Gibson RB-4 Mastertone 1993

The classicest Gibson Mastertone 5-string banjo ever, the RB-4, with design features dating back to the 1930s. This one from the early 1990s (can you believe that was over thirty years ago?) when Gibson decided to really get it right again, with all the wonderful features of the true pre-war originals plus a few nice small cosmetic touches. First off and most important, the multi-ply maple rim with the banjo world's most revered tone ring, the 20-hole flat-head, combined with its solid cast resonator flange. Solid walnut neck with the most revered Gibson “Flying Eagle" mother-of-pearl inlay pattern and oh, how I lusted after that when I was 15 years old and all steamed up about bluegrass! The neck is nice and straight; the frets have almost no wear; someone has thoughtfully installed two of those little model railroad spikes to effectively be a fifth-string capo; the geared tuning machines are modern repros of the best of the pre-war best with the fifth-string tuner also thankfully being geared, it don’t get no better. The resonator is traditional all the way: walnut, with two original-style concentric rings of the finest wood marquetry. Those aforementioned nice cosmetic touches are a genuine solid abalone-shell truss rod cover and fancy patterned metal work on the armrest and tailpiece cover. All gone over and set up by yours truly, chief banjo wrangler here on Bleecker Street since the 1960s and to this day. Take it away Earl, for only $2995 w/ohsc