Butch Robins' 1930 RB4 was purchased from Gary Price (Mr. Price was the second owner) in 1977 for the price of $6,000 (an amount abnormally high at the time) due to the pristine nature of the instrument. It is one of about 130 known original flathead pre-war Gibson 5 string banjos. Butch Robins was born May 12, 1949 in Lebanon, Virginia and has been a professional musician most of his life. In addition to a successful solo career, he was a member of Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys, Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper's band, Charlie Moore's band, the New Grass Revival and other bands. He currently lives in Virginia and is still a working musician. Orville Gibson founded The Gibson Mandolin-Guitar Mfg. Co., Ltd in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1902. Over the years the company has changed names and locations and today is known as Gibson Brands, Inc and is headquartered in Nashville, TN. The company is known for having made some of the finest banjos, mandolins and guitars.