1989 Gibson Earl Scruggs Standard 5-String Banjo, Greg Rich Era

This 1989 Gibson Earl Scruggs Standard comes from the heart of the Greg Rich era at Gibson. Curly maple neck and resonator, a hard rock three-ply maple rim, a Kulesh tone ring, and an ebony fingerboard with hearts and flowers inlay: it has the look and the voice players want from an Earl Scruggs Standard of this period. The Greg Rich era, from the late 1980s into the early 1990s, is the stretch collectors and bluegrass players prize most in modern Gibson banjos, and an early one like this is right in that sweet spot.

A note on the year, because we would rather be upfront than tidy. In our demo video, Geoff refers to this banjo as a 1991. When we checked the serial number stamped in the rim against the Gibson serial charts, it dates the instrument to 1989, so that is how we are listing it. It is a labeling correction, not a downgrade. If anything, an earlier Greg Rich era example is slightly more sought after.

This is a used, vintage instrument and we describe it honestly. It looks and sounds great. There is some crackling on the finish of the resonator, which is normal for Earl Scruggs Standards from this era, and some tarnish on the finish of the flange. The frets have been redressed.

Before it ships, this banjo receives a complete professional setup by our banjo tech Tara at Banjo Warehouse in Yellow Springs, Ohio. It comes with its original brown case with pink lining. One nice extra: the rim is signed by Earl Scruggs himself.

Watch: Geoff on this Gibson Earl Scruggs Standard

Why Buy From Banjo Warehouse

Geoff Hohwald has been selling fine banjos since 1980, and a vintage Gibson like this one gets our full attention: our banjo tech Tara sets it up by hand, and we photograph the actual instrument you will receive. Financing is available through PayPal Pay Later, with monthly options for higher-ticket instruments like this one. Questions before you buy? Call or text Geoff at (404) 218-8580.

1989 Gibson Earl Scruggs Standard Specifications

Brand	Gibson
Model	Earl Scruggs Standard
Autograph	Signed by Earl Scruggs on the rim (genuine)
Year	1989 (dated from the serial; the demo video refers to it as a 1991)
Era	Greg Rich era
Type	5-string resonator banjo
Neck	Curly maple
Resonator	Curly maple
Rim	Hard rock three-ply maple
Fingerboard	Ebony, hearts and flowers inlay
Tone ring	Kulesh
Frets	Redressed
Country of origin	USA (Gibson, Nashville)
Condition	Used, looks and sounds great; some finish crackling on the resonator (normal for the era); some tarnish on the flange
Includes	Original brown case with pink lining
Setup	Complete professional setup by our banjo tech Tara

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes a Greg Rich era Gibson Earl Scruggs Standard special?

Greg Rich led Gibson’s banjo division from the late 1980s into the early 1990s, and instruments from that era are the ones collectors and players seek out most. This one is an early Greg Rich era example, with curly maple, a Kulesh tone ring, and the classic hearts and flowers inlay. That period is what gives these banjos their reputation and their voice.

Why is this listed as a 1989 when the video says 1991?

Geoff refers to it as a 1991 in the demo, but when we checked the serial number stamped in the rim against the Gibson serial charts, it dates to 1989. We would rather correct the year than leave it wrong, so we list it as a 1989. It is an early Greg Rich era instrument either way, and an earlier one is generally a touch more desirable.

Is the rim really signed by Earl Scruggs?

It is. The rim carries a genuine Earl Scruggs signature. It is a nice bonus on an already fine Greg Rich era instrument.

What condition is this Earl Scruggs Standard in?

It is a used, vintage banjo that looks and sounds great. In the interest of honesty, there is some finish crackling on the resonator and some tarnish on the flange, both normal for a Gibson of this age. The frets have been redressed, our banjo tech Tara sets it up before it ships, and it comes with its original brown case with pink lining.

Can I finance a banjo like this?

Yes. Financing is available through PayPal Pay Later, which offers monthly payment options suited to higher-ticket instruments like this one. If you have any questions before you buy, call or text Geoff at (404) 218-8580.