Other Gibson's With Crowe Rings

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Gibson owners group for owners and fans of RB75 Crowe, Blackjacks, RB75VL's and other original Gibsons with a Crowe tonering

42 Members, Created 1/28/2011 -

Administrators: 3fingers (owner)

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From Mike Casey on 1/29/2011 8:15:54 AM

William, I notice your avatar is a photo of an RB-6. Would it by any chance have a Crowe ring in it? If so would you share the serial number? My six is 6-9907-4. I also wonder how many Non Crowe model Gibson's came with the Crowe ring from the factory? That is something I have always been curious about. I have also heard the some Crowe model banjos did not come from the factory with the Crowe ring... as specified. I would like to know more about the Crowe ring as I think they are as good as it gets.

2 Comments
	Lonesome Will says: 1/30/2011 8:28:59 AM Mike, The RB6 is a Gibson copy that I had built. All the hardware is Huber. Pics on my home page. My Blackjack however is original with the Crowe ring. Question: Do you have to take the banjo apart to see the serial number on the Crowe ring?
	Mike Casey says: 1/30/2011 11:02:42 AM Will, The tone ring has to be removed to see the Crowe markings. When you take the ring off turn it upside down and look for the Gibson logo and a 4 digit serial number. They'll be stamped on the face of the inside ring foot. The early production Crowe rings would have the Gibson script in the 50's style and the later ones in the 20's - 30's script style. I am not sure when the switch was made. Some of the earliest experimental Crowe rings were marked with Crowe or maybe J.D., but they were marked. There have been a few Crowe rings that got through with no marking. The Crowe rings are pretty easily identified by their profile and by their weight. They are very consistent in that they weigh a few tenths of an ounce of 3lbs. The ones I have experience with weigh slightly less than 3lbs. The one in my Blackjack weighs 2lbs. 14.5 ozs. I have previously owned 2 RB-75s and the rings in them weighed 2lbs 15.5 and 2lbs 15.9 ozs. I have a no hole Crowe in a custom banjo whose weight I don't recall, but I do remember it was below 3lbs. It was an experimental Crowe ring and it has a 5 digit serial number beginning with a 0. No other markings. I have never weighted a Crowe ring that went over 3lbs. There may be some out there. The other Gibson rings, Kulesh and the PM rings, tend to weigh around 3lbs 4ozs. plus. They are heavier rings. These are also good tone rings in my opinion.
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