Do you know what year the Gibson was made?

1975

Is the Deering new ? Im guessing both are close in price ? Can you play both of them ? You can tell a lot by playing them. You always need to consider resale value . Just in case .

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Originally posted by Will Frady

Is the Deering new ? Im guessing both are close in price ? Can you play both of them ? You can tell a lot by playing them. You always need to consider resale value . Just in case .

The Deering is several years old and the RB250 is a 1975 model. I wish I could play these but neither are close to me. 

The Gibson is mahogany and the Deering comes in mahogany or maple. I own a Deering Maple and they are fine banjos. One of the best playing necks I have ever owned. The mid 70s Gibsons can be good ones but also some, not so much, based on when in the 70s they were made. Just research all you can on the 75 year's production before you decide for sure. I think I would probably go with Deering but again Gibson banjos can be good as well.

Bobby

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Originally posted by BobbyE

The Gibson is mahogany and the Deering comes in mahogany or maple. I own a Deering Maple and they are fine banjos. One of the best playing necks I have ever owned. The mid 70s Gibsons can be good ones but also some, not so much, based on when in the 70s they were made. Just research all you can on the 75 year's production before you decide for sure. I think I would probably go with Deering but again Gibson banjos can be good as well.

Bobby

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Thank you for this information, especially on when during the 70's it was made. I have heard both through sound clips and they both sound reall good. The Deering is slightly more affordable.

Can’t speak for the Gibson, but my main banjo is a mahogany 2015 Deering Deluxe (basically a Sierra with upgraded inlays and a gloss finish). I’ve been extremely happy with it. Good uniformity across the neck, nice bluegrass punch when needed, but also sweet when played further from the bridge. I’d also recommend listening to sounds samples on YouTube or something. Not a perfect test because there can be so much variance with player, setup, etc., but might be helpful.

My opinion, which isn’t worth much, is go with the Gibson if it sounds good and is in good shape. Deering still makes Deerings, but there won’t be any more Gibsons. You’re probably going to end up owning several banjos if you’re like most of us, so you can always get a Deering later if you want one. And the Gibson should hold its value if you play a reasonable price for it.

Can you play both banjos? If so, buy the one that sounds the best, feels the best and that you just can't live without. Otherwise, it's a toss-up which one to buy as both are nice banjos.

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Originally posted by jdeluke137

My opinion, which isn’t worth much, is go with the Gibson if it sounds good and is in good shape. Deering still makes Deerings, but there won’t be any more Gibsons. You’re probably going to end up owning several banjos if you’re like most of us, so you can always get a Deering later if you want one. And the Gibson should hold its value if you play a reasonable price for it.

Good point that no more Gibsons are being produced. Always wanted one anyway. 

I don’t know anything about a 70’s era Gibson, but I did play a 90’s era Gibson ESS for 7 years. It sounded ok, but its fit and finish was awful. Crazing finish, flaking fretboard, cracking binding, and flange needed replaced from pulling up. I let it go and never missed it. I know from reading here, that there are great, good, and not so good Gibsons, but this kind of soured my whole gibsonitus phase.

The funny thing is that I had sold my older Sierra several years earlier, because I thought I needed a more prestigious banjo. I always missed that Sierra. But now some 20 years later, I’m back to a Sierra as my main player. I’m not letting this one go. My vote is the Sierra.

Condition has a lot to do with the choice. A '75 Gibson in at least good condition can be a good buy. '70s RB-250s in general are the most affordable way to get a genuine Gibson.

The problems of this era are well-discussed. A 50-year-old banjo showing not even the beginning signs of rim delamination or binding disintegration is not likely to suffer from those problems. If they were going to happen, they would have happened decades ago, I believe.

But what version is the Sierra? Is it the current version with both the 06 tone ring and 19th century-inspire inlay? Priced well, that can be a very attractive buy. I might even choose it over the Gibson. Might.

I'd almost definitely choose a good condition 75 Gibson over a pre-2006 dot inlay Sierra. 

What I'd do has nothing to do with what you should do.

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Does the Sierra look like this, or are the inlays dots? (Note: The inlays are acrylic, not pearl)

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Originally posted by Dean T

I don’t know anything about a 70’s era Gibson, but I did play a 90’s era Gibson ESS for 7 years. It sounded ok, but its fit and finish was awful. Crazing finish, flaking fretboard, cracking binding, and flange needed replaced from pulling up. I let it go and never missed it. I know from reading here, that there are great, good, and not so good Gibsons, but this kind of soured my whole gibsonitus phase.

