NNYJoe - Posted - 05/14/2026:  11:30:35

1931 Gibson RB-AA All American

bernunzio.com/product/gibson-a...an-30172/

And yes, the price is $250,000. But it comes with the original case!

The Old Timer - Posted - 05/14/2026:  11:48:19

Bernunzio's had this for several months now.

I think the market demographic for this banjo, a truly unique instrument, might be < 1. It's just too expensive. Also, bluegrass picker/collectors tend to shy away from "restored" banjos, even though this one certainly looks like an extremely experienced hand was at work.

My skepticism only reared its head when the description said it has a walnut resonator and mahogany neck. That seems unlike Gibson...I guess...

trapdoor2 - Posted - 05/14/2026:  11:55:30

I think it has been pretty extensively documented...but I'm not a fan of the restoration. I've always thought Richelieu went too far to make them look "perfect". I'm never going to be a buyer, so that's just another opinion.

Way overpriced...but at this level, we're talking about a museum bidding from deep donor pockets.

writerrad - Posted - 05/14/2026:  12:28:06

quote:hmm  what about without the case,   I got plenty of cases

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Originally posted by NNYJoe

1931 Gibson RB-AA All American



bernunzio.com/product/gibson-a...an-30172/



And yes, the price is $250,000. But it comes with the original case!

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banjered - Posted - 05/14/2026:  12:54:36

And, without the case you can knock off two of those zeros, $2500! banjered

Bill Rogers - Posted - 05/14/2026:  13:12:05

The “restoration” is a red flag for me too. CCR was a plectrum player as I recall, but 4-string players, it seems to me, seek banjos that look new and unworn; they want restoration that is beyond that needed to make an instrument playable. 5-string players prefer “honest wear” as long as long as it doesn’t affect playability. Richelieu, unfortunately, applied four-string taste to a five-string banjo, effectively shrinking the potential market for this banjo. $150k would have been ballpark in the heyday of the pre-war flathead market, but those days are gone. John B knows that he won’t sell this to a player to use, but a collector who finds value in the banjo’s uniqueness—and has deep pockets.

tonygo - Posted - 05/14/2026:  13:48:04

quote:

---

Originally posted by NNYJoe

1931 Gibson RB-AA All American



bernunzio.com/product/gibson-a...an-30172/



And yes, the price is $250,000. But it comes with the original case!

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Ha. Maybe Jerry Garcia looked at it one day. Maybe he even touched it!

Brian Murphy - Posted - 05/14/2026:  13:49:23

I think I would try to get them to thrown in a capo, some strings, and maybe a new F-250. Seriously, what would someone do with this? I wouldn't play it because the wear on the fretboard etchings would devalue it further. These are not good financial investments (appreciation not great, risk of loss/theft). You're not going to take it to a jam. Interesting museum piece, but this is going to be a very tiny market.

stanleytone - Posted - 05/15/2026:  03:24:07

Throw in a set of strings and you got a deal! Lol

Joel Hooks - Posted - 05/15/2026:  05:53:24

quote:

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Originally posted by The Old Timer

Bernunzio's had this for several months now.

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At this point, I think it has been at least a couple of years.

Joel Hooks - Posted - 05/15/2026:  05:55:28

The reality is that having it for sale at a large price and NOT selling it is valuable.

How often does one small music store get this much coverage.

I mean, people just keep posting about this. Bernunzio gets clicks to their website.

cevant - Posted - 05/15/2026:  06:10:30

Needs a scoop.

Owen - Posted - 05/15/2026:  06:36:37

Joel's post ^^ reminds me of a bit of our family lore.   We had neighbours of German extraction.   The father had migrated from Germany and still maintained some emotional (?) ties to the homeland when WWII rolled around.  He was none too pleased when his adult son, who had joined him in operating the farm, joined the Canadian Army.   He showed his displeasure (?) by offering to sell a quarter of land to my Dad, instead of to his son .... for the v-e-r-y attractive price of $1000.  My Dad's reaction was: "... made no difference ... I didn't even have a thousand cents."

Edited by - Owen on 05/15/2026 06:38:19

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 05/15/2026:  06:49:40

Interesting and somewhat disquieting story. how did that old man deal with stuff after they got their kicking? Please pardon the thread drift.
Ken

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 05/15/2026:  06:52:56

There is a picture of Ralph sitting in his living room playing one of these, but I think it was a copy.
ken

localhost - Posted - 05/15/2026:  07:36:33

$250k? That's like 83,000 cheeseburgers.

