Posted by Doc Warlick on January 13, 19102 at 09:54:51:
In Reply to: RB-11 banjo posted by Matt Denny on January 11, 19102 at 21:19:03:
I understand that the RB-11 was traded for a Mastertone when he joined Bill Monroe. The new banjo was possibly "Nellie," which was traded to Don Reno for the Grenada.
The RB-11 was a raised-head banjo (no tone ring)
with an ivoroid fretboard and stained blue. The rim was routed so that a bead of wood kept the head off of the rim. These are very valuable now. I have an RB-1 like this and it is as loud as my Granada, with a deeper tone.
I believe Earl kept his father's banjo and the first official one he bought as a child, from Montgomery Ward.