The funny thing is that I had sold my older Sierra several years earlier, because I thought I needed a more prestigious banjo. I always missed that Sierra. But now some 20 years later, I’m back to a Sierra as my main player. I’m not letting this one go. My vote is the Sierra.

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I appreciate you taking the time to share your opinion and what you would recommend. 

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Originally posted by Old Hickory

Condition has a lot to do with the choice. A '75 Gibson in at least good condition can be a good buy. '70s RB-250s in general are the most affordable way to get a genuine Gibson.

The problems of this era are well-discussed. A 50-year-old banjo showing not even the beginning signs of rim delamination or binding disintegration is not likely to suffer from those problems. If they were going to happen, they would have happened decades ago, I believe.

But what version is the Sierra? Is it the current version with both the 06 tone ring and 19th century-inspire inlay? Priced well, that can be a very attractive buy. I might even choose it over the Gibson. Might.

I'd almost definitely choose a good condition 75 Gibson over a pre-2006 dot inlay Sierra. 

What I'd do has nothing to do with what you should do.

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Does the Sierra look like this, or are the inlays dots? (Note: The inlays are acrylic, not pearl)

 

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The Deering Sierra is exactly like the one you have pictured here. The Gibson is in great shape for its age. I've always wanted a Gibson but also want the most banjo for my money. Thanks for your response.

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Originally posted by cooler92
The Deering Sierra is exactly like the one you have pictured here. The Gibson is in great shape for its age. I've always wanted a Gibson but also want the most banjo for my money. Thanks for your response.

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If you can buy the Sierra for less than the Gibson, there's a chance the Gibson is overpriced. Or the Sierra is very well priced.

We've been discussing one this past week that's on eBay for $2800. Even before the Hangout member/potential buyer made an offer, the seller knocked off $600. I think shipping was still extra.

If you want to share the numbers, that might firm up people's recommendations. You don't have to reveal where these are offered -- though if they're in online markets, they're not secret anyway.

Between the two banjos you've mentioned -- 70's RB250 v. recent Deering Sierra...
If it was me, I'd probably take the Sierra, especially if it was less money. As you can see from the posted pic above, these are very nicely done, especially since they went with the "old-time" inlays.

I have several Gibsons from the '90's, and a pre-owned Deering Golden Wreath I got from ZEPP when he was still in business. The Deering is the equal or better of the Gibsons -- beautiful workmanship, sounds great, plays VERY easily.

Having said that, if you really REALLY want an RB250, either find one from about 1992 or later (with the 1-piece flange and Rich Era improvements), or find a GOOD and original old bowtie with a flathead ring and a full-thickness rim. But they may cost more $$$...

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Originally posted by Old Hickory

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Originally posted by cooler92
The Deering Sierra is exactly like the one you have pictured here. The Gibson is in great shape for its age. I've always wanted a Gibson but also want the most banjo for my money. Thanks for your response.

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If you can buy the Sierra for less than the Gibson, there's a chance the Gibson is overpriced. Or the Sierra is very well priced.

We've been discussing one this past week that's on eBay for $2800. Even before the Hangout member/potential buyer made an offer, the seller knocked off $600. I think shipping was still extra.

If you want to share the numbers, that might firm up people's recommendations. You don't have to reveal where these are offered -- though if they're in online markets, they're not secret anyway.

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Gibson - $2500

Deering - $1800

Thank you for your response.

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Originally posted by J.Albert

Between the two banjos you've mentioned -- 70's RB250 v. recent Deering Sierra...
If it was me, I'd probably take the Sierra, especially if it was less money. As you can see from the posted pic above, these are very nicely done, especially since they went with the "old-time" inlays.

I have several Gibsons from the '90's, and a pre-owned Deering Golden Wreath I got from ZEPP when he was still in business. The Deering is the equal or better of the Gibsons -- beautiful workmanship, sounds great, plays VERY easily.

Having said that, if you really REALLY want an RB250, either find one from about 1992 or later (with the 1-piece flange and Rich Era improvements), or find a GOOD and original old bowtie with a flathead ring and a full-thickness rim. But they may cost more $$$...

