Gibson RB-3 #9267-3
Following the introduction of the
Mastertone line in 1925, Gibson's banjo designs continued to evolve. The
tone ring changed from the ball-bearing type to a no-hole archtop tone ring to
the forty-hole archtop ring seen here. The head tension hardware also made
the transition from a grooved hoop with flat hooks to the notched hoop and round
hooks used on this banjo.
The next step in Gibson banjo evolution, the one-piece flange, was still some time away when this original five-string RB-3 was produced. The least expensive Mastertone model, style 3, was also the most popular. This example conforms to standard specifications for this model at the time with a dark-stained maple neck and resonator, a two-piece flange, nickel plating, a Presto tailpiece, a fiddle-shaped peghead, Grover tuners, white binding on the neck and both edges of the resonator, and a Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with diamonds and squares inlays.
This banjo remains in original condition with its friction fifth-string peg intact and shows only normal playing wear.
Photos courtesy S. Venema/Palm Guitars..
