Needing input please, if you don't mind. I'm tinkering around with searching for a 1980's RB-250, specifically a 1984 model (my birth year). I know those early 80's years don't have the best reputations, and I'd mainly be getting one just to say I have a banjo as old as me, but I also don't want a total lemon if I can help it. I also don't own a banjo with a 2-piece flange, and this would a cool change with the RB-250.
I have heard some 70s/80s 250s that are straight-up killers, but few and far between. Anyone here have good experiences with them?
I don't have much experience with these banjos. I do, however, know that Gold Star banjos from this time period were killer! It may be difficult to find one, as I think they slowed down their production near the end. It's no Gibson, but it would be a killer banjo that's as old as you are!
I say for the right price why not?
I laughed at your post because I went through the exact same thought process for an 83. I got over it but not before playing several 1983 gibsons. None of them sounded good and they were poorly made compared to other 1700 to 3000 dollar banjos.
I did find some early 70s rb250s I liked. I bought a 2002 and am soo glad i went newer.
A 1984 RB-250 is probably going to have the multiply rim and everything else pretty much as the 70's models did.
Think REAL hard before you buy one. It might be ok. Or, maybe not.
My opinion is that you'd do far FAR better with an RB-250 from the 1990's through the end of production in 2009. Birthday notwithstanding.
Why not? If you can find one in good shape at a reasonable price (meaning well below $2000), then go for it.
As to the rim, I just commented earlier today in another discussion about an 80s TB-250 that a Hangout member who worked at Gibson starting in the late '70s said in a long-ago forum post that he believed Gibson had returned to 3-ply rim from multi-ply by the time he arrived. I've never seen confirmation of that from anyone else, but there you have it. I will try to find that old post.
In my opinion: If the multi-ply rim on a 70s (or 80s) RB-250 is in good shape and not delaminating after 40 to 50 years, then it's probably good for quite a few more years. If one does delaminate (the tube retaining bead occasionally fails on these) it can be fixed. Or the entire rim can be replaced -- which would be an improvement.
Every RB-250 from this era that I've heard sounded good.
I think these had two different tone rings: One with a more hollowed underside, resulting in less metal and lower weight -- maybe as light as 2 lbs. And a later one, marked "GBB" that may have weighed 3-1/2 lbs or more. I don't know if there was another in-between tone ring used.
Finally: 1984 was the introduction year of the original Earl Scruggs banjo, the honey-color one with an under-sized double-cut headstock and Stew-Mac parts. These are collectible and somewhat desirable. Not valued as highly as the later Earl Scruggs Standard, that really got it right, but considered an improvement over the RB-250.
Good luck and have fun shopping.
Yeah I second looking for an 84 Scruggs. It has some historical value and was the best thing Gibson offered at that time.
We are now dissecting "vintage" Gibson banjos from the 1970s-80s by year, as if they were fine wines?
"The '77s have a little more finish in the sustain, while the '78s have a more nutty midrange."
I'd go by the individual instrument, rather than the birth year. And they can be pretty good values.
Found it!
Here's a link to the 2012 discussion titled When in the 1980s did Gibson start using 3 piece rims in which Hangout member and former Gibson banjo maker Doug Hutchens says: "The 3 ply rim was reintroduced in late 76 or early 77 and was a standard feature by the time We (Greg Rich, Jim Triggs and myself) got there in 86/87......then we went to work building a real banjo again."
He posted that on October 24, 2012.
If what Doug writes is correct, then a 1984 RB-250 would have a 3-ply rim under that black paint. I also assume that by '84 they knew not to be using that self-destructing binding used on the early ones. I have seen photos of several 1970s RB-250s with broken, cracked and crumbling binding.
Happy hunting!
quote:
Originally posted by Old Hickory
If what Doug writes is correct, then a 1984 RB-250 would have a 3-ply rim under that black paint.
As you probably know, Doug is correct. The three ply rim may look like a 5-ply because the two seams have a shallow rout for a filler strip. Also, at the same time, the earlier 70's ring went from a 2+ lb lightweight ring to the monster 3-1/2 lb GBB ring. The alloy in the GBB is a high tin bronze rather than the typical 85-5-5 Gibson postwar rings (except Faulkner) until the Greg Rich and Richard Kulesh Sr.
quote:
Originally posted by 550SpyderThe three ply rim may look like a 5-ply because the two seams have a shallow rout for a filler strip.
Right. More importantly, it's not a 10- or 11-ply rim or whatever the earlier one was.
quote:
Originally posted by Old HickoryEvery RB-250 from this era that I've heard sounded good.
I think these had two different tone rings: One with a more hollowed underside, resulting in less metal and lower weight -- maybe as light as 2 lbs. And a later one, marked "GBB" that may have weighed 3-1/2 lbs or more. I don't know if there was another in-between tone ring used.
Sorry Ken. I should read before posting. I wouldn't have repeated your comment if I had.
This is good info. Thanks folks!
Ideally, I'd try to find one under the $2k mark. The rim issue itself doesn't bother me sound-wise, only the potential delamination. Definitely don't want to get an older one with the binding that tends to crumble.
I'm blessed to have several wonderful-sounding banjos, so sound wouldn't be the biggest factor in the 250. Plus, I like the challenge of trying to hotrod a banjo to sound it's best.
Regarding the first run of the Earl Scruggs model as another option, they're great and everything but a) the smaller headstock bothers me, b) the honey stain isn't my favorite, and c) I prefer mahogany to maple so the RB-250 is more appealing.
Edited by - HuberTone on 06/07/2023 04:40:53
Just remember, if you get an '84 model and you are not impressed with the sound, you can always have another rim turned to fit the flange and tone ring. Then you can keep the original rim with the banjo, just like keeping the original tenor neck with a five string conversion.
BTW, I bought a 1964 Vega Ranger for the same reason, I wanted a banjo that was made the year I was born.
Edited by - Culloden on 06/07/2023 07:50:46
