Gibson banjo Earl Scruggs Hot Rod with Loads of Extras Scruggs hand-signed resonator, Keith tuners, Old Growth Start Price USD 4,475.00 Current Price USD 4,475.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Tuesday, September 02, 2008 End Time Friday, September 12, 2008 Location Southern Indiana See more about 'Gibson banjo Earl Scruggs Hot Rod with Loads of Extras' Description The hype is on about the new Sullivan tone rings and Old Growth Wood rims.  Amongst the prototypes at First Quality, an endeavor was initiated to take a good banjo, a Gibson Earl Scruggs model, and to make it better.  What transpired over a period of build, test, and perfect is the transformation of the banjo that came to be known as the "Hot Rod." To be honest, I'm not exactly sure what comprises this banjo.  What I am sure is that what evolved was one of the hottest new banjos that I have ever played.  I heard and played this banjo about two years back.   They had done a number of experiments dealing with wood rims, tone rings, flanges, hoops, more gold, less gold, no gold, more weight, less weight, etc.  But out from amongst all the trade secrets evolved one fine banjo, as Curtis McPeake commented this month as I took this down for him to set up.Here's what I know about this banjo:  the original rim has been replaced by one of the old growth "factory floor" rims.   The original tone ring was replaced by a 'Thunderbolt' ring that the boys at FQ are producing.  The pot is the biggest mystery.  The original flange was replaced by an experimental flange that looks sort of old and tempered, and has lots of gold-plating.  The rest of the pot assembly appears to also have been heavily gold-plated.When I heard this banjo a couple of years back,  I told them I wanted it whenever the prototyping phase was completed.  I purchased it about a year back, and have since upgraded to newer versions of the Sullivan "Thunderbolt" tone ring as they perfect the magic formula.   I also added a beautiful resonator that I have been holding back with Earl Scrugg's signature, added Keith style tuners (all four), along with a an old-style 4-hump  tailpiece.  The tuners have been custom fitted to accommodate the real pearl buttons (not installed at the moment, and not included in this sale).This is an AWESOME, powerful banjo that will NOT get lost in a crowd.  As I mentioned, I just got back from Tennessee and had this banjo set up by Curtis McPeake (boy