Description
Exc condition / Serial number: 184850
New EVO frets / Upgraded tuners
This 1960’s Gibson Bowtie RB-250 is a nice banjo. These instruments are respected as an important cog in the evolution of Gibson banjos, with many famous players using them in the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s.
Mahogany neck and resonator with 5-ply Maple rim. The blackened peghead veneer shows Gibson pearl inlay at top and pearl crown inlaid in center, with the truss rod cavity just above the nut. Appears to be a newer nut and truss rod cover. Rosewood flat fingerboard is in great shape. It was probably planed when the new EVO frets were installed by a professional luthier. Four railroad spikes correctly installed at A, Bb, B, and C positions. Fingerboard has large pearl Gibson Bowtie pattern inlays and Mastertone block at the 22nd fret. Fingerboard is bound with cream binding and has about 10mm of binding replaced with ivoroid at the very end of the fingerboard right under the 5th string. The neck has slight wear on the finish at the heel and two or three spots, some from a strap, of minor wear. Blackened back of peghead shows minor chipping here and there (see photos).
The metal parts on this banjo are original and in good shape, but show oxidation and wear from playing. The four main tuners are excellent stainless steel Keith standard pegs. 5th string tuner is a geared nickel-plated Gotoh, all with matching ivoroid buttons.
5-ply Maple rim with single co-ordinator rod. 19-hole flathead tonering. Tension hoop has a name and perhaps an address scratched into it, by a prior owner. Pot metal flange is in good shape.
Mahogany resonator is in very nice shape, with cream outer bindings on top and back edge of resonator, showing black-white accent line on the top and back faces. Two concentric circles of white-black-white inset in resonator. Tasteful vintage dark amber sunburst finish.
For many years, RB-250’s had terrible tuners. These are really an upgrade. This is a nicely setup player’s banjo, with a great fingerboard and new frets to provide many years of enjoyment.
Comes with hard case.
