Hey Jim, Loved all the solid Gibson banjo info, but I'd have been happy just listening to you play. If you haven't made any vids on just you playing, please consider it!
Thanks Ronnie.....I am a ..."Happy Banjo Picker"!!! .....Playing Banjos like this one will make you Happy!!!... glad you like the banjo and the picking Ronnie.... JM
One of the best sounding clawhammer banjos I ever heard was owned and player by Bob Flesher at AugustaFest in West Virginia. The banjo did not have a metal tone ring at all the head set directly on the wood rim. I could not believe the sound of that banjo. Of coarse he is an expert clawhammer banjo player and banjo builder.
Jim can I get a decent Banjo for around $300 to learn on ? I'm a poor working Hillbilly from the Mountains of North Carolina ! Would be an Honor to meet you Some Day !
Is there any way I could get the information to the person who purchased this banjo? Or maybe you could give them mine? I would like to know what it would take to purchase it from them.. I'm a serious cash buyer, with cash in hand.. I'd really appreciate any help. I most definitely will make an offer.
Mr. Kirk McGee played a nice RB-11 during the 1930s, and later sold it to Bashful Brother Oswald. It ended up in Roy Acuff's Museum in Opryland (next to one of Uncle Dave Macon's lightweight Gibsons he used to throw about on stage), where it went from there I have no idea. I bought one from Curtis McPeake, back when nobody wanted them, and kept it for a while, but I was playing a lot of clawhammer which tends to be a bit rough for these banjos, so I traded it back for a Vega. One of the dumbest things I ever did. Thanks for showing it, it's a fine instrument, especially in your hands.
Thanks Royce....these fine old Pre War Gibson Banjos are really something.....they still inspire me to play.....even after all these years....Jim Mills
Tone rings, for the most part, are hyped up well beyond what they're truly worth. It's 4/26/2020 & if you're giving more than $350 for a ring (market value), you're paying for the name & the hype associated with it.
I've always felt that the component that most determines a banjo's tone, response and volume is the wood rim. I've played some that boasted fancy tone rings that failed to impress, and some super lightweight ones with simple or no tone rings that blew me away. The RB-11 played here proves that tone rings are optional and not mandatory!
What a banjer, and what a banjer picker! You da man Jim and I appreciate you sharing your rare finds with us. This is indeed a hoss cat! Ijust wish you would post more vids. Got any new recordings in the works?
i inherited one of these and found this video while trying to find information about it. I've never been a banjo player, but i feel like i need to learn it now. it seems disrespectful to just leave it sitting in the case.
Hi Jim! Big fan here! I have a style 5 conversion for sale right now that has Nickel hardware instead of gold. The parts are all pre war though, and the real interesting thing is the tension hoop is an original 5 string! I was told they may have just grabbed what they had on the shelf at the factory, either that or someone swapped out the gold parts of this style five with some other nickel 5 string. Anyways it’s on eBay right now if you know anyone who wants it. The tension hoop is the big selling point that I think most people won’t get. Do you think I should sell it with the banjo or separately? Thanks
Hello Luke.....let me make this clear.....this "is not Earl Scruggs' banjo at all".....it is another 1930's Gibson RB-11 very much like the Gibson RB-11 banjo that Earl Scruggs first recorded with in 1946.....JM
Jim Mills correct me if I'm wrong Jim, but didn't Earl's banjo also have the smaller tone hoop? I think in 1937 Gibson starting producing RB-11s with an arch top size tone hoop sitting in a groove on the top of the rim. From the pictures I've seen, Earl's banjo was one of these. Thanks for a great post! Love your playing!
Hello Joe.....and you're absolutely correct.....for whatever reason.... around 1937 Gibson decided to decrease the diameter of the tone hoop in the Style 11's....making them an arch top... rather than a flathead.....and Earl's was of the later arch top type.....as a matter of fact... I just sold another 1930's RB-11 identical to Earl's...only a few weeks ago....complete with its arch top tone hoop.....JM
Jim, is there any notable reason why some of the RB-11's have one of the pedals on the resonator pointing straight up the neck (as with the one you have here), while others have the inlay on the resonator rotated 45 degrees? (For example - bit.ly/2obJ6RS)?
