5-string resonator banjo
Maker
Gibson, Inc.
Maker
Gibson
Date1980
Place MadeKalamazoo, Michigan, United States, North America
ModelRB-250
Serial No.80020036
SignedInlaid in mother-of-pearl on headstock: GibsonStamped on tailpiece and armrest: Gibson
Black-ink filled inscription on mother-of-pearl rectangle inlaid in fingerboard behind 21st fret: MASTERTONE
Stamped in brown ink on back of peghead: MADE IN / U.S.A.
Peg mechanisms stamped: GIBSON
MarkingsStamped in brown ink on back of peghead: 80020036
Signed on head in black ink: To My Friend / Johnny Cash / Earl Scruggs
DescriptionThis 1980 RB-250 model banjo was given to Johnny Cash by Earl Scruggs, the bluegrass legend, with a gift inscription written in pencil on the head of the instrument.
According to a note in Cash's hand, written on an envelope and preserved with the banjo, Johnny played this instrument "on many concerts and records." Cash and Scruggs collaborated often, including albums that came out in 2001 and 2002.
Peghead: fiddle-head-shaped; black fiberboard veneer; mother-of-pearl inlay comprised of two f-hole shaped pieces, a slotted diamond with four diamonds, one on each side, and a diamond above the mother-of-pearl “Gibson” logo; black plastic bell-shaped truss rod cover secured with nickel-plated steel Philips head screws
Fingerboard: ebony bound in white celluloid; twenty-two nickel-silver frets; mother-of-pearl “bowtie” inlays behind 1st and 10th frets; mother-of-pearl cross-shaped inlay behind 3rd fret; mother-of-pearl “bowtie” inlays of individually varied forms behind 5th, 7th, 15th, and 17th frets; mother-of-pearl long, slotted diamond lay behind 12th fret, mother-of-pearl inlay resembling bird-in-flight behind 17th fret; mother-of-pearl rectangle with “MASTERTONE” in black ink behind 21st fret; single black plastic side dots behind 1st, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th, 15th, 17th, and 21st frets; double black plastic side dots behind 12th fret
Heel cap: none
Head: white matte plastic; aluminum flesh hoop
Tone ring: nickel-plated brass
Rim: black-stained maple
Bracket hooks: 24 nickel-plated steel
Tension hoop: nickel-plated brass with 24 notches
Resonator: mahogany bound on upper and lower edges with white celluloid; inside painted black; nickel-plated steel flange with rectangular openings with half circular cut-outs one-third the height of rectangle on ends
Armrest: nickel-plated brass
Nut: white ivoroid
Tuners: nickel-plated brass geared pegs and white pearlized plastic heads
Tailpiece: “clam shell” nickel-plated brass
Finish: clear lacquer
DimensionsTotal instrument length: 963 mm (37-29/32″)
Vibrating string length: 667 mm (26-1/4″); 5th string: 499 mm (19-21/32″)
Fingerboard length: 489 mm (19-1/4″)
Fingerboard width at nut: 30 mm (1-3/16″)
Fingerboard width at body: 55 mm (2-5/32″)
Head diameter: 279 mm (11″)
Resonator diameter: 352 mm (13-7/8″)
Rim and resonator depth: 88 mm (3-1/2″)
ProvenancePreviously owned by Earl Scruggs, who gave it to Johnny Cash. Purchased from Sotheby's, New York, September 14, 2004, Property from the Estate of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash.
Published ReferencesAndré P. Larson, "Recent Acquisitions," National Music Museum Newsletter Vol.
33, No. 3 (August 2006), p. 6.
Newspaper:
"Cash: Instruments To Be Displayed In Spring," Sioux Falls Argus Leader, (October 30, 2004).
Robert Morast, "Famous Guitars; Music Museum Buys Guitar Used By Johnny Cash," Sioux Falls Argus Leader, (October 30, 2004).
