A Comparison between the Gibson RB Deluxe and the RB250 Banjos

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A Comparison between the Gibson RB Deluxe and the RB250 Banjos
The RB Deluxe Banjo is a brand new model for 2005 from Gibson.
The RB250 and the new RB Deluxe banjo are both post World War II models. Both banjos include the same pot assembly and metal components which are included in the higher priced Gibson Reissue banjos, including the 1930's vintage reissue bell bronze tone ring. The finish on these banjos is a high gloss lacquer, as with all of the Gibson banjos.
The RB 250 is mahogany/ebony with a dark mahogany finish and white binding.
The RB Deluxe is of figured maple/ebony with natural blond gloss finish and black binding.

RB Deluxe:
The RB Deluxe is built with a figured maple neck and resonator, like the Granada and the Earl Scruggs models, and also includes a genuine ebony fingerboard. The finish on the RB Deluxe is natural, rather than dark, with the standard high gloss lacquer used on all Gibson banjos. This natural gloss finish is one of the truly unique features for this model, and it is beautiful. The inlay pattern in the fingerboard is of tiny snowflakes of mother of pearl. The peghead shape is the referred to as the "double cut" peghead, which was used on many of the 1930's Gibson banjos, including the RB3, RB4 and the Granada models. The resonator is bound with black binding, to enhance the contrast with the blond figured maple neck and resonator. The overall appearance of the RB Deluxe banjo is one of understated elegance.

RB 250:
The RB250 is mahogany, with an ebony fingerboard which has the distinctive RB250 inlay pattern in mother of pearl. The peghead shape is referred to as the "fiddle" cut peghead. The RB250 Mastertone includes the vintage Gibson 1930's prewar reissue tone ring, which is the heart of sound of the Gibson banjos.

ALL GIBSON BANJOS:
All of the Gibson banjos (except the RB75) have the state of the art 1930's Gibson pre-war reissue tone ring and the 3-ply hardrock maple rim, which is so important to the sound of the Gibson banjos. As the banjos increase in price, the cosmetics and ornateness changes.

DIFFERENCES between the RB Deluxe & the RB 250:
The primary differences between the RB Deluxe and the RB250 are:

Neck & Resonator:
•RB Deluxe: Figured Maple
•RB250: Mahogany

Mother of Pearl Fingerboard Inlay pattern:
•RB Deluxe: Snowflakes (mother of pearl)
•RB250: RB250/RB3 standard inlay pattern

Binding
•RB Deluxe: Black binding
•RB250: White binding

Peghead Shape:
•RB Deluxe: Double Cut
•RB250: Fiddle Cut

Tone (Sound):
The tone quality and sound is very similar between these two banjos, and both are very responsive and easy to play with a tonal clarity all the way up the fingerboard. These banjos ring like a bell. The only real difference in sound is affected by the maple versus the mahogany. Both are state of the art woods for tone.

The RB Deluxe List Price $2554.00 SPECIAL: $2298.60

The RB250 List: $3332.00 SPECIAL: $2998.00

Both are outstanding banjos which should be a lifetime investment for any musician.

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