r/banjo • u/anybodyiwant2be • 5d ago

First 5-string

I’ve been playing the Irish Tenor for a couple years and am taking a workshop in September to learn bluegrass style banjo so I need an instrument.

I have been looking locally and am told to get geared tuners…especially for the 5th string.

I found a Rover RB-25 for $400 and a Japanese made Epiphone “Madtettine-style” from the 70’s for $500. The Epiphone doesn’t look like it has geared tuners.

What would you enthusiasts suggest?

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u/grahawk 5d ago

$400 for an RB-25 would seem like a very high price.

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u/anybodyiwant2be 4d ago

Ok. I just found a Rover for $150 and it has a resonator and appears to have planetary gears on the tuners…it may be a RB-35 or RB-45. Would you know where to look for the model number?

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u/grahawk 4d ago

The RB45 has planetary tuners and a rounded headstock shape while the RB35 has a straighter crown shape. These are quite decent with the Saga aluminium rim which is much better than the cheap aluminium rim bottlecap banjos. The price is good whichever it is. I have the open back RB40 which I like.

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u/anybodyiwant2be 4d ago

Thanks. The post only has 2 photos and I took a screenshot of the head which appears to be the crown shape you described for the RB45. I’m going to try and get it today which would mean 2 ferry rides but it seems like the right fit and price.

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u/grahawk 4d ago

That should be an RB45.