SOLD!! 1964 Epiphone EB-188 Plantation 5-String Long Neck Banjo

In 1957, the Kingston Trio and other bands triggered a revival of American Folk music, and one of the unexpected outcomes was the invention of the long neck banjo. This invention is credited to Pete Seeger, who wanted the longer neck to easily change keys just by adding a capo. Before long, most banjo makers offered the long neck as an option.

This Epiphone EB-188 Plantation long-neck banjo was built during 1964 at the Gibson plant in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Banjos had been a big part of Epiphone's business from the 1920's to the start of WW2. After Gibson bought the failing company in 1957, banjos were reintroduced to the Epiphone line. Parts were shared from the Gibson brand line.

The EB-188 Plantation, built from 1962 to 1968 is a long-neck, open back 5-string banjo with an 11 inch maple rim, no resonator and a Gibson Mastertone flat head tone ring. The mahogany neck has a bound rosewood fingerboard with a 32 inch scale length and 25 frets. A sliding 5th-string capo is installed, probably from the factory. Some models came with banjo tuners or D-tuners; this one has Grover Roto-Matics, which appear to be original. Not original is an interior mounted peizo pickup, of a design by the late Brian Miller of The Twelfth Fret. The element is mounted under the bridge, and the output jack mount uses one of the rim bolts.

This fine vintage banjo is in very good condition with light wear. A fairly new, very good condition hardshell case is included.