Gibson Mastertone Earl Scruggs Model 49 Classic Banjo

GIBSON MASTERTONE EARL SCRUGGS MODEL 49 CLASSIC

I PURCHASED THIS BANJO NEW IN 1996 AND PAID RIGHT AT $3000.00 FOR IT.  I HAVEN'T PLAYED IT IN YEARS SO IT'S TIME FOR A NEW OWNER. THIS IS A FOURTEEN YEAR OLD INSTANT CLASSIC EARL SCRUGGS MODEL BANJO. THIS WAS A COMBINED EFFORT BY GIBSON AND EARL TO PRODUCE A BANJO THAT SIMULATED HOW EARL'S GRENDADA WAS SET UP IN 1949. THE RESONATOR IS FIGURED MAPLE WITH A FIGURED MAPLE NECK, 3-PLY MAPLE RIM, ONE PIECE POT METAL FLANGE, PREWAR SPEC FLATHEAD TONE RING, PRESTO STYLE TAILPIECE, VINTAGE 2 BAND TUNERS WITH EXACT REPLICA FINISH. IT HAS A SNUFFY STYLE BRIDGE AND THE STRINGS ARE SET AT 1/8TH INCH ABOVE THE 12TH FRET.  THERE IS NO FRET BUZZ WHEN PLAYED. SERIAL NUMBER IS 49-88. NUMBER 88 OFF THE LINE. THIS MODEL IS NOW DISCONTINUED BUT THE INTEREST IN THIS MODEL REMAINS HIGH AS USED MODEL 49'S HAVE SOLD FOR MORE THAN THE PRICE I PURCHASED THIS ONE FOR WHEN NEW.

THERE IS NORMAL WEAR FROM PLAYING BUT THE COSMETICS OF THE MAPLE IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. ALL OF THE PEGS ARE GEARED INCLUDING THE 5TH STRING.  I INSTALLED A FIFTH STRING CAPO ON IT WHEN I PURCHASED IT.  IT WAS DONE BY THE DEALER. THE TONE IS BRIGHT, LOUD AND CLEAR BUT YOU WILL HAVE TO PUT NEW STRINGS ON IT WHICH ARE INCLUDED WITH THE BANJO AND HARD SHELL CASE. THE BANJO CASE HAS A COMBINATION LOCK FOR SUCURITY. THERE IS SOME TARNISH ON THE NICKLE PLATE FROM STORAGE, BUT I THINK THAT CAN BE CLEANED UP.

I CAN ARRANGE FOR LOCAL PICK-UP TO SAVE YOU SHIPPING CHARGES IF YOU PREFER.  I WILL NOT ACCEPT BIDS FOR INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING.  INSURANCE IS AT YOUR DESCRETION.

I WILL BE OUT OF TOWN FROM NOV. 13 THROUGH NOV. 21ST.  IF YOU ARE THE WINNING BIDDER I WILL SHIP AS SOON AS I GET BACK INTO TOWN.