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Styles of Gibson Banjos

Styles of Gibson Banjos thumbnail
Most Gibson banjos are built with nickel-plated hardware.

Gibson is a world renown guitar and banjo manufacturer. The company has been producing banjos since 1918 and is responsible for inventing an adjustable truss rod for banjos. The adjustable truss rod prevents the banjo's neck from warping and bowing from string tension. At the time of publishing, Gibson offers 13 models, including several collector's edition banjos.

  1. RB Series

    • Gibson's RB series is a collection of banjos with five strings. Three RB models are available: RB-250, RB-3 and RB-75. The first number in the model name denotes the quality of the instrument --- the higher the number, the better the quality. Each RB series banjo is built with a Remo 11-inch medium crown head, which is the vibrating surface of the banjo, a mahogany resonator, a 26.4-inch scale and nickel-plated hardware. The RB-250 is based on Gibson's line of Mastertone banjos from the 1950s and '70s, while the RB-3 is based on models from the 1920s and '30s. Both models have mahogany brown, gloss lacquer finishes. The RB-75, which is the most expensive and highest quality RB model, is based on prewar designs and is finished in brown amber with vintage lacquer.

    Earl Scruggs Series

    • Gibson's Earl Scruggs series includes four models: Standard, Golden Deluxe, Flint Hill Special and The Super Earl. Some models were designed by Earl Scruggs and Gibson, while others are tributes to Scruggs. Each banjo features five strings, a 26.4-inch scale, double-cut peghead and Remo 11-inch medium crown.

      The Standard was developed in 1984 and is the most affordable model. It is a replica of Scruggs' Granada banjo, features hearts and flowers inlays, nickel-plated hardware and is finished in exact replica amber brown with glossy lacquer. The resonator is made from three-ply maple.

      The Golden Deluxe was developed in 1992 and features gold-plated hardware. The resonator is made from three-ply maple. This banjo is finished in exact replica antique amber brown and glossy lacquer.

      The Flint Hill Special is a commemorative limited edition banjo that celebrates the 50-year anniversary of Scruggs' first album. It features gold-plated hardware, a figured maple resonator and an exact replica antique amber brown finish with gloss lacquer.

      The Super Earl is the most expensive banjo in the series and is a tribute model dedicated to Scruggs. This collector's model features Scruggs' autograph, a hand-drawn portrait of Scruggs and silver-plated hardware. The resonator is made from three-ply rosewood.

    Style Series

    • The Style series includes the Style 1 Custom and Style 5 Deluxe banjos. Both are limited edition models. The Style 1 Custom is limited to 15 banjos. Both banjos feature five strings, a Remo 11-inch medium crown head and a 26.4-inch scale.

      The Style 1 Custom is the most affordable model in the series. It produces a tone similar to the RB-250 and RB-75, since it uses the same Mastertone tone ring, which is the part the banjo's head sits on. The resonator is made from mahogany with concentric rings and the banjo is finished in rich amber brown with gloss lacquer.

      The Style 5 Deluxe was designed by Gibson and Bernie Leadon, a founding member of The Eagles. The resonator is made from figured maple with marquetry concentric rings. It produces a tone similar to the RB-75, since it uses the RB-75 tone ring. The banjo is finished in goldenrod with gloss lacquer.

    Granada Hearts & Flowers Series

    • The Granada Hearts & Flowers and Limited Edition Vintage Granada Hearts and Flowers banjos are built with three-ply maple resonators, Remo 11-inch Medium Crown heads and 26.4-inch scales. Both banjos are finished in rich amber brown with gloss lacquer.

      The Granada Hearts & Flowers is based on the Gibson Granada banjos from 1925. It features a Mastertone tone ring and gold-plated hardware. It produces a clear, yet warm, tone.

      The Limited Edition Vintage Granada Hearts and Flowers banjo is limited to 20 pieces worldwide. Its design is based on prewar Gibson Granada banjos and is handmade in Nashville, Tennessee. It features the RB-75 tone ring and copper-plated hardware.

    J.D. Crowe Black Jack

    • The J.D. Crowe Black Jack was designed by Gibson and J.D. Crowe, a famous American bluegrass banjo player. The banjo features the RB-75 tone ring, Remo 11-inch medium crown head and a 26.4-inch scale. It is built with a three-ply mahogany resonator and satin gold-plated hardware. It produces a clear tone all the way up the neck and is finished in mahogany brown with gloss lacquer.

    Christmas Banjo

    • The Christmas Banjo is limited to 12 pieces worldwide and is embellished with hollies. Each banjo features a different holiday-themed inlay on the 12th fret. It is built with a figured maple resonator, Mastertone tone ring, Remo 11-inch medium crown head and gold-plated hardware. It features a 26.4-inch scale and is finished in Christmas brown with gloss lacquer.

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