Hello Justin....and thank you for your interest....concerning the differences in the flower motif on the style 11's....I can't say I know of any reason in particular other than ....the inlay patterns on many different Pre War Gibson banjo models vary greatly throughout the Pre WWII era....and I believe they (the factory workers) weren't that concerned very much about a slight variance at the time.....and would have never imagined that some 80+ years later.....that collectors/players like us would be critiquing and studying every facet of these old banjos today!!!!....it sure is fun to note these differences though...Thank you again Justin...JM
Got that good Earl sound on that banjo.
Glad you share these finds with us .Thanks a bunch love watching them. Killer banjo.
Wow Jim, what a great insight into this lovely instrument so many thanks
Wealth of information, Thank You sir !!!
RIP just bought me a banjo... You are so missed. ❤😢
😢
Thank you Jim! Both informative and oh so entertaining.
R.I.P Jim Mills. 12/18/66 - 5/4/24
Hey Jim, Loved all the solid Gibson banjo info, but I'd have been happy just listening to you play. If you haven't made any vids on just you playing, please consider it!
Jim you are one happy banjo picker .... great sounding banjo indeed and a great operator behind it ... would love to have that thing
Thanks Ronnie.....I am a ..."Happy Banjo Picker"!!! .....Playing Banjos like this one will make you Happy!!!... glad you like the banjo and the picking Ronnie.... JM
One of the best sounding clawhammer banjos I ever heard was owned and player by Bob Flesher at AugustaFest in West Virginia. The banjo did not have a metal tone ring at all the head set directly on the wood rim. I could not believe the sound of that banjo. Of coarse he is an expert clawhammer banjo player and banjo builder.
These old banjos just sound so much better unfortunately I can't afford anything like that
What a beautiful piece of work! May I have one of those beautys ? I'll leave cookies and milk for you.
Jim you’re nutssss man
Mr Mills I really enjoyed watching all your video's I just wish I could play half as good as you are I'd be happy your great thanks again Ronnie
Thank you all for your interest in these fine old Original Pre War Gibson Banjos.....This 1930's RB-11 has ...SOLD.....JM
Jim can I get a decent Banjo for around $300 to learn on ? I'm a poor working Hillbilly from the Mountains of North Carolina ! Would be an Honor to meet you Some Day !
Is there any way I could get the information to the person who purchased this banjo?
Or maybe you could give them mine?
I would like to know what it would take to purchase it from them..
I'm a serious cash buyer, with cash in hand..
I'd really appreciate any help.
I most definitely will make an offer.
@@coycalloway9557 Sir. Buy a Recording King for around 400-550 bucks. They're a good banjo . Check em out.
@@michaelangelo9024 recording King are a Greg Rich banjo. He is the man that helped bring back to reputation of Gibson banjos
You are the master of banjo tone.
Thanks Aaron....these old banjos are a true JOY to play...JM
RIP Jim Mills...
Mr. Kirk McGee played a nice RB-11 during the 1930s, and later sold it to Bashful Brother Oswald. It ended up in Roy Acuff's Museum in Opryland (next to one of Uncle Dave Macon's lightweight Gibsons he used to throw about on stage), where it went from there I have no idea. I bought one from Curtis McPeake, back when nobody wanted them, and kept it for a while, but I was playing a lot of clawhammer which tends to be a bit rough for these banjos, so I traded it back for a Vega. One of the dumbest things I ever did. Thanks for showing it, it's a fine instrument, especially in your hands.
Loved it!!!
That fingerboard 😍
Jim, your right hand has some pre war magic dust on it...that's the big thing...Sounds real good.
Thanks Royce....these fine old Pre War Gibson Banjos are really something.....they still inspire me to play.....even after all these years....Jim Mills
I've got one that used to belong to my dad
What punch! Who says a tone ring is a must?! Great banjo, great find! Keep at it, Jim!
Tone rings, for the most part, are hyped up well beyond what they're truly worth. It's 4/26/2020 & if you're giving more than $350 for a ring (market value), you're paying for the name & the hype associated with it.
I've always felt that the component that most determines a banjo's tone, response and volume is the wood rim. I've played some that boasted fancy tone rings that failed to impress, and some super lightweight ones with simple or no tone rings that blew me away. The RB-11 played here proves that tone rings are optional and not mandatory!
If I acquired those beautiful banjos I would never be able to part with them... that's why my house is full of guitars and banjos.there like my family
Thanks Jim!
