For Sale: 1933 Gibson RB-1 "Mastertone" Original 5 string Banjo #9527-16

1933 Gibson RB-1 "Mastertone" Original 5 string Banjo #9527-16

I bought this banjo from Winnie Winston in 1963
It was stolen from my New York apartment in 1966
One piece flange probably from the 50's
20 hole flathead tone ring from 50's ???? most folks opinion.
Winnie installed it in 1960 or so.
All gold plated.
Granada tension hoop from the 20's.
Original RB-1 neck and rim with original Mastertone Label !
The batch is listed in Spann's guide as RB-1's having these labels.


Amazingly, I found it and got it back! I had proof that it was stolen and agreed to pay the person who had bought it what they paid for it.
And it is still all as it was when it was stolen (except for the inside of the resonator to erase the serial number there) and now back home again
And it has got THE SOUND.
A fellow hangout member gave me this link that I hadn't known about with a lot of information from Winnie about his career and this banjo.

julianwinston.com/music/me_and...banjo.php

I have played this banjo as my main one for many years but even though I'm still younger than the banjo (born in 44) I can't handle the weight any more so I play an RB-11 with no tone ring and it's not as loud but sounds fine for my occasional use.
This one has a Calton case and nice case cover. Weighs a ton.
Price: $15,500.00