Since I follow some banjo feeds on FB, I was fed an individual's post on a banjo he inherited from his grandfather. He posted a picture, claiming it was a mid-60s Gibson RB-250, but it had a flying eagle inlaid neck and concentric circles on the resonator. Also, some of the inlay on the peghead was under parts of the tuning pegs. I didn't want to say anything until I was sure but sure didn't remember any 250s I'd ever seen having an FE inlaid neck and the rings on the resonator. Am I mistaken?
Bobby
RB 250s from the mid 1960s had bowtie inlays. The sunburst finished resonators DID have two concentric rings in them. The only inlay in the headstock would be the little thing, or "squashed frog" as some call it -- sort of an art deco thing where all the sides are straight lines, placed in the center of the peghead.
You may have a 1960s RB 250 with an "upgraded" neck or a substituted neck (in case it was originally a TB 250 tenor for instance).
Best thing to do is post as many photos as you can get here.
>>You may have a 1960s RB 250 with an "upgraded" neck or a substituted neck (in case it was originally a TB 250 tenor for instance).<<
Not my banjo. Just came in on my Facebook feed with the picture I described and stating that it was an RB-250 inherited from his grandfather. Just wanted to verify that no 250s ever came from Gibson with an FE neck, etc.
Bobby
What Dick said. Could be a replaced neck. Or maybe someone modified the existing neck. Way back in the 70s or 80s there was a photo essay in Banjo Newsletter of how an anonymous guy changed an RB-100 into a Mastertone, including changing the peghead from paddle to double-cut and re-inlaying the whole thing.
If the banjo has only three resonator thumbscrews and one coordinator rod, that would be consistent with 60s RB-250.
I think the 1960s RB-800 had dual rings on the resonator and was available with flying eagle. Gibson logo would have been the block guitar style. Also, I think the 800 was gold, so if the one on FB is nickel or chrome, it's not likely an 800. Probably modified. Or just a few Gibso parts. Or not Gibson at all.
What FB group was this in? I'd like to have a look.
>>What FB group was this in? I'd like to have a look.<<
Not a group. An individual's name and sorry I didn't do anything to help me remember it. Not sure I would have corrected him anyway. Just more or less asking for my personal info and knowledge of 60s, 250s.
Yes, I considered the neck change-out possibility, and it definitely was not gold plated. Didn't notice on the resonator thumb screws numbers.
If it pops up again, I will get us a name if the OP.
Bobby
quote:
Originally posted by BobbyENot a group. An individual's name and sorry I didn't do anything to help me remember it.
Found it.
Ashton Herrin.
Looks like a replacement neck. Curly maple. Also, it appears to have the undersized double-cut peghead that some people were making in the 70s. Maybe earlier. My main banjo, made in 1973, has one. The top portion is not as wide as on pre-war Gibsons. I think this inaccuracy started with a neck that Jim(?) Faulkner made for Earl Scruggs. I could be wrong. Somehow this design got around. The peghead being smaller in that area cramps the space for the inlays which is why the pieces that surround the tuners end up partly under the washers.
Others might need to be on Facebook to see it:
Edited by - Old Hickory on 08/05/2026 14:28:57
Ken,
Did 250 resonators have rings on them; either single or double? Glad you found it BTW.
Bobby
The bowties up until 1960-70 had two rings on the resonator. The redesigned semi RB 75 looking 250 had no rings, 1970 to the end of production.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Privacy Consent (EU/GDPR Only)
Copyright 2026 Banjo Hangout. All Rights Reserved.