Travis Coleman, “Museum Acquires Cash Guitars,” Volante, (November 23, 2004), The Verve, B1-B2
"Museum Gets Cash Guitars," Sioux City Journal, (November 5, 2004).
"Music Museum Acquires Johnny, June Carter Cash Guitars," Vermillion Plain Talk, (November 5, 2004).
"South Dakota: Vermillion," USA TODAY, (November 8, 2004), p.13A.
Internet:
"Cash Instruments Go To University," Casa Grande Valley Newspapers Inc., (November 19, 2004), Retrieved on December 3, 2004 from http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=13400942&BRD=1817&PAG=461&dept_i…
"Gitarren von Johnny Cash komme ins Museum," Letzter Steckbriefaufruf von: Entertainer Ralf, Retrieved on December 3, 2004 from http://www.onlinemusik.de/default.asp?ssid=&id1=3057&id2=
"Johnny Cash-Instrumente im Museum," Country Music Special Radio Berlin (CSR), (November 9, 2004), Retrieved on December 3, 2004 from http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:bIAE-1JapscJ:www.csr-berlinweb.de/HOT.htm+%…, p.9-10.
"Johnny Cash-Instrumente im Museum," Schattenkinder e.V., (November 9, 2004), Retrieved on December 3, 2004 from http://www.radiounion.de/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=12.
"Johnny Cash," CompuServe Celebrity, Retrieved on December 3, 2004 from http://webcenters.compuserve.com/compuserve/celebrity/bigpic.jsp?photoid=20041108NY…, p.1-2.
"Johnny Cash," Netscape Music, Retrieved on December 3, 2004 from http://channels.netscape.com/ns/music/news/bigpic.jsp?photoid=20041108NYET139.
"Johnny Cash," YAHOO! News, UK & Ireland, (November 8, 2004), Retrieved on December 3, 2004 from http://uk.fc.yahoo.com/041030/46/f5mz9.html.
"Lund At Large," KELOLAND NEWS, (November 12, 2004), Retrieved on December 3, 2004 from http://keloland.com/News/NewsDetail4514.cfm?ID=22,35953.
"Museum Acquires Cash Guitars," Volante-Verve, (November 23, 2004), Retrieved on December 3, 2004 from http://www.volanteonline.com/global_user_elements/printpage.cfm?storyid=814813.
"Museum To Display Cash Guitars," THE SUN NEWS, (November 9, 2004), Retrieved on December 3, 2004 from http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/mld/sunnews/2004/11/10/news/nation/10133729.htm
"Music Museum Acquires Cash Guitars," Comcast, (November 8, 2004), Retrieved on December 3, 2004 from http://www.comcast.net/News/ENTERTAINMENT/XML.1403_Recordings/07alb438-25…
"National Music Museum in South Dakota Acquires Two Guitars From Johnny Cash Estate," COX. net, (November 8, 2004), Retrieved November 21, 2004 from http://rhodeisland.cox.net/cci/entertainmentnews/national?_mode=view&_state=maximized&view=article&id=D867THR80.
"Music Museum Acquires Cash Guitars," The Washington Chorus, (November 8, 2004), Retrieved on December 3, 2004 from http://www.wtopnews.com/index.php?nid=114&sid=952.
"Music Museum Acquires Cash Guitars," The Herald Sun, (November 8, 2004), Retrieved on November 22, 2004 from http://www.herald-sun.com/features/wire/29-541833.html, p.1-2.
"National Music Museum Acquires Johnny and June Carter Cash Guitars," Bluegrass Music News Network, (November 10, 2004), Retrieved on December 3, 2004 from http://www.cybergrass.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=648.
"U.S. & World News: People In The News: VERMILLION, S.D.," Retrieved on December 3, 2004 from http://amarillo.com/stories/110904/usn_552841.shtml.
Radio:
Susan Hanson, “Celebrating Johnny Cash,” SDPB Feature, South Dakota Public Radio (December 3, 2004)
Credit LineBoard of Trustees, 2004
Object number10769
On View
Not on view