Owen - Posted - 05/15/2026:  07:52:37

quote:

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Originally posted by From Greylock to Bean Blossom

Interesting and somewhat disquieting story. how did that old man deal with stuff after they got their kicking? Please pardon the thread drift.

Ken

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Dunno ... by the time I was old enough to be privy to the story, the father, and his wife were no longer in the area ... either dead or retired elsewhere, I presume.  Things between the father and son must have gotten smoothed over [at least outwardly] ... when the son finished his military service [not sure if he was involved in actual "fighting," but I suspect not] the son carried on with the farm and so far as I know no land got sold outside of the family.  The quarter that had been offered to my Dad was eventually passed down to a grandson [a couple of years younger than me].  They were regarded as good farmers, but "all business."

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 05/15/2026:  07:56:08

Thanks Owen, An interesting story and time in history. My Dad's family was from Germany and my Dad and his brother ran down to sign up after Pearl H. ...as many many did
ken

Buddur - Posted - 05/15/2026:  11:28:50

Surprised there's not an apple pie depicted somewhere.

southerndrifter - Posted - 05/15/2026:  14:59:35

I don't think anyone will ever pay that price for this banjo, but you can't blame them for trying!! The family of the last owner (now deceased) placed it on consignment with Bernunzio about 4 years ago now. I don't consider it a museum piece because of the extent of its restoration. Many consider it the most rare banjo ever produced in the prewar years by Gibson. And considering that it is an original flathead, 1-piece flange 5-string banjo (the Holy Grail), the value is certainly substantial. But the list of buyers must be quite small, which might partly explain why it hasn't sold yet. I like the old banjo.........kind in a sentimental way.......because it was originally bought by a man from the area in which I live now. Waiting to strike that lottery!!!

steve davis - Posted - 05/16/2026:  08:07:02

Is it 100% guaranteed that Gibson did indeed make a 5 string example of this banjo?

Brian Murphy - Posted - 05/16/2026:  08:27:03

There is some interesting info out there about this one, including this FB post. If you look in the comments, there is a picture of Don Reno playing it at a festival

There's a Bluegrass Today post about it also

The provenance looks solid.

southerndrifter - Posted - 05/17/2026:  17:02:44

quote:

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Originally posted by steve davis

Is it 100% guaranteed that Gibson did indeed make a 5 string example of this banjo?

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Yes. This banjo is fully documented. With photos of the original owner holding it. 

bdr - Posted - 05/20/2026:  16:19:47

This is similar to other things such as paintings & other rare things. They are only “worth” exorbitant amounts because somebody is dumb enough to pay it.

steve davis - Posted - 05/20/2026:  16:33:11

Values change over time.
Chippendale furniture lost a lot of value around 2010.
I asked Jimmy Cox about investing in prewar Gibsons a few years ago (he had been an investment banker) and he advised against it.

kodakcollector - Posted - 05/20/2026:  17:04:17

I like my custom AA on a prewar rim, with a 70's factory resonator, original binding, neck by Don Bryant and Greg Rich, engraving by Greg Rich.

Expensive to build, but, not that much.

flickr.com/gp/kodakcollector/4Ak49ihEfX

Sorry, the restoration ruined that banjo. Still one of a kind.

nematode! - Posted - 05/20/2026:  21:44:20

Asking price, current vale/market interest and restorations issues aside, no has commented on the aesthetics, so I will: It is laughably hideous looking. I'd pay $50 for it in a yard sale, just for the humor value.

Brian Murphy - Posted - 05/21/2026:  04:08:39

quote:

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Originally posted by nematode!

Asking price, current vale/market interest and restorations issues aside, no has commented on the aesthetics, so I will: It is laughably hideous looking. I'd pay $50 for it in a yard sale, just for the humor value.

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Your missing the significance of this banjo.  It proves that reincarnation is real and that, in a prior life, Greg Rich designed banjos (jk)

reubenstump - Posted - 05/21/2026:  04:24:04

I agree with nematode. The first thought that comes to mind is "gaudy".

Banjo Vision - Posted - 05/21/2026:  09:18:01

As has been mentioned, being a player, there is a point that cost overrides the usability and enjoyment factor. I can see investing in one's retirement or paying down a mortgage. I'm speaking of course from a middle class income.
If someone has $250 k lying around without it being pegged for a particular need, then more power to them. I am quite happy with my old 75 that cost a whole lot less and has given me the primary sense of satisfaction.... Tone !

jwold - Posted - 05/21/2026:  11:44:04

I remember seeing/playing one of these at Pioneer Music in the 90’s but it was a g rich copy.
Excellent banjo but way over the top.

