The VRB-4 is made with a straight grain walnut neck. 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 prewars.
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 prewar specifications – every time!
The back of the VRB-4 resonator has an overlay of figured walnut, while the side walls and neck feature straight grain walnut.
Resonators are built by Steve’s dad, Jack Huber, in Lancaster PA.
The VRB-4 features “Flying Eagle” inlay. Other vintage inlay such as the “Hearts & Flowers” pattern are available upon request.
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.
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.
All stock models are made with a rosewood fingerboard.
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.
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 prewar flathead rings, and further research into casting methods that could consistently reproduce a ring that closely matched our prewar standard.
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.
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.
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.
Our VRB-4 models are stained in a natural walnut to enhance the color and grain of the wood.
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.
The VRB-4 has white/black/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.
The prewar style 4 banjos used chrome plated metal parts, so our VRB-4 replica does as well. Chrome has a distinctive, slightly bluish hue and is more durable and resistant to tarnish than nickel.
In keeping with the concept of a careful reproduction, the VRB-4 uses a clamshell tailpiece, just as was found on the prewar banjos on which this model is based.
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 prewar replicas!
Each Huber banjo is shipped in its own plush lined hard shell case.The top lid is arched for superior protection.
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.
Chris Starkey –
Last year at SPBGMA I purchased a VRB-4 from Steve. He spent time making sure the setup was correct and was kind enough to compare and contrast the differences with the banjo I had. I could not have been more pleased.
Players know that a walnut banjo has a sweet open and transparent tone and this banjo had that walnut sound so many enjoy in Style-4 pre-war banjos. The chrome plating was just as in the 1930’s and the craftsmanship and fit and finish was excellent. Huber banjos is easily at the top of US domestic production of banjos meant to honor and replicate pre-war banjos before 1945. His production controls and research are extensive and the quality has been exceptional for years. Own a Huber. You will never be disappointed.
Doud Ward –
I have owned my Huber VRB-4 for 2 1/2 years. Sorry it took so long for this review but have been too busy playing it! It was beautiful the moment I first saw it and still is. I estimate about 2500 hours of play time on this banjo with no problems except normal wear. The tone is wonderful. I can’t imagine any better sound. Mine is modified with gold plating which I believe has given the perfect sound I wanted. I am an amateur player for the love of the music and will play this banjo for the rest of my life. I enjoy and still play my previous banjos but this is a true instrument of music! What else is there to say.
Virgil Evans –
This is a truly superior instrument, and even that is an understatement. It has taken me nearly ten years to make the decision to order a Huber banjo. Considering the fact that I live in California and would be ordering without having played a Huber, I was reluctant to make the investment. However, once I received the banjo and began playing it, I knew that made the right decision. The sound is like nothing I had ever played over a period of about fifty years.. the previous reviews said it all, so I won’t repeat their accurate observations. I have examined the instrument a number of times, with an eye for attention to detail. Perfection.
Thank you Steve and the Huber team!
NEIL D RUDO –
I too have several banjos and bought a VRB 4 about a year ago. Simply put: Nothing sounds as good. The instrument is a joy to play and makes me a better musician. I play largely for myself, but when I take the VRB4 out with other banjo’s, I uniformly get praise and admiration for the instrument. Construction and fit and finish are flawless and the sound is terrific. I changed nothing in the set up and although I am a committed tinkerer, I see no need to alter anything on this banjo. My Stelling, Ome, Prucha and Deering banjos are wonderful instruments, but I play the Huber at least eighty percent of the time. The sound could not be better, soft or loud. Worth every penny.
Dianne Phelps –
I was finally able to upgrade from my “starter” banjo… and wow I’m I pleased!!! I chose this VRB-4 because I wanted not only a pre-war style banjo, but a sound that only walnut construction can produce. This instrument is beyond my expectations. The craftsmanship is second to none. The entire thing is absolute perfection in fit and finish. I chose the “hearts and flowers” inlays and had 5th string spikes installed as well. Photos of this beauty cannot do it justice.
Also, the case it comes with is top notch and the banjo fits like a glove. I might add that it arrived in perfect condition because it was packed carefully with lots of packing material for protection. This banjo will be my “love” for the rest of my life! Do yourself a favor… buy one– you won’t be disappointed!!