Posted By: Ceres Banjo Works (+100) | Rate Member
$20,000 USD
This Prewar Gibson RB-3 original 5-string was Sonny Osborne's first Mastertone. While still with Bill Monroe as a teenager Stringbean (Dave Akeman) told Sonny of this banjo being available for sale in PA. Sonny's father made the purchase for him and Sonny then worked to pay his father back. Sonny's dad used a brace and bit to drill holes and install cam tuners right off the bat.
Sonny began to record right away such classics as "Sunny Mt. Chimes", "Walkin' Cane","Della Mae" and many others. Notably Sonny's brother Bobby used this particular banjo as a twin part to Sonny on the recording of "Ruby" with The Osborne Brothers & Red Allen. Obviously this is a very historical instrument to Bluegrass and Country music.
You can see in early photos the banjo had a "bowtie" fret board which was not at all uncommon during which time the Gibson factory would replace the board with something as simple as a refret. ...i.e. Earl Scruggs 1949.
The F.O.N. 9032-5 puts this banjo right around 1928. The neck still shows the holes from Sonny's dad as he was very nostalgic about them and did not want them covered although the "Sonny's Ugly Tuners" covers one from front view. This banjo was sold by Sonny many decades ago and was owned by a few players. One most notable player was Larry Mathis of The Pinnacle Boys who owned it and recorded with it for almost 30 years. In the 1990's a previous owner had Frank Neat restore the banjo to its factory spec's including a complete refinish. Soon after this Sonny Osborne bought the banjo back and owned it for several more years. There are a lot of little stories and details to be told to the new owner but that's the gist of the story. If you have any questions or desire additional pictures, don't hesitate to ask. Here are a few links to historic recordings:
youtube.com/watch?v=zY2nvwUlsuo
youtu.be/UPMvdQSe9Zo?si=OOrOyzLpADz3xkNa
youtube.com/watch?v=YHTi1UQqkMk
youtube.com/watch?v=PDk_xDyauSM
Location:
United States, TN
Shipping:
Local Pickup or Meet Preferred
Payment Methods:
Check/Money Order, Cash (in person), Paypal
Payment Option Notes:
Venmo, Bank wire as well.
Return Policy:
Returns accepted. Buyer must contact seller within 2 days to arrange return. Refund will be given as Money Back. Buyer pays return shipping.
Condition of Item(s):
Used - Excellent Condition
Category:
Make:
Gibson
Ad Status:
Active
Listing No:
106407
Page Views:
1946
This ad will automatically expire 11/16/2024 9:14:54 AM unless updated before that date. To keep the system current, ads expire if not updated for more than 60 days.
