mastertone - Posted - 03/14/2008:  06:59:20

Hello i am interested in a new earl scruggs gibson and was wantig to hear from anyone who has one,and what they think of the quailty and sound. Also any one with short fat fingers play one. I have short fat fingers and the neck on my banjo was made for my hands. They are advertisied with slim neck and my banjo mics at .8 which breaks down to around 7/8s of an inch thick. i contacted a dealer and neck thickness is very close or exact thickness of mine. Allresponces will be apperciated. Thank You Dave

TMarshall1 - Posted - 03/14/2008:  07:17:57

Mastertone - I was getting ready to welcome you, but it looks like you've been here almost a year. I will welcome your first post however. If you can lay "hands on" an ESS you should definitely do so. That is the true test. My instructor had an ESS and from the moment he let me "lay picks to it", I was hooked and knew that I needed a higher quality banjo. I am a little biased toward the "Gibson" product line but there are tons of good banjos out there at good prices.... Enjoy your search! Let us know what you decide...

It's a gDGBD (Gosh Darn Good Banjo Day)!
Tony

Proud Member of

The Gibson Chapter

"...if ya got time to breathe, ya got time for music..."
Briscoe Darling - Apr.29,1963

barry - Posted - 03/14/2008:  07:46:26

Hi Dave , the Gibsons we have in stock look and play great. The quality is way up good job Gibson. Dave try to play as many banjos as you can and you will find one that is just right. Barry

dixie kiwi - Posted - 03/14/2008:  08:28:46

my '04 ESS neck is comfortable but its action seems a bit high, if only b/c im used to playing something else.

i'm not sure if looking outside the ESS at other neck designs (v neck like on Blackjack or Hubers or Neats). it'd be nice to try em out at Barry's place by Kennesaw Mtn!!

ALSO, there are a number of very well respected banjo neck crafters here that'll fix ya up w/ something maybe better while LE$$. mary cox was just mentioning a minstrel banjo maker that makes you trace your left hand for his banjo's. get something that's comfortable. of course, the ESS is balls.

dixie kiwi - Posted - 03/14/2008:  08:40:11

Dave,

i haven't measured my ESS yet but I have a fullscale Mastertone blueprint (from StewMac) over my puter and measured: 13/16" thick at 1st fret and 15/16" thick at 15th fret based on cross sections.

maurice minger - Posted - 03/14/2008:  09:13:48

I had a 84 ESS the neck was to big for me now I have a 89 gibson granada that I like the neck is alot smaller. All gibsons do not have the same size neck. So try as many as you can till you find one you like.
Maurice

mastertone - Posted - 03/14/2008:  14:14:44

Thanks Guys for your imput. my problem with trying one out at a dealer is it is 4hr drive one way from my house to first quality and i have back problems. which kills any idea of going to see how the necks are.I have one of the finest banjo builders just 15 miles from my house who built the banjo which i have had for 20yrs. i could buy a used one and let him shavethe neck down to my liking. I have allways wanted a gibson since i was just a boy . The one i have now is RB5 copy and when tuned to g# it will bark just like earls granada from the late 40s and 50s recordings. So thanks again for your replys and keep picking your 5s Dave