1940 Gibson RB-00

$4,500.00

  • Year: 1940
  • Manufacturer: Gibson
  • Model: RB-00
  • Case: Original Soft
  • Color: sunburst
  • Condition: Excellent
  • Description: Gibson RB-00 Model 5 String Banjo, c. 1940, made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, sunburst finish, maple rim and resonatorn maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, original black chipboard case. Of all vintage instruments one of the hardest items to find is an authentic original prewar Gibson five-string banjo. The four-string tenor banjo was the most popular style in the 1920's and 30's by a wide margin, particularly among those who could afford pricey instruments like Gibsons! Most extant old Gibson five-strings are conversions from tenor or plectrum banjos and an original "5" in any style is always an exciting find.This instrument is an RB-00, the least expensive banjo in Gibson's line of the 1930's but still a considerable rarity in five-string configuration. These Style 00 instruments retailed originally at $30.00 and were available from the mid-'30's up until WWII. As is the case with this one they usually carry no serial number, making them impossible to date exactly. The features of these banjos tend to be somewhat inconsistent as well, with different versions assembled from stocks of parts which may have been intended for other instruments originally! By the late 1930's banjos were no longer a priority for Gibson and even well before WWII they often seem to have been put together somewhat randomly from whatever was available.This RB-00's plain-finished rim is a thin 1/2" laminate peculiar to the 00 series, carrying the familiar cast one-piece flange and a single coordinator rod/bolt neck attachment. There is no tone ring fitted and the hoop is fairly thin, while the hooks and armrest are standard Gibson fittings. The maple neck is sunburst finished on the back and has a pointed Kalamazoo-like headstock with a white script silkscreened Gibson logo on the black-painted face. The rosewood fingerboard is inlayed with four single pearl dots and has no binding. The tuners are two-tab Grovers with white celluloid buttons and the nut is plain ebony. Unlike the even cheaper Kalamazoo line banjos this Gibson is equipped with both an adjustable truss rod and an arched-back resonator, which is bound only on the bottom edge. The back and sides feature a nicely shaded sunburst effect.The 00 style instruments were Gibson's attempt to make a "Genuine Gibson" available to anybody. For ambitious amateurs or hopeful entertainers on the way up dropping $30.00 on a good instrument in the late 1930's was a real possibility. Despite this, the five-string banjo was not nearly as popular even in country music as it would later become, and relatively few of even these inexpensive banjos were made compared to guitars or even mandolins in the same price range. This banjo is a fully original 1930's Gibson, and even without a heavy tone ring or fancy trim is as authentic as one can get for pre-war banjo stylings. Perfect for any pre-Bluegrass string band or solo/duo playing with a surprizingly bright and powerful sound for a wood-top rim. Not a Mastertone, perhaps, but an instrument to reckon with nonetheless!Overall length is 37 1/2 in. (95.2 cm.), 11 in. (27.9 cm.) diameter head. Scale length is 26 1/2 in. (673 mm.). Width of nut is 1 3/16 in. (30 mm.). Completely original including head, bridge and looks like even (in the case!) the strings. Some small areas of staining on the resonator back and rim from the case interior likely getting damp at some point, otherwise only minor wear overall...finish is worn away in several spots on the back of the neck from play between the nut and 3rd fret, and there is one small worn spot neer the heel. Fingerboard and frets are very nicely preserver with light wear. Includes the original chipboard case. A fabulous example of an authentic pre-WWII Gibson 5-string. ! Excellent Condition.