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 05/21/2026:  18:35:32

Gorgeous, distinctive, a piece of history. I hope someone gets it and makes full use of it in many ways. America + banjo = can't get any better than that.
ken

markbyrum - Posted - 05/21/2026:  18:50:17

I think if I was paying this much money I'd go for the Wade Mainer Grenada. It was for sale for this amount awhile back. Steve Huber sourced original era metal for the banjo (which Gibson had swapped out) and put it together well. I've played it when he had first assembled it. Really nice!

paadams - Posted - 05/21/2026:  19:54:18

quote:

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Originally posted by steve davis

Values change over time.

Chippendale furniture lost a lot of value around 2010.

I asked Jimmy Cox about investing in prewar Gibsons a few years ago (he had been an investment banker) and he advised against it.

---

I'm hanging on by my fingernails to the antiques business. If you think Chippendale Furniture was weak in 2010... Almost everything within my realm is down 50% to 75% from 2014. Every time I think I got something for next to nothing, the prices drop more. In fact much of what is in inventory is priced at 1985 prices. This all when the purchasing power of the fiat currency (a violation of the American Constitution) has dropped dramatically. It costs about $75 to buy four 1964 quarters that are well worn. 

The only thing that doesn't change is that everything changes. The only cure for high prices is higher prices. 

Owen - Posted - 05/21/2026:  20:18:49

Paul: "Every time I think I got something for next to nothing ...... ."

Nothing to do with expensive banjos, but ^^ that reminds me of a fellow I worked for in the latter part of the 1970s.  He had migrated from England.  On weekends, his wife used to drag (?) him to Winnipeg and thru the antique shops.  According to him it was customary for [some ?] people over there to just leave their "stuff" on the sidewalk and more-or-less walk away when they moved. 

He said it was kinda a head scratcher ..... they'd left pieces of furniture on the sidewalk that  Winnipeg shops were asking $1500 - $2000 for comparable items. 

[Whether or not they were in fact "comparable," I dunno .... but that's his story and I'm stickin' to it.   ]

tbbanjo - Posted - 05/22/2026:  07:50:05

Bernunzio's has been around for over 40 years. Well known across US and Europe for his vintage instruments. The shop travels around the countries buying collections of mostly banjo. JB is using the Gibson a lot for promotion. Will sell if the right collector shows up.

steve davis - Posted - 05/22/2026:  08:16:38

I found my dream banjo when I lucked onto a complete,low miles 1929 tb-2 (9469-44) and bought it for $600 in '98.
I took this tenor to Jimmy Cox and hired him to cut the rim for his Kentucky 5 flathead ring and a walnut Flying Eagle neck.
After selling the original pancake tuners and the pitted flange and hoop I have less than $1000 in this magnificent 5 string.
As soon as I played it for the first time in Jimmy's shop I knew I had found my dream banjo.

kodakcollector - Posted - 05/22/2026:  08:30:05

Style 2's are amazing!

facebook.com/share/p/18kW7FJvSR/

steve davis - Posted - 05/22/2026:  08:44:00

My 4 lug resonator with all the chalk and red paint numbers is worth more than I have in this banjo.

Edited by - steve davis on 05/22/2026 08:50:38

 

kodakcollector - Posted - 05/22/2026:  09:38:40

Yep!

steve davis - Posted - 05/23/2026:  11:50:06

I could have bought the tb-2 for $400 in the 80s.I didn't know I wanted it,then.

Brian Murphy - Posted - 05/23/2026:  12:02:51

quote:

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Originally posted by steve davis

I could have bought the tb-2 for $400 in the 80s.I didn't know I wanted it,then.

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But $400 in the '80s was a comparatively higher price than $600 in 1998.  You actually saved money by waiting.

steve davis - Posted - 05/23/2026:  12:10:43

I called Curtis McPeake when I got home with it and had a great conversation with him.
He told me all about pancake tuners (sold them for $200 because I hated the 2:1 ratio).
When I told him what I paid he said "Well,you stole that banjo."
I told him I was taking it to Jimmy Cox for a neck and flathead ring and he said "You're going to like that a lot."

1935tb-11 - Posted - 05/25/2026:  07:40:01

what does the cut decal tell you ?