On e-bay. Two grand. This ain't going to be around for long. (No, it's not mine. I have connection. But if I had the bucks, I'd be buying it forthwith.)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/RARE-1964-GIBSON-RB-180-PETE-SEEGER-LONG-NECK-BANJO-EXC-COND-w-ORIG-TAG-amp-HSC-/261980467978?&_trksid=p2056016.l4276
13 Comments |
 | giweb says:
7/25/2015 4:45:40 PM
There has also been one on BHO classifieds for some time.
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 | wesrichards says:
7/25/2015 5:17:09 PM
Brother and sister. They're both gorgeous.
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 | pastorharry says:
7/26/2015 8:23:22 PM
I'm sorry, but I personally think, "overpriced". Considering a 175 can be had for a grand or so, a thousand more for a mastertone ring,(not necessarily a plus), and a crown inlay on the peghead...seems a bit much. i realize these are a bit rare, but also have never been a coveted LN such as Vegas and Odes. Best of luck to the sellers, but I won't hold my breath.
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| wesrichards says:
7/26/2015 8:26:42 PM
Pastorharry: I'd like to hear a little bit more about why a Mastertone ring is "not necessarily a plus." I've never considered the issue.
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| pastorharry says:
7/27/2015 1:37:44 AM
Well, to my ears, louder, brighter, which can get in the way of singing, which are primarily what these instruments are for...then there is the weight factor, adding a heavy ring to an already unwieldy instrument. These observations are strictly my opinion and shouldn't deter anyone with an intrest from checking the banjo out. I have a good friend who says the best sounding openback he ever heard was a Gibson RB-180, so go figure. Of course he is strictly a bluegrass musician that ONLY plays Gibson Resonator banjos.Once again, beauty is in the ear of the behearer.
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| wesrichards says:
7/27/2015 1:51:50 AM
Anything that gets in the way of MY singing is a public service. :) But I see your point. Thanks.
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| pastorharry says:
7/27/2015 11:24:30 AM
BTW; there is a Gibson 175 for sale on the hangout for 700.00
banjohangout.org/classified/52413
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 | john bange says:
7/28/2015 6:34:59 AM
I found the rb175's and Epiphone's, I have had to be solid, well built instruments that were great to sing with. I don't know how much louder the rb180 is but I doubt I would care much for an increase in weight. Having said that, the 2 rb180's for sale right now are really nice examples.
I have to agree with Pastorharry about the price, however. It is a buyers market right now, on long necks. I'm glad I'm not trying to sell one.
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charliea says:
7/28/2015 9:35:01 AM
I bought the eBay 180 for considerably less than he was asking. It was, I think, a bargain. In the 60's I had a 175 arch top that I was never satisfied with. Always wanted to try a 180, but things intervened. Now's the time.
The relative merits of banjos are, of course, a matter of personal opinion. I already have a Fawley/Vega long neck that I've spent some time getting right. It is perfect. Couldn't play, sound or look better. There is no way the Gibson, or most any other banjo, can touch it, which is fine with me. I want something different and, of course, a long neck mastertone is very, very different. I have great hopes for it. Just need UPS to cooperate.
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| giweb says:
7/28/2015 4:38:24 PM
charliea - I have a wonderful collection of long neck banjos used for vocal accompaniment. Folk music got me into guitar and banjo. For folk music there is no banjo sound like a properly set up long neck. My exposure to BHO and renewed enthusiasm after retirement led me to rarer long necks. Your arch top RB-175 has a brighter tone than the flat top RB-175. Here is a great clip of an RB-175 flat top:
banjohangout.org/myhangout/vid...&id=25498
IMO that cut would sound even better on an arch top. I have both types of 175s. I also have an RB-180 and a Stelling Longflower with resonator.
