Interested to hear how fellow modern RB-4 owners have their banjos set up, and what they've found works well for them. Feel free to reply here or message me and we can start a conversation group. Being the only walnut model in the modern line up, these banjos sure have their own sound and quirks.
Mine is a 1997 model. I'm using a "no-logo" medium Remo head from Stew Mac. Ear tuned to G# and 91 on the drum dial. Stock Presto bridge which is about a mm above tension hoop..
Vega Medium strings, Dunlop .0225" finger picks and white med Dunlop thumbpick.
Keith Tuners which came with it when I bought it. Appear to be 90s models.
Action set at 7/64" at the 12th fret, 1/8th" at the last fret.
No-name 5/8" bridge.
I don't have other flat head banjos to compare it to, but I enjoy playing and hearing it better than my 28 no-hole archtop.
Mine is a 1998 model. Basically set up same.
It likes 91 drum dial, remo head, 5/8th Snuffy Smith bridge, .010 to .020 light strings.
Keith d tuners, Neutral co-rods, same relief as you with easy fretting.
Walnut seems slightly mellower but my wife says it stands out in audience when I take my turn at jam or take a break.
My favorite banjo.
Back in 90s I ordered my RB-4 through Janet Davis and I wanted an ebony fingerboard. Later on I may have traded in for A STELLING through Turtle Hill. Somewhere out there is a walnut RB-4 with an ebony finger board. One of many I wish I still had.
Not too tight.
More like "medium-loose" (I like all my banjos that way).
Light strings.
Sounds fine to me.
I bought a '29 walnut tb-2 (9469-44) in '98 and took it to Jimmy Cox who cut in a flathead ring (Cox Kentucky 5) and a walnut 5 string Flying Eagles neck.
2 Keith tuners from the 70s
.011" 1st fret string clearance
.015" 7th fret relief
12th fret clearance .080
22nd fret clearance .100
.650" bridge/neck cut for 11/16
Head tension +- G#/dime deflection under 6" ruler at the bridge
Strings are 11 11 15 22pb 11
Deep and powerful clear notes at any pick pressure
Plays like "buttah".
Bigger strings play easier when the action is reduced.I stopped looking for any other banjo when Jimmy handed me this one in his shop and said "It sounds good already and it will only get better over time."
Tailpiece is of course a "Cox".
Edited by - steve davis on 08/24/2026 12:11:41
Here's a nice pic of my tb-2 resonator.
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