Gibson J.D. Crowe RB-75 Reviews

Gibson J.D. Crowe RB-75 submitted 7/20/2008 Submitter dorse (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Individual Year Purchased (2002 Model) 2008 Price Paid 2400 ($US) (bought USED) Sound Rich, full sound, with a small amount of brightness, and great crack. Sound Rating 10 Setup This banjo had mostly sat in its case since it was made. I had to do a complete set up on it, i.e adjust neck pitch and adjust truss rod. I changed the original Remo USA head to a Snuffy Smith because the Remo was very lightly frosted. Setup Rating 6 Appearance Absoultely handsome banjo. Perfect in every way--not one scratch. Appearance Rating 10 Reliability I expect this instrument to be around for many generations to come. Reliability Rating 10 Customer Service I'm not the original owner so the warranty does not apply to me. I've never tried to send it in for repair. Customer Service not rated Components This banjo sat around in its case for most of its life. The tuners turned very hard and rough because of this. However, after an application of 3 in 1 Oil, and almost constant use, they've loosened right up and are working as they should be. Components Rating 10 Overall Comments This banjo seems to weigh less than other Gibson models that I've played. The neck is smaller and feels better than other Gibson models. It has the tone that one would associate with J.D. Crowe. I'm very happy with this banjo and hope to get a lifetime of use from it. I got an incredible deal on this banjo. These are hard to find and to get one in mint condition is unheard of. I prefer the standard looks of the RB-75 over the too flashy Blackjack. (If you can't afford a Gibson, a Gold Star is almost as good in quality and if it's setup right will sound just as good.) Overall Rating 10

Gibson J.D. Crowe RB-75 submitted 2/25/2007 Submitter Majorbanjo (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased JDMC Year Purchased 2002 Price Paid 2900 ($US) Sound Sounded great. It was a little tight and green at first, but with about 6 months of playing really opened up into a fine banjo..from video recording it sounds as good as any new banjo I've owned. Sound Rating 10 Setup Set up was good..the gibson frets were a little bigger than I was used to and had I kept the banjo any longer I would have had the frets dressed to tone them down a little, but the action was great in any position. Setup Rating 9 Appearance Perfect. Flying eagle inlay is one of my favorites and this was executed flawlessly..the concentric rings on the reso were perfect there were no finish flaws..the banjo was very well put together. Appearance Rating 10 Reliability Great...I had it for two years with no problems... Reliability Rating 10 Customer Service not evaluated. Customer Service 10 Components great Components Rating 10 Overall Comments I don't know why folks give gibson a hard time..this was as fine a new banjo as I've owned.....I sold it to buy a Huber and sometimes wish I had it back.... Overall Rating 10

Gibson J.D. Crowe RB-75 submitted 6/19/2005 Submitter Unknown Where Purchased Morrell Music Kingsport Tn Year Purchased 1999 Price Paid 2400.00 ($US) Sound When I found this one I knew it had a little something special despite the inferior setup. Notes were surprisingly clean up the neck with a nice bottom end to boot! Sound Rating 8 Setup Definately needed attention when I bought it. Basically all I had to do was lower string action a bit, tighten the head and replace the bridge with one of Snuffy's style 2 bridges at the time. I recently changed to the style 3 bridge which made a world of difference as far as "punch" goes Setup Rating 3 Appearance Mahogany finish was pleasing to my eyes. Nothing to complain about in that department! Appearance Rating 9 Reliability I switched from my older Granada to the "75" after I got it where I wanted it. With a minimum of care this should last a person a lifetime! Use it all the time without a backup! Reliability Rating 10 Customer Service Customer Service not rated Components Nothing abnormal at all.. Setup just not to my standard at first which is not all all out of reason Components Rating 8 Overall Comments This one is real close to my"perfect" instrument..The one everybody dreams about. Stacks up well compared to most all II have owned and played. Overall Rating 9

Gibson J.D. Crowe RB-75 submitted 6/13/2005 Submitter jpwatts (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Private Seller Year Purchased 2005 Price Paid 2000 ($US) (bought USED) Sound This is a great sounding banjo. Excellent low end and rings like a bell all the way up the neck Sound Rating 9 Setup Banjo needed a bridge so I put an Emerson Vintage Tone on it - great sound Setup Rating 9 Appearance Nice mahogony, Flying Eagle inlay, as usual great Gibson eye appeal Appearance Rating 9 Reliability Banjo is solid and fit is great - Will last a lifetime Reliability Rating 9 Customer Service N/A Customer Service not rated Components I may put a Fults tailpiece on it to see if the sound can be enhanced a bit and of course the Emerson bridge. Components Rating 9 Overall Comments The only banjo I've played and liked more is a 1935 RB-3. I will play this Banjo for a very long time. Overall Rating 9

