Gibson Banjos for Sale
Banjo Warehouse is one of the few specialty dealers in the country that consistently carries authentic Gibson Mastertone banjos from every era. Our pre-war Gibsons are the flathead and archtop Mastertones built by the Gibson company in Kalamazoo, Michigan between the 1920s and 1942, widely considered the gold standard in bluegrass; players like Earl Scruggs, J.D. Crowe, Ralph Stanley, Don Reno, and Sonny Osborne built the bluegrass sound on them.
On the postwar side, we carry Gibsons from 1948 through the reissue era, right up until Gibson stopped manufacturing banjos in 2010. Our Gibson inventory also typically includes prewar tenor and plectrum conversions: original-rim and resonator instruments with prewar flanges and hardware that have been converted to five-string necks and sometimes cut for flathead tone rings. Every Gibson we sell is professionally set up by our banjo tech Tara before it ships. We ship free within the United States. Every instrument is carefully packed, fully insured, and arrives ready to play.
For the full history of Gibson Mastertone banjos, tone rings, and pre-war values, read our Gibson Mastertone banjo guide, or find out what a pre-war Gibson banjo is worth.
Looking for a Gibson you don’t see listed? We always have more Gibsons in the shop than appear online. Our restoration and setup work is detailed and time-intensive, so we don’t post a banjo until it’s truly ready to play. Models moving through that process right now include the RB-4, RB-3, RB-250 in various eras, the Earl Scruggs Standard and Standard Deluxe, prewar TB-1 and TB-11, custom shop models, the RB-18, and a TB-150 conversion, among others. If you have your eye on a particular Gibson, call Geoff at 404-218-8580 or email thebanjowarehouse@gmail.com and we’ll do our best to move it to the front of the line for you.
A 1988 Gibson Earl Scruggs Standard from the sought-after Greg Rich era. Serial number 1209, among the first hundred of the new model, and signed by Greg Rich on the head and inside the rim. Curly maple neck and resonator, AFP Kulesh tone ring, Gibson Keith tuners, in very good condition from a collector. Set up by our banjo tech Tara and shipped with its original Gibson USA case and a custom Greg Rich pickguard.
A 1989 Gibson Earl Scruggs Standard from the sought-after Greg Rich era. Curly maple neck and resonator, a Kulesh tone ring, and an ebony fingerboard with hearts and flowers inlay. It is a used vintage banjo that looks and sounds great, with honest finish crackling on the resonator and some flange tarnish, and the frets have been redressed. Set up by our banjo tech Tara and shipped with its original brown case with pink lining.
A 1990 Gibson RB-4 from the sought-after Greg Rich era, a genuine Gibson "Mastertone" flathead. Its neck and resonator are the burl walnut these RB-4s are known for, and it carries a Kulesh tone ring with original nickel plated hardware. It is a used vintage banjo that presents beautifully, with one small honest finish flaw below the bottom two tuners, finish only, no damage to the wood or inlay. Purchased from its original owner, set up by our banjo tech Tara, and shipped with its original case.
This longneck openback RB-175 Gibson banjo is from the late 1960s or early 1970s. It has three extra frets which allow banjoists and singers to play in open E.
Why Gibson Mastertones Matter
Gibson's Granada, RB-3, RB-4, and RB-75 Mastertones from the prewar era are the instruments Earl Scruggs, J.D. Crowe, Ralph Stanley, Sonny Osborne, Bill Emerson, and Jim Mills built their sounds on. The flathead tone ring, introduced by Gibson around 1930, produces the focused, cutting tone that defines bluegrass banjo. Prewar flathead Mastertones are the holy grail of bluegrass banjos, and the finest examples regularly sell for $75,000 and above.
Geoff Hohwald has been studying, buying, and selling Gibson banjos for more than 50 years. He can tell a 1929 archtop from a 1937 flathead by ear, explain what makes a particular tone ring exceptional, and give you an honest assessment of any instrument's condition, originality, and value. That knowledge is what you're getting when you buy a Gibson from Banjo Warehouse.
What We Carry
Our postwar inventory includes RB-250, RB-3 Wreath, RB-4, RB-18 Top Tension, and Granada models. Post-1987 Gibsons are reissue instruments: well-made and collectible, but distinct from the original prewar models.
Every used Gibson we list is described honestly, including all wear, repairs, replaced parts, and any non-original components. We never misrepresent condition or originality.
Buying a Gibson from Banjo Warehouse
If you're not satisfied for any reason, we offer a 7-day return window. We also buy and trade; if you have a Gibson you're looking to move, get a free appraisal or call Geoff directly at 404-218-8580.
Gibson Mastertones move fast. Join our email list to be notified when new instruments arrive, the banjos that often sell before they make it to the website. Join the Banjo Warehouse email list