I'm curious about an RB-100 in a local music shop on consignment. Several searches online have given me different answers as to when it was produced.
To wit, the serial number is 525563. It has a fiddle shaped peg head, not the plain one (bowtie?). The wood on both neck and resonator do match and is fancier than what I've seen on other RB-100s online. It has a great, deep undertone and is quite loud and resonant. Also, it does have 2 rods in the rim (which is the expected black). The tone ring is the normal brass hoop, as well.
Asking price is $1090. The shopkeeper insists the price was cut because it needs a fret overhaul, but I don't agree.
Any help would be appreciated.
Patrick
In the forum archive there are multiple comments from folks suggesting one should stay away from the rb-100 with the fiddle headstock (I've personally never seen - let alone heard - one; just an FYI)
If it appeals to you, don't let the fiddle peghead stop you. If you lay out $1000 in cash, I bet they would take it.
Gibson repeated serial number ranges in the post-war years through the '70s. Serial number 525xxx could be either 1968 or 1974/75. Fortunately, Gibson banjos in these two different periods were of different designs. So the first step in identifying a likely year of manufacture is understanding what the banjo itself is saying.
The fiddle-head RB-100 was from the 1970s. Its neck was three-piece laminated mahogany, with a wide non-contrasting center strip. The wood was a medium brown color. The Gibson name was in block style as on guitars (not script as on the '70s RB-250). I think it was gold, so was probably a decal. Below the serial number on the back of the headstock I'd expect it to be stamped "Made in USA" like the RB-250.
Two coordinator rods? I don't know. The 1950s-60s RB-100 only had one. Maybe the '70s RB-100 had two or a previous owner added it. This would not bother me. An original rim would be multi-ply. Replacement with a 3-ply rim also would not bother me. It would be an improvement. I don't know about original rim color on 70s RB-100. I can search out photos later.
If the above describes the banjo you're looking at, then it seems correct for the 1970s.
I've never read of ay specific problems with the 1970s RB-100 or adie not to buy them. Most of the problems from the 1970s were in the RB-250, such as delamination of the rim's tube-retaining bead and disintegration of the binding. But the RB-100 has a one-piece flange, so there's no outer bead to delaminate. And the RB-100 has an unbound neck and only one strip of binding on the resonator. Could that disintegrate? Maybe. But if it's still in tact in 2025, I'd say it's fine. If it was going to break down, that would have happened already.
1950s-60s RB-100 would have the paddle headstock, sunburst finish resonator on plain maple, one coordinator rod, and block Gibson decal. I think the neck would be darker than the 1970s version.
$1090 seems like a reasonable price for a US-made Gibson banjo. Since a 1970s RB-250 could sell for $1800 to over $2000, depending on condition, you'd expect to pay less for an RB-100.
Can you post photos of the banjo?
Go back and put some money down to hold the rb-100 for you. It is a great add for a collector.
it sounds like a 70s rb100, they are arguably the least desireable banjo gibson ever made. That said the price is right. If it plays good, which it might, i have a 70s rb-250 which plays great, then its a score. It isnt really a collectable banjo. But its one you can enjoy!
Thank you for the info. I'm really interested to know the exact year it was made.
I think Ken narrowed it down about as much as you can get. Gibson numbers from that era are pretty dicey. The early '70s model RB100s had a gold decal like the old bow tie era models. The later models had a pearl inlay or overlay. Both models are shown below. The one you are looking at is from about the time the change was made so it could have either logo.
Edited by - Culloden on 04/25/2025 09:41:43
I own an early 1970s RB-100. I bought it because it was a closet queen in excellent unmolested condition (I think it has the original strings). Mine has two coordinating rods. Here are some pics. Maybe they will help. The neck color is a little different then the resonator. You can see the three piece neck. I haven't done anything to it yet, so can't vouch for the sound. I can upload more pics if that is helpful Slapstick_inc
quote:
Originally posted by Slapstick_incThank you for the info. I'm really interested to know the exact year it was made.
The information posted on this page shows that banjos with 6-digit serial numbers in the very broad range of 100000 to 699999 were produced in 1974 and 1975.
On this page, it says a TB-100 with serial number 501173 and an unidentified model with number 501981 were produced in 1975. So maybe yours was made in 1975. I emphasize maybe.
This second page demonstrates my earlier point about Gibson repeating ranges of numbers. The two 501xxx numbers from 1975 are in the middle of many entries for the 1960s. Go figure.
I can certainly understand your desire to know exactly what year this banjo was made. But for the first 30 to 40 post-war years it is not always possible to know. The numbers didn't mean anything. They didn't include a date code as was introduced in the mid- to late '80s. So sometimes the best we can do it "possibly," "probably" or "most likely."
My interpretation of the information I found -- which I believe is the same information everyone else uses -- is that one table says the banjo was probably or even most likely made in 1974 or 1975. The other page says that can possibly be narrowed down to 1975.
But that requires Gibson serial numbers always being sequential, which we know is not so. I am far from an expert in these things. Maybe an actual expert can pinpoint the year.
It sounds like I can only say for sure is that it was made anywhere from 1969 to 1980, since 1969 was the first year the fiddle head was used and 1980 was the last year the RB-100 was made. 1974-1975 is right in the middle. Thanks for everyone's help!
quote:
Originally posted by Slapstick_incIt sounds like I can only say for sure is that it was made anywhere from 1969 to 1980, since 1969 was the first year the fiddle head was used and 1980 was the last year the RB-100 was made. 1974-1975 is right in the middle. Thanks for everyone's help!
I don't mean to argue, but I don't think the information I've shared supports that interpretation. Or at least not that reason.
The information at the linked pages doesn't suggest that a 1970s era RB100 #525563 was produced as early as 1969 or as late as 1980. The possible years of manufacture are not 1974 or 75 because they're in the middle of the model's years of production, but because (according to the tables) numbers 5xxxxx were seen in those specific years.
Specifically TB100 #501173 was produced in 1975. This suggests (though doesn't prove) that 525563 wasn't produced earlier.
Now I also see something I missed before. RB250 #542337 is also listed as being made in 1975. So #525563 is in between two supposedly known 1975 serial numbers.
This may not be proof, but it's a strong suggestion that 525563 was made in 1975.
I didn't deduce my statement from your reply. Research showed that the first year the RB 100 was made with a fiddle peghead was 1969 and the last year they were produced was 1980.
Your info gave me the 1974-1975 range, although 1975 is the more likely year of production. I agree with your assessment. Thank you for that.
