Gibson: Earl Scruggs Standard

Submitted by Kenny Noble on 4/13/2006

Where Purchased: Fifth String Berkely California

Year Purchased: 2006
Price Paid: 3240 ($US)

Sound

Has a good sound once I tweeked it for several weeks. This is my first quality banjo, so I knew very little about set up. I only knew it did not ring like it should. I took the advice from other reviews and purchased a Straightline tailpiec, and a Snuffy Smith Bridge. Also, purchased a drum tuner and torque wrench, because I had no banjo playing friends and had no reference or advice about tightening the head. I took the advice from Janet Davis about the settting for the drum tuner which worked out the same for the torque wrench. (tightened to #12). Still not pleased I purched a banjo setup book from First Quality Music. The sound improved tremendously when I did two additonal things. First I ordered another Snuffy Smith at five-eighths height which made the string angle over the bridge toward the tailpiece at about 13 degree. Second, I loosened discovered a small gap between the neck heal and the head ring (hoop) I loosened the rods and slipped four peices of Post-it note in the gap and tightened the rods. Now I am very pleased with the sound. It rings very well and the intonation seems to be perfect.

Sound Rating: 9

Setup

When I received the instrument the head tension bolts were finger loose. When I ordered it I asked about paying extra to get a proper set up but the clerk did not seem to understand what I meant. Even so, in all fairness, the price was fair for the instruments condition.

Setup Rating: 1

Appearance

The best thing about this instrument is the neck binding and fret polishing. I have a couple quality guitars in the same price range (Taylor and Gretch) and the fret detail on this banjo is equal to the Taylor and much better than the Gretch. The weakest link in this instrument is the tuners. I plan on researching and purchasing tuners with a higher gear ratio. Sometimes they tuners are not sensitive enough.
The neck grain is nice, the resonator back seems to be a different color stain than the resonator sides, but it is okay.

Appearance Rating: 9

Reliability

The armrest needs a better system for tightening. The one bolt does not seem to get it tight enough to prevent it from slipping and rattling. I have already stripped one armrest bolt and ordered another. Perhaps I am just too picky. The tailpiece was definetly very "wimpy" but I changed it to a priceline and like it very much.

Reliability Rating: 9

Customer Service

This was a new banjo, so I believe I will be satisfied with the warranty. The banjo has set in the store for over two years and has a few minor dings, but still the price reflects the conditon.

Customer Service: 10

Components

Tailpiece for sure.
Perhaps the tuning pegs could be improved.
But overall it is a quality instrument.

Components Rating: 9

Overall Comments

I like it very much, and have no desire to get another one. I believe that quality control is often reflected in appear--not sound alone. That is, if the instrument have visible defects, it probably is second rate in sound also.
I hope to keep this the rest of my life, and I hope to live a long time.

Overall Rating: 10