For Sale: Gibson RB-18 (top tension) (sold)

The RB-18 banjo can be appreciated as a work of art with its curly maple sunburst finish, solid resonator, amber colored tuner buttons, rosewood radiused fingerboard, gold plated and gloriously engraved hardware. I bought this banjo as I suspected they would stop making them - It's the top of the food chain and not something a parking lot picker is going to need. I don't know how many were made of these, but not many. As the top of the line Gibson banjo line, it was not an economical purchase on re-release or in the pre-war period. From 1937 through 1941, Gibson shipped 28 top-tension five-strings, and I believe only 2 of these were of the most expensive RB-18.

There are no dings or blemishes worth mentioning, and it as beautiful as it was on the day I bought it, so this is essentially a "like new" sale. Please review all of the pictures and ask any questions you might have in advance of a purchase.

The banjo is a heavy one because of it's solid resonator and the top-tension tone ring. It has a radiused rosewood fingerboard. It is really beautiful, and it could be used as a powerful bluegrass banjo. Just don't wear a belt buckle when you play it, and don't hold your friend's beer when he goes to the restroom. I bought this to look at, and never considered playing it live other than on a show at delivery in 2001.