of the tone ring from the inside to confirm it is indeed a RB250 pot. Lots of RB100s with "archtop" looking hoop rings from the outside.

J.Albert - Posted - 09/14/2015:  15:10:15

Were the rims from 1967 full-thickness, or the "thin rims"?