Gibson: Earl Scruggs Standard

Submitted by JRicejt on 5/10/2007

Where Purchased: Janet Davis

Year Purchased: 2001
Price Paid: Don't Remember historic exchange rates / currency converter

Sound

My experience with this banjo seems to be different than what most others have reported. I was dissapointed with the tone and volume when I got it new. I changed everything changeable - head, bridge, strings, tailpiece. Nothing helped. The sound was tubby and the volume was poor. Tone just wasn't there. The banjo stayed on the bus and I used it for a spare/backup only.

Sound Rating: 5

Setup

Set up was fine when I got it, but I changed it all trying to improve it. As a last chance for this thing, I bought one of Huber's tone rings. The Gibson ring was on the rim way too tight. I sanded the rim for a smooth fit, installed the Huber tone ring with a 5 star head, Grover 5/8 bridge and a 35 year old Gibson Clamshell tailpiece. The change was incredible. The banjo came to life - loud, good lows, balanced highs, great tone. I tweaked the rods and got the neck angle right where I wanted it.

Setup Rating: 8

Appearance

No flaws at all anywhere. The presto style tailpiece began to bend (thats why I replaced it with a sturdier old clamshell. The arm rest bracket cracked but Gibson sent me a new one to replace it. The figure on the maple neck is beautiful.

Appearance Rating: 10

Reliability

The finish on the wood (neck and resonator) is in good shape. Although I take care to wipe it down, several years of summer festivals have taken their toll on the nickel plating. Its dull almost everywhere.

I no longer use this banjo for a backup - it is my main instrument now. It replaced my old 29 TB3 conversion arch top. The hardware is excellent except for the tailpiece and armrest problem I mentioned.

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

Janet Davis is great to work with and Gibson customer service has been excellent since the instrument in under warranty.

Customer Service: 10

Components

I think the Gibson tone ring is a slug. The rim fit was too tight but I think the combination Huber ring and the sanded rim for a slightly looser fit on the rim was the right combination. It has a flathead roar now. I dont have issues with anything other than the armrest and Presto tailpiece.

Components Rating: 6

Overall Comments

These are excellent banjos - some sound good right out of the box. Mine didn't but I fixed it and now I have an instrument I will put up against any flathead. If it were stolen, I'd buy another, put a Huber tone ring on it and go from there.

Overall Rating: 9