Huber VRB-75

About this banjo

The VRB-75 is our recreation of one of the pre-war style-75 banjos. It features our 1930’s style Huber HR-30 Tone Ring and Huber Engineered Rim.

This banjo features a straight-grain maple neck and a mahogany resonator. The straight-grain maple neck imparts a slightly brighter tone which will cut through the strongest rhythm section. As an option this model is also available with a mahogany neck for a sweeter, warmer sound.

The rosewood fingerboard and double cut headstock are inlaid with a vintage 1941 style-75 pattern. Inlay options include a Fleur-de-lis peghead inlay and a Flying Eagle pattern.

It is finished in a natural mahogany, with antiqued binding and antique metal finish on the nickel parts. Classic style “tulip” amber tuner buttons complete the vintage look on this model.

Banjo Specifications

STRAIGHT GRAIN MAPLE NECK

The VRB-75 uses straight grain maple for the neck. It is stained to match the mahogany resonator.
Banjo players who favor the older instruments always rave about the sound, but also include the feel of the necks and their ease of playability in describing their preference for the pre-wars. With this in mind, Steve carefully digitized the neck of his favorite old banjo, capturing every curve and nuance. The Huber necks are produced using computer aided machining technology, ensuring that each neck is crafted to the exact specifications – every time!

HUBER ENGINEERED RIM

The Huber Engineered Rim is the ultimate in tone and response, developed over a year of extensive scientific measurement and careful prototyping. Dr. Jim Rae is the brains behind the Engineered Rim. Dr. Rae analyzed the vibrational physics and sonic output of prewar rims and used these numbers as the benchmark. Brian Sims worked with Dr. Rae in the prototyping and manufacturing of the Engineered Rim.

MAHOGANY RESONATOR
The VRB-75’s mahogany resonator has an overlay of straight grain mahogany, inlaid with twin concentric circles of white/black/white binding. Resonators are built by Steve’s dad, Jack Huber, in Lancaster PA.

INLAY PATTERNS

Our VRB-75 boasts a classic inlay pattern, which we describe as the 1941 style-75 pattern, noted for its understated simplicity. The headtsock overlay also matches this classic pattern. The VRB-75 can also be ordered with another of the prewar inlays if you prefer, such as the “Reno” pattern. The Fleur-de-Lis peg head inlay is also available.

TWO-WAY ADJUSTABLE TRUSS ROD

We use a two way adjustable truss rod in our necks. The two way rod allows for adjustments in both directions – you can add relief or reduce bow as needed.
The rod is accessible under the truss rod cover in the headstock, just behind the nut.

NITRO-CELLULOSE LACQUER FINISH

All Huber banjos are finished with multiple layers of nitrocellulose lacquer, hand sanded between coats for a smooth appearance. They are then buffed to a high gloss with careful attention to detail at every step in the finishing process.

TRUETONE NAMEPLATE

The nameplate inlay at the 21st fret bears the name Truetone executed in individual mother of pearl letters, representing that this model was made with our HR-30 ring and Engineered Rim.

ANTIQUE COLOR BINDING

The VRB-75 has single white antiqued binding which involves the use of a coloring agent applied in the finish to give the binding along the sides of the neck, resonator and resonator rings an aged appearance.

WAVERLY V-2 TUNERS

All of the Huber Banjos come with Waverly V-2 tuners installed. The V-2s work very well and closely approximate the look of those found on vintage banjos. The tapered underside of the peghead washer helps protect the headstock and the internal low-friction bushings help ensure smooth operation.

The tuners are fitted with authentic recreations of 1930’s “Amber Tulip” buttons and help create the proper vintage feel.

VINTAGE METAL FINISH

We add the Vintage Metal Finish to the VRB-75 to complete the vintage vibe. The outer surfaces of the metal parts are modified to remove the sheen, giving a very close approximation of the look of a much older instrument.

ROSEWOOD FINGERBOARD

All stock models are made with a rosewood fingerboard.

PRESTO STYLE TAILPIECE

Like the storied pre wars which inspired them, most Huber Banjos have a Presto-style tailpiece installed during final assembly and set up. Steve feels that the lighter weight of this sort of tailpiece is best suited to the sound he is after.

MAPLE BRIDGE WITH EBONY TOP

The Huber bridge is made of carefully selected maple and ebony and is designed for tone, volume and clarity. String slots are cut with a custom-built slotting machine that produces the exact depth, spacing and angle every time. The Huber bridge is also available as a separate accessory item order.

HARDWARE

The pot-metal flange we use in all Huber Banjos is custom machined in a process which allows for more solid contact between the flange and rim, resulting in better structural stability and tonal response. On all our models, we use a brass notched tension hoop, plated to match the other metal parts. We use plated steel rods to hold the neck onto the rim instead of the softer brass found in many new banjos. We chose steel rods since the older flatheads used them and, proving that no detail is too small, even the nuts and washers are exact pre war replicas!

HUBER HR-30 TONE RING

Our HR-30 Tone Ring represents the pinnacle in prewar reproduction, measured in both tone and responsiveness. It was created after a year of analysis into the vibratory physics of more than a dozen pre war flathead rings, and further research into casting methods that could consistently reproduce a ring that closely matched our prewar standard.

HUBER HEAD

Through a special arrangement with Remo, Huber installs a head on each new banjo that is manufactured to his custom specifications. Steve finds that they offer a superior tone to that of the stock Mylar heads offered for banjo. These Huber heads can also be ordered as a separate, after-market accessory item.

LINED HARD- SHELL CASE

Each Huber banjo is shipped in its own plush lined hard shell case. The top lid is arched for superior protection.

LIFETIME LIMITED WARRANTY

Every Huber Banjo is warranted to the original owner without time limit, often described as a “Limited Lifetime Warranty.” Any defect in material or workmanship, except heads, strings and pegs will be repaired or replaced free of charge to the original owner, if returned to our factory, charges prepaid.

Bonuses When You Order From Banjo.com

• 5th String Railroad Spike Capos – FREE
  We can add these as a free service when you purchase a banjo from us. When you add this banjo to your cart just select that you want the capos. What is this? When you use a standard capo on your banjo fretboard, fretting strings 1 through 4, you’ll need to capo the 5th string separately. The 5th string starts at the 5th fret. If your standard capo is on the 2nd fret, you also need to capo the 5th string two frets higher, at the 7th fret. We recommend installing railroad spike capos on frets 7 and 9 (A and B). We install them on the fretboard just under the 5th string, an idea that was developed and used by Earl Scruggs himself. We use them, and so do most of the professional players we know. When you’re playing, you don’t really notice the spikes because they’re out of the way, but they’re always there when you need them. Simply slide the 5th string under the spike. When you’re done, slide it out.
• Banjo Starter Pack – FREE
  We can send along with your banjo a Starter Pack for free. This includes a strap, DVD, and tuner and picks.
• Every Banjo Tested by a Banjo Expert Before Shipping