❌SOLD❌ Gibson Earl Scruggs Standard Mastertone Banjo Sunburst, 2000

Built from 1994 until a devastating flood hit Nashville in 2010, the Gibson Earl Scruggs Standard banjo reproduced the classic banjo that used by Scruggs. At first, the model was just named ‘Earl Scruggs’. The word ‘Standard’ was added in 1992, because two newer Scruggs models were introduced for the 1992 year, the ’49 Classic and the Golden Deluxe.

This Gibson Earl Scruggs Standard Mastertone is in very good, clean condition, with moderate fret wear in the low positions, and very light wear elsewhere. A pair of Keith D-Tuners were factory installed. A Shubb 5th string sliding capo was installed after the banjo was purchased new, new by Bruce Dowd in Toronto. For woods, the neck is noticeably flamed Maple and the bound Ebony fingerboard has the classic Hearts and Flowers Mother of Pearl inlay set. The Rim is Maple, and the resonator laminated Flame Maple.

The original black hard shell case with gold Gibson screened logo is included. The case has mild scuffing as expected for a 23 year old banjo case,

Gibson Banjos, including the Gibson Earl Scruggs Standard Mastertone Banjo, are no longer available. They are an unrecovered casualty of the 2010 Nashville floods, and there are no visible plans to ever resume production. If you’ve ever wanted one of these excellent instruments, you’ll need something like this one.

Here is a snippet from our 2010 REVIEW of the Gibson Earl Scruggs Standard Mastertone banjo:

“The Gibson Earl Scruggs Standard Mastertone Banjo is an elegant instrument; beautiful woods and finish throughout with a classic pearl inlay pattern. It is a truly professional quality, fully American-made banjo. Hard to beat this classic banjo; possibly the most famous banjo ever made!

Several years ago, when Greg Rich was still with the Gibson Bluegrass division, the switch was made to the highly respected Kulesh tone ring. Now universally accepted as the best sounding Gibson banjos since the pre-war ear, the new Earl Scruggs Standard is the benchmark for the classic Bluegrass banjo.

Over the past 2 years I have sensed a subtle but noticeable improvement in wood grade quality and finish details. As you can see from the photos: the AAA wide-flame maple is superb. The Aniline dye used in the tinted nitrocellulose lacquer is more true to the typical pre-war shading rather than the more golden/yellow- burst 60s and 70s shading that we have seen on maple Mastertones until recently.

Detail, joinery, fretwork, hardware fit is all very clean and the neck has that classic prewar round profile we all have come to dream of.
Waverly tuners are standard on these banjos. These classic prewar style tuners are the smoothest tuners I’ve found. Gibson uses a premium Grover bridge with feet sanded to cant the bridge back towards the tailpiece in the classic Snuffy Smith style. The prewar style Presto tailpiece is timeless.”