GIBSON STYLE 6 CHECKERBOARD 5 STRING BANJO MINT. Steve Huber was commissioned to construct this banjo to most of the specifications of the original Gibson Style six Checkerboard five string banjo, unlike the Gibson $10,000 retail re-issue that was less true to the original. The rim is a Cox Hard Rock Maple 3/4" rim. The tone ring is a Huber 24k gold plated Vintage model that Huber is famous for. All of the metal parts are from Huber Banjo Co. with the exception of the two piece flange which was purchased from First Quality Music in Louisville KY. The Machine Heads are Five Stars. Huber did the Gold plating in an antique 24k design, and commissioned Nick Kimmons to do the gun metal engraving that is the pattern true to the original. The Gibson re-issue was a one piece flange with shiny Gold plating and laser engraved in a pattern untrue to the original, which had a two piece flange. Kimmons initials are engraved on the inside of the arm rest. The neck is a one piece Hard Rock Tiger Stripe Maple with some of the nicest flame I have ever seen. The Maple resonator is a one piece back that matches the neck, with some of the most spectacular flame one could hope for. Like the original, this banjo has a clamshell tailpiece. I had the banjo set up by the finest luthier in the Bay Area who cut a great Mother of Pearl Nut, and a custom bridge saddle. It has an excellent easy to adjust Truss Rod. Simply put the Banjo plays and sounds like a dream. It is a cannon with complex overtones and excellent dynamic range, all the way up the neck, with distinct note separation, that is missing on many banjos today. The tone is pre-war all day long and the combination of the Cox rim and the Huber Gold plated vintage tone ring works extremely well. The inlays are spectacular and in general the fit and finish of this banjo is second to none. The neck profile is round from the first fret up to about the ninth and then progressively flattens out slightly toward the bottom of the neck making it very easy to fret the fifth string with your thumb. It is artfully done and one of the finest necks I have seen. This a one of a kind treasure and better sounding and better made than the Gibson re-issue which I owned and sold. The Gibson re-issue listed for $12,000 and sold retail for $10,000 new. This treasure can be bought for $5,500 until I change my mind and raise the price or take it off the market. It just doesn't get any better than this. HSC
