Selling a banjo for a friend of a friend who knows an elderly lady who owns this banjo. It was her late husband's banjo. A 1985 Gibson Earl Scruggs, serial number "0555" with Scruggs model specs: curly maple, hearts & flowers inlay, D-tuners, Presto tailpiece, 3-ply maple rim, 20-hole tone ring. My research indicates the tone rings of these early Scruggs models were Stew-Mac made tone rings that were installed in the Scruggs models until Gibson introduced the "Kulesh" tone ring in 1987. My research also indicates the D-tuners are from Schaller, not Keith, which were made for Gibson.
In overall good condition, mostly honest wear with minor surface scratches and dings. The worst condition issue is the fretboard is dug out in a couple of places likely due to the owner's (or previous owner's) fingernails digging into the fretboard. Worst at the 3rd string, 2nd fret and 4th fret; however, I am totally unable to feel those spots in the fretboard when I am playing this banjo, and I am very particular about neck and fretboard feel. A sticker inside the rim indicates the banjo was repaired/serviced in 1988 at a music shop in Pennsylvania, though there are no signs of repairs that I can tell (no evidence of any cracks/breaks anywhere that I can see), so I'm not sure what was done.
This banjo is a lot of fun to play. It's easy to play and sounds great! It's been a while since I've cut loose with a pair of D-tuners. Video at: youtu.be/i8cEjIFb-Hk?is=5417T3IHLcBMfn9-
Comes with original Gibson case & original Gibson warranty card stub.
$4000 obo. Reverb.com link:
reverb.com/item/102823340-gibs...uggs-1985
