This is a Luscomb 5-string open-back, 27" scale and 11 5/8"D head. It features the patented cast brass rim with a rabbeted wood tone ring. All Luscomb AUG. 28 '88 patented banjos have exactly the same rim construction. They differ only in diameter, plating material, and engraving.
Currently, with a 1/2" bridge and a 0.030" shim between the neck and tension hoop, the action at the 12th fret is 0.20".
Included are a vintage wire arm rest and a like-new-condition hard-shell Superior bump case.
The stated "Good" condition refers to cosmetic issues. As a player, it is Excellent!
The neck is free of warp or twist. There is no visible fret or fingerboard wear. The width at the nut is 1 1/4". All hooks and nuts are original except for one set next to the tailpiece.
The back of the tuning head shows signs of two previous sets of tuners. The ones currently installed are period-appropriate and bear the stamp: PAT. MAY 8, 88. The 5th string tuner is an old design I do not recognize.
The photos show the neck crack repair. One might fault the finishing touches, but the repair is rock solid. Presumably, as part of that repair, the dowel stick was replaced. (It lacks the Luscomb branding in the wood but has the original's name plate.) There are many ways to crack a banjo neck, but that repair will certainly survive any future trauma.
Head material & tension, bridge, and strings have a huge impact on the sound. The neck and pot are sturdy enough to be set up as modern or period-correct as you choose. Currently, it has a finely polished new skin head and Aquila strings.
Luscomb was a professional stage performer, with innovative ideas about what he wanted in a banjo. He has several patents, and the banjos were manufactured by the very competent Thompson & Odell. This wood-topped brass rim was the most successful and lasting design. Clifton Hicks posted a fine demonstration and description of both a grade 1, like this one, and a fancier appointed grade 3. They are set up very differently: youtube.com/watch?v=NWEm_uq8bfE . (At one point, he confuses these with another Luscomb patent, which features a metal-wood-metal sandwich; however, both banjos in the YouTube and this one for sale have the solid brass rim with modest-sized wood tone ring on top.) And here's more of Clifton Hicks on his Luscomb, this time discussing how to get different tone: youtube.com/watch?v=rpidP1x28Aw