What a banjer, and what a banjer picker! You da man Jim and I appreciate you sharing your rare finds with us. This is indeed a hoss cat! Ijust wish you would post more vids. Got any new recordings in the works?
Thanks guys.....I'm so glad you like this old RB-11......it's really an inspiring banjo to play! JM
i inherited one of these and found this video while trying to find information about it. I've never been a banjo player, but i feel like i need to learn it now. it seems disrespectful to just leave it sitting in the case.
This guys a good talker/speaker/communicater....whatever you want to call it..lol
What a sound!!
Thanks Matthew and Sam.....glad you like it. ....I do too!...JM
Jim please make more videos
He’s dead now
My 1931 RB11 is so similar!
I'm assuming the Recording King RK-60 would be not really be a knock off, but a salute to the RB-11? Jim what can you tell me about that?
Jim - I know I should know this but what is the song you are playing at the end of the video? And also thanks for all you do with these old banjos!
Hi Jim! Big fan here! I have a style 5 conversion for sale right now that has Nickel hardware instead of gold. The parts are all pre war though, and the real interesting thing is the tension hoop is an original 5 string! I was told they may have just grabbed what they had on the shelf at the factory, either that or someone swapped out the gold parts of this style five with some other nickel 5 string. Anyways it’s on eBay right now if you know anyone who wants it. The tension hoop is the big selling point that I think most people won’t get. Do you think I should sell it with the banjo or separately? Thanks
Camp creek wv here..what a picker you are Jim Mills.
Jim Mills is FANTASTIC My home town is Princeton WVA
Clay wv here
A music store that only sells banjo's!! Where can I find this place
Curtis Shaw North Carolina
What song did Jim play at the end ? Been wanting to learn it
The song Jim played was Fireball Mail, which Earl Scruggs recorded.
That's Purdy,,,😍😋
Doesn’t “RB” mean “regular banjo?”
Dude!!! I think your fingers are on steroids!!!! Amazing!!!
Thanks Ben!....that was a really great old banjo..... that sold to a great guy! JM
Dang man where did you get earl scruggs banjo?
Hello Luke.....let me make this clear.....this "is not Earl Scruggs' banjo at all".....it is another 1930's Gibson RB-11 very much like the Gibson RB-11 banjo that Earl Scruggs first recorded with in 1946.....JM
Yeah I know, I was just joking, I was saying it sounds realllly good
Jim Mills correct me if I'm wrong Jim, but didn't Earl's banjo also have the smaller tone hoop? I think in 1937 Gibson starting producing RB-11s with an arch top size tone hoop sitting in a groove on the top of the rim. From the pictures I've seen, Earl's banjo was one of these. Thanks for a great post! Love your playing!
Hello Joe.....and you're absolutely correct.....for whatever reason.... around 1937 Gibson decided to decrease the diameter of the tone hoop in the Style 11's....making them an arch top... rather than a flathead.....and Earl's was of the later arch top type.....as a matter of fact... I just sold another 1930's RB-11 identical to Earl's...only a few weeks ago....complete with its arch top tone hoop.....JM
Here is a pic I shared on FB recently. facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1899863870275688&set=pcb.1899864240275651&type=3&theater
Jim, is there any notable reason why some of the RB-11's have one of the pedals on the resonator pointing straight up the neck (as with the one you have here), while others have the inlay on the resonator rotated 45 degrees? (For example - bit.ly/2obJ6RS)?
Hello Justin....and thank you for your interest....concerning the differences in the flower motif on the style 11's....I can't say I know of any reason in particular other than ....the inlay patterns on many different Pre War Gibson banjo models vary greatly throughout the Pre WWII era....and I believe they (the factory workers) weren't that concerned very much about a slight variance at the time.....and would have never imagined that some 80+ years later.....that collectors/players like us would be critiquing and studying every facet of these old banjos today!!!!....it sure is fun to note these differences though...Thank you again Justin...JM
Jim, what do you think of the No hole Flathead Tone Ring?
I love them ....and currently own 2 Original 1930's "No Hole" Flathead Style 3's...JM
In my opinion, they lack some sustain, but they make up for it by having the knockdown power of a bulldozer.
Do you info Sigma Bangor
Jim, I will keep my Huber. For $6400.00 it's a really good sounding Banjo.
Roger...even though I don't know you.....if you're happy ...I'm happy for you. JM
jim? what's different with Flathead and Archtop?
What’s the price tag?