1988 Gibson Earl Scruggs Standard 5 string Banjo NEAR TIME CAPSULE GREG RICH ERA

1988 Gibson Earl Scruggs Standard 5 string Banjo. Includes Rare Original Hardshell Case. CALL TODAY 404-372-5482.

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1988 Gibson Earl Scruggs Standard 5 string Banjo

This is an ultra rare 1st year of the Greg Rich Earl Scruggs Standard model Banjo. This is all original with original Gibson Keith D Tuners and Original Case. This has been inspected and set up at the Banjo Warehouse in Atlanta.

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Description

Greg Rich entered Gibson at the end of 1987 and completely changed the Gibson Banjo. Ironically most of what Greg did was take the designs back to the Pre War specs. The Earl Scruggs Standard is the most popular model for modern Gibson Banjo and the Greg Rich Scruggs Banjos are the most popular era. The banjos made in 1988 and 1989 seem to be on an even higher level and this is nearly the perfect example of one of those. The Earl Scruggs Standard is a copy of the banjo played for years by Earl Scruggs.

This has a 3 ply hard rock maple shell with a curly maple neck and resonator. The neck and resonator each have w/b/w binding on each side. The fretboard is ebony and there is a Hearts and Flowers inlay pattern. The hardware is all original including a Gibson USA one piece flange and AFP Kulesh Tone Ring. This tone ring is not stamped Gibson USA which is very rare but the number on the ring and shell match so it is the original ring for this banjo. That was not uncommon to have original parts missing the Gibson USA stamp at the beginning of the Rich era.

The armrest is a one piece and the tailpiece is a Presto. The 2nd and 3rd strings have ORIGINAL GIBSON KEITH D TUNERS. These are stamped Gibson on the casing and the button. These tuners are exceptionally rare and original to this banjo, plus I have seen these tuners sell for over $500 alone on ebay. That is a special point. The banjo is all original and also includes a very rare Gibson USA hardshell case. This also has an original warranty for a Gibson Earl Scruggs from 1988 but the serial number is different. I am keeping that warranty info in the case just for looks even though it is from a different 1988 Scruggs.

Finally the label is handsigned by Earl Scruggs. This is a special banjo.

Condition

This is in stellar condition and has been professionally cleaned at the Banjo Warehouse. The banjo has been disassembled and all of the hardware has been buffed to a shine with a high powered buffing wheel. The finish looks fantastic but there is some light checking on the back of the resonator. It is so light I did not see it at first. Regardless I have waxed all of the finish and the finish also shines. The fretboard has been cleaned and oiled and the frets are in good shape. This has spikes at frets 7 and 9. The original case is clean inside and out. The case alone is probably also worth over $500.

Set Up

This has been set up at the Banjo Warehouse as well. This has an American Banjo Company frosted head which is set to 90. The bridge is a no name bridge and the strings are Huber Truetone .10’s. This is also set up to produce maximum tone and power and is a phenomenal player. 1988 Scruggs Standard Banjos from the Rich era are some of the best Scruggs model’s that have been made and are extremely hard to find. Especially all original and clean like this one is.

Check out the Banjo Warehouse website for all sorts of interesting New, Used and Vintage Banjos for Sale!

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