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Thank you for your recommendations. Much appreciated. 

That's a killer/no brainer price for the Deering and too much (in my possibly wrong) opinion for the Gibson.

Seriously, I personally would not pay more than $2200 for a 70s Gibson. I paid a lot less than that for one with very little original 70s Gibson content.

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Originally posted by Old Hickory

That's a killer/no brainer price for the Deering and too much (in my possibly wrong) opinion for the Gibson.

Seriously, I personally would not pay more than $2200 for a 70s Gibson. I paid a lot less than that for one with very little original 70s Gibson content.

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That helps and thanks for your input. The Deering sounds really good and I really like the overall look of the banjo. 

Agree with Ken Norton above.
$1,800 for that Sierra?
Check it out, and if it's in excellent condition, well, that's what I'd buy.

Another vote for the Sierra!!! Hard to believe there is a late model Sierra, still available, at that price. If it’s in good shape, and you buy it, you scored a great deal. Not gonna lie… I searched all the possible suspects I know (eBay, guitar center, FB, reverb, etc, looking for it) no luck. Not because I want to snipe it, but because I’m curious, and wanted to check it out.

1970s Gibson RB 250s are plentiful, and nearly the lowest priced Mastertone in the used market, because the 1970s (and early 80s were "chancy" periods for fit/finish quality and sound quality.

This makes experienced banjo players shy about paying much for a Gibson of this period without being able to handle, inspect and play it first. Or at the very least being able to return it for refund after a 48 hour inspection period. If you buy this banjo, and ever decide to sell it in future, you will find experienced Gibson buyers being very skeptical of the banjo because of its vintage.

Some RB 250s from this period suffer from the wood bead on the side of the rim cracking away from the pull of the tension hoop pulling on the flange. Standard repair is a new rim. $300-500?

Some 250s from this period suffer from crumbling binding, and also binding coming unglued. As said above, it that is NOT showing on this banjo, it's probably not ever going to.

The tone ring during this vintage was at best, nothing special.

The finish from this period is very prone to a high degree of "crackelure".

All that said, "some" 250s from this period are very good to fine! A few pros play them with great results.

The confidence to offer a price you're happy with comes from knowledge of what to look for, and the chance to look for it.

DON'T buy this model sight unseen, or without ability to return for refund after inspection.

Buy the Sierra with much less need to worry.

But if you want a Gibson, this is a way to get into the Gibson Mastertone world about as cheap as is possible. Negotiate price, inspection, and refund policy

Good luck.

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Originally posted by J.Albert

Agree with Ken Norton above.
$1,800 for that Sierra?
Check it out, and if it's in excellent condition, well, that's what I'd buy.

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Thanks for responding. I appreciate everyone's input.

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Originally posted by The Old Timer

1970s Gibson RB 250s are plentiful, and nearly the lowest priced Mastertone in the used market, because the 1970s (and early 80s were "chancy" periods for fit/finish quality and sound quality.

This makes experienced banjo players shy about paying much for a Gibson of this period without being able to handle, inspect and play it first. Or at the very least being able to return it for refund after a 48 hour inspection period. If you buy this banjo, and ever decide to sell it in future, you will find experienced Gibson buyers being very skeptical of the banjo because of its vintage.

Some RB 250s from this period suffer from the wood bead on the side of the rim cracking away from the pull of the tension hoop pulling on the flange. Standard repair is a new rim. $300-500?

Some 250s from this period suffer from crumbling binding, and also binding coming unglued. As said above, it that is NOT showing on this banjo, it's probably not ever going to.

The tone ring during this vintage was at best, nothing special.

The finish from this period is very prone to a high degree of "crackelure".

All that said, "some" 250s from this period are very good to fine! A few pros play them with great results.

The confidence to offer a price you're happy with comes from knowledge of what to look for, and the chance to look for it.

DON'T buy this model sight unseen, or without ability to return for refund after inspection.

Buy the Sierra with much less need to worry.

But if you want a Gibson, this is a way to get into the Gibson Mastertone world about as cheap as is possible. Negotiate price, inspection, and refund policy

Good luck.

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Thank you for taking the time to send such a detailed response. All these replies are exactly what I need to make the most informative decision. It's looking more and more like the Deering is the one to pursue.