Gibson J.D. Crowe RB-75 submitted 11/2/2004 Submitter Stevespickn (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Mountain View Music Year Purchased 2004 Price Paid xxxx ($US) Sound The sound is what I was looking for. It has great tone, a dry big note, with enough volume that the notes do not over ride each other. Sound Rating 10 Setup I am used to standard spacing of the bridge, so I changed to a Sosbee bridge from the Crowe soacing. I had to tighten the screws in the tuners. I did go with medium strings, 10-12-14-22. Setup Rating 10 Appearance I love the old look. I think that is one thing that sets it apart from other Gibsons, also other brands. Appearance Rating 10 Reliability I have never had any failures with Gibson products, do not expect any this time. Reliability Rating 10 Customer Service Not used any yet. Customer Service 9 Components It has to be the Crowe Tone Ring. Components Rating 10 Overall Comments I have insurance on it. I'd get another ASAP. Overall Rating 10

Gibson J.D. Crowe RB-75 submitted 9/1/2004 Submitter machinist (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Fullers Vintage, Houston, TX Year Purchased 2004 Price Paid A Lot ($US) Sound This thing cracks with that deep tubby sound, very loud. Sound Rating 10 Setup Action is a little high but that is no problem. everything else is the way i like it. Setup Rating 10 Appearance It is a very nice looking banjo, I like the looks of the scruggs better but the sound of this thing had me. Appearance Rating 8 Reliability don't know yet Reliability Rating not rated Customer Service Perfect, with Fullers. Have not had to talk to gibso Customer Service 10 Components Class A Components Rating 10 Overall Comments I can't say enough about the sound of this banjo. I am a new player and it was hard to pay this much for a banjo but its worth it. I would do it again. Overall Rating not rated

Gibson J.D. Crowe RB-75 submitted 5/3/2004 Submitter Mike Casey (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased fuller'svintageguitar.com Year Purchased 2004 Price Paid 3500 ($US) Sound I played two of these banjos before I selected the one I wanted. Both were very good and the selection process was hard. The sound is more like an old Gibson than a new Gibson. It has that certain dry, crack often associated with the pre-war banjos. It is a loud banjo but it has a sweetness to the tone that keeps it from being harsh. It is full, rich and loud. My experience with Gibson's goes back to 1970 and during that time I've owned and played both pre-war (archtops) and later model flatheads. Sound Rating 10 Setup The factory setup suffered some in the transit from Nashville to the springtime temperatures and humidity in Houston. I had to tighten the head (several times), reset the neck relief and dress two frets that were causing slight buzzes. Overall the setup was good from the factory. The usual weathering in of the banjo was normal and it has now setteled in and continues to improve. Setup Rating 9 Appearance This is a new look for Gibson from their old style inlay pattern to the burnished copper flashed gold plating. The style 6 tonering, the Granada armrest and the tailpiece are engraved. The plating is not the usual bright shiney type, but more subdued. It looks as though it was brushed on. I think the old style copper flashed plating process adds to the look and the tone of the banjo. The biggest impact feature to me is the Appearance Rating 10 Reliability This is a Gibson Mastertone. It is reliable, stable and I'd play it without a backup banjo anytime. Reliability Rating Customer Service I have not had to use the standard Gibson warranty. Customer Service not rated Components This is an excellent banjo featuring what I think is the best tonering Gibson offers, the J.D. Crowe. The copper flashed gold plating on a mahogany banjo is new for Gibson and I think should have been done as a regular production banjo long ago. Components Rating 10 Overall Comments This is a fine banjo from A to Z. If you're looking for a great looking and sounding Gibson banjo, an old sounding banjo, I'd recommend you give this model serious consideration. Overall Rating 10

Gibson J.D. Crowe RB-75 submitted 4/3/2004 Submitter Unknown Where Purchased Sam Ash Year Purchased 2004 Price Paid Don't Remember historic exchange rates / currency converter Sound The RB-75 is everything it is supposed to be with a rich-full sound that makes this Banjo hard to beat. Sound Rating 10 Setup I immediately took my banjo to a professional for his opinion and to set up for me. There was some minor work, including the nut, bridge and installing minature H2 railroad ties to capo the 5th string. He was very impressed with this banjo and charged me $40.00. He said Setup Rating Appearance Mahogany Wood, Beautiful inlays, Nad very nice finish, I went over this banjo with a Magnifying glass...There were no flaws Appearance Rating 10 Reliability This banjo will last you a lifetime, you will never need to buy another Reliability Rating 10 Customer Service I bought it with a 45 day money back 100 % guarnateed satisfaction and it has a lifetime warranty to the original owner frpm Gibson Customer Service 10 Components Wouldn't replace a thing Components Rating 10 Overall Comments If something happen to my banjo there is no question I would go but another just like it Overall Rating 10

Gibson J.D. Crowe RB-75 submitted 1/15/2003 Submitter taylor_414ce (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased wildwood music roscoe village ohio Year Purchased 2003 Price Paid 2400.00 ($US) Sound Wow! I have never felt so good playing on a banjo..its sounds so rich and the playability is so groove!Its beautiful to look at as well ,, hope you dig! Sound Rating 10 Setup This banjo was ready to go from the moment I tried it out.Don & Marty at Wildwood music in roscoe ohio are the best. Setup Rating 10 Appearance This is a beautiful instrument,and will be proudly passed down to generations to come. Appearance Rating 10 Reliability Oh! way cool on the ware... its vintage style is the stuff.. pearl pegs and the classic structure are the stuff. Reliability Rating 10 Customer Service This gibson jd crowe has a lifetime deal, and as far as the company I purchased it thru,, they are the best. Customer Service 10 Components Well,,,its a gibson... what more can you say. As like martin and taylor,, the workmanship is why we pay the price for their instruments..way cool ! nothing needs changed. Components Rating 10 Overall Comments Well,,,, the have to get passed the 12 english mastiffs we have to take it lol ! but yes i love mah banjer! I have owned a pre war gibson,and really , this jd crowe is the same in sound quality and as far as cosmetics,, its really purty ! There is always insurance to help with the lost or stolen>There is so much good to say about it>> I dont have any regrets|. Overall Rating 10

Gibson J.D. Crowe RB-75 submitted 4/15/2002 Submitter Unknown Where Purchased pickngrin knoxville,tn Year Purchased 2002 Price Paid 2500.00 ($US) Sound took it home adjusted the tail peace,tuned the head to g,put a snuffy smith .656 crowe bridge on it and i can't set it down the best ive ever played Sound Rating 10 Setup took it home adjusted the tail peace,tuned the head to g,put a snuffy smith .656 crowe bridge on it and i can't set it down the best ive ever played Setup Rating 5 Appearance great work nice finish love the old look tuner key's Appearance Rating 9 Reliability yes Reliability Rating 8 Customer Service Customer Service 8 Components Components Rating not rated Overall Comments the best out of 5 banjo's that ive owned gibson,vega,washburne,rich@taylor Overall Rating not rated

Gibson J.D. Crowe RB-75 submitted 2/14/2002 Submitter tpulver (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Elderly Instruments Year Purchased 2002 Price Paid 2000 ($US) (bought USED) Sound Nice sound. Excellent tone up the neck. Very warm mahogany sound overall, but still able to punch out the sound in a crowd. Sound Rating 9 Setup Setup by Elderly and then shipped to me. Just had to set the bridge and tune. Good low action and overall good setup, however after playing it for a couple months I feel like taking it in to be re-setup to address some minor buzzing/ringing. Might be me, though. Setup Rating 7 Appearance Great looking banjo, it gets a lot of compliments. The inlays are very nice - fancy but not overly ornate. I also really like the ivoroid buttons instead of the more common pearloid ones, and the concentric rings in back are a nice extra. Good traditional-looking banjo. Appearance Rating 9 Reliability I've only had it for a bit, but it seems very well made and sturdy. Reliability Rating 9 Customer Service No experience. Customer Service not rated Components Has the Shubb 5th string capo, which I really like. Easy to use. Components Rating 9 Overall Comments Overall a great banjo, but not my cup of tea. I ended up selling it and replacing it with a Stelling, which I find easier to play and brighter sounding. Just my personal preference, as I know that many players love this model. Overall Rating 9