Rarely get on eBay anymore for many reasons. Popped on this morning and the first thing I saw was this:
ebay.com/itm/297226768654?_skw...9S3-7DKZQ
I have an all original RB-1 that is contemporary. Looks to be a legit RB-1 from what I can see in the photos. Frets look good, case is period correct, case candy is almost the exact same as what I got with my banjo some decades ago. The 5th string pip looks like an original. Logo is correct. Everything looks legit…patina is correct on peghead and neck. All good…except the position of the pearl dot at the 5th string looks a little off and the nut is not period correct. Compared the photo to my instrument and from the photo, it just does not look right. Could this be a reworked plectrum? Grafts on peghead to compensate for this? Can't put my finger on it, but something just seems off. I have only handled a very few of these over the near half century of collecting and playing, and I'm no expert, but I would love to have an opinion from our brain trust on this.
Seems as is there may also possibly be a crack or some heel damage.
Not in the market for any more banjos at this point as I’m at critical mass and an age that I’m considering unloading a few, but at this price point, if original, could be a very good deal for someone. These instruments have an incredible sound. Heck, at that price, even a good deal if reworked.
Thoughts?
Edited by - Alvin Conder on 04/20/2025 05:30:11
I agree lots of things that look “right”. But the resonator notch and heel damage seems strange to me. All the style 1s I’ve handled from that period have a much cleaner resonator notch/neck fit, but maybe just bias.
Luke…Bingo!…I think you nailed it. Just checked on my RB-O0, RB-1 and other sub-Mastertones, the one on eBay looks like a mess of a cut and fit. Good eye.
The Resonator notch is fine. The heel repair is cocked on the right bottom, Giving the looks of a bad heel cut. IMO
Heel also looks short. Maybe due to the repair.
I’m always suspicious, if only on principle, of sellers who don’t take off the resonaotr and show the inside, especially when their pix are otherwise adequate.
The bridge being on backwards is never a good sign. The 1960s Grover Perm-A-Tension will look better when replaced by one with the shorter nickel button or a geared 5th..
youd need to inspect or have better pictures, but the neck shape doesnt look right, i think it might be a plectrum that has been grafted onto to make a 5. look at the back of the neck behind the tuner and the the heel, that might not be a repair but a graft. It would also explain the fretboard which appears to have been replaced.
In picture 14 there is some glue (or honey) dripping down the rim too
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