I ordered a Gibson RB800 in 1974 or 1975 in Bob Hughes Music in Olathe, KS. It took quite a while for the banjo to come in. I'm getting old so I cannot remember how long it took to get the banjo. I would really like help with the serial number as it is an odd one for sure. Serial #128738. Any ideas when this was made for sure folks?
Gibson's use of 6 digit serial numbers during the 1960's and 1970's was random and careless at best. Some numbers could have been used several times over multiple years. We generally have to look at a particular instrument's specifications to help narrow the date of manufacture to +/- a year or two.
Serial numbers in the 100000's can appear on instruments made between 1963 and 1967, and also anytime between 1970 and 1975. If your instrument has a fiddle shaped peghead, 2 piece flange, and multi-ply rim, about the best we can do with is narrow it down to the early 1970's.
Most 1970's Gibsons have a "Made in USA" stamp.
Numbers in the 128000 range also appeared on instruments made in 1963. But the RB-800 wasn't cataloged until 1964.
Is the neck a 3-piece laminated? The center strip will be about 1/2-inch wide and of the same wood as the outer two pieces, which on a 70s RB800 would be curly maple, I believe. The grain in the center strip will not align with the outer pieces, so the strip will be easy to spot.
This type of construction puts the neck in the 1970s.
Edited by - Old Hickory on 12/30/2022 21:19:14
I don't know that much about the numbers that Gibson placed on their instruments, but I would point out that all serial number systems do not necessarily have information coded within the numbers. Some serial number systems simply have numbers that are assigned serially and chronologically.
Gibson serial numbers are a mess. There have been many formats and many series. Currently, there are at least 4 or 5 formats.
Their 6 digit numbers were neither date-coded nor chronologically consistent. Many numbers were used multiple times, and there were at least two series of 6 digit numbers.
The best we can do with some instruments with 6 digit numbers is to narrow them down to +/- 2 or 3 years, and a thorough knowledge of specification changes is necessary to narrow it down even that much.
Here are some pictures. The peg head is the fiddle style and the neck is 3 piece. I was hoping the serial numbers were secretly coded for the exact date but oh well. Thank you so much for help! Happy New Year! Where do the pics go when you upload to this forum? Ugh.
Edited by - kslyter on 12/31/2022 13:15:43
I see enough there to narrow this one down to between 1970 and 1975: Fiddle peghead, 6 digit number with Made in USA stamp, 2 piece flange, and "looks right for that period."
One of my references states "Shipping records show no style 800 banjos: 1972-1978," but I do not know whether that statement is accurate or not.
Considering the info you gave in your original post, let's stick with 1970 - 1975 and leave it at that. It's possible the banjo may have sat in a distributor's warehouse for quite some time before it was located and shipped to Hughes Music.
Edited by - rcc56 on 12/31/2022 13:59:18
I was a Freshman at Empora State University when it came in and mom and dad delivered it to me. That would have been the fall of 1976. So I’m guessing it is a 1975 and you are right they took forever to ship it to me from the factory. I’m really impressed with the sound of this banjo even with the clear head. I have nine high end banjos and this one hangs with them all. Thanks!
I tried dating an RB800 a while back using serial number charts available through this Forum, and came to the conclusion it was a1975 issue. The serial number was 06189050. My understanding is that if it has a two piece flange, a three piece neck and more than a five ply rim, then you can pretty sure it is a mid 1970s issue, when unfortunately they seemed to be more keen on producing eye catching banjos than top sounding ones. Others might disagree…