IMO that great instrumental cut would sound even better on an RB-180 and spectacular on the Stelling as well. However I don't think vocal accompaniment would give that traditional Dave Guard / John Stewart folk sound. When John Stewart said the RB-180 "didn't cut it," that's what he meant. A long neck w/o capo has the most beautiful sound IMO! Just as I prefer viola and cello to violin. In Latin : de gustibus non est disputandum - about taste there can be no judgement.
The RB-180 is a beautiful, rare instrument you will enjoy. The inlays and tuners are wonderful! It is the closest I will come to owning a Mastertone!. . . again, that latin thing! ENJOY!
giweb
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 | D Webster says:
8/4/2015 7:32:27 AM
GIweb, any advice on getting that "proper setup"? I just came home with a 1964 RB175 and would love to really make her shine!
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| giweb says:
8/4/2015 3:04:46 PM
David,
As I said in last answer - "In Latin : de gustibus non est disputandum - about taste there can be no judgement."
IMO, the RB-175 has the best shaped neck in long neck land. Mike Halloran prefers a beefier neck. IMO the OEM maple and ebony bridge and OEM tailpiece work well enough to leave alone - HOWEVER - if you have the time, money and inclination, there are subtle differences you may favor in bridge choices. Listen to audio examples many BHO vendors have available. Tailpieces have angle adjustments that change tone. I have seen Kershner recommended for 175. Others prefer No-Knot TP. The tailpiece angle mount on a 175 is longer than most. Hopefully you have the original. I prefer less bright sound from long neck and do not tension the head like a bluegrass banjo. Too tight kills the folk sound IMO. I think both of my 175s have original heads. They were both low mileage closet dwellers. There are MANY opinions available in BHO archives about choice of head type for 175. Probably audio clips as well. Bridge placement is VERY IMPORTANT. Measure and check for harmonics with electronic tuner. You should have Grover rotomatic tuners and Grover tension tuner on 5th string. Remove screw from end of 5th tuner and add a drop of 3 in 1 oil once a year. IMO it looks better than geared 5th tuner. There are geared 5th tuners w/o the offset barrel. If I had trouble with it, I would use one of those. OEM 5th tuner is threaded into neck. If you are not very mechanical, leave that to a pro! Stay away from Martin Vega strings - they are too short! Haven't had a problem with length of any others. I prefer medium strings and stainless wound 4th. There are nylon harp strings available as well! Again that taste thing! Go to archive discussions - recall a favorite '60s or '70s long neck player you liked the sound - then find out what strings he / she used. There is so much information on the internet about banjo tuning! I have only belonged to BHO for 16 months and still find info almost daily . . . and this is just about long necks! From 1959 to 2014 I only had one Bacon "Folk Model" long neck. Joined BHO after retirement and found my beloved long necks were priced in a buyers market. Now I have collected some of the best long necks ever made and am learning answers to the questions you ask for each one! Fortunately for you, the Gibson RB-175 is very well set up as delivered! In the upper right corner of your BHO home page, type in your search and collect as many opinions as possible - then make educated decisions with that Latin caveat always on your mind. Post a question in the proper forum section and many intelligent BHO members will politely and intelligently respond - even if the question has been asked hundreds of times! Hence my recommendation of searching the archives first!
As to your original request - it is all a matter of taste and you are fortunate to start with an excellent sounding long neck as delivered by Gibson!
I am recovering from bi-lateral knee replacements but my 12 month goal is to bring my wonderful long neck collection to Clifftop and spend a week letting my BHO friends try my beautiful long necks! Sorry I could not be more specific!
Long Necks Forever . . . Enjoy!
giweb
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charliea says:
8/7/2015 2:33:37 PM
Just an update. I haven't had time to do much with the 180, but I have played it side-by-side with the Fawley/ Vega. Even with rusty strings and a plastic head of uncertain origin, it holds its own. Louder and brighter than the Vega, it certainly sounds good. Reading older posts, there seems to be a feeling among some that the 180 is somehow a lesser instrument. Believe me, its not. Most anybody would love to have one. I'll do a comparison video one of these days, when I get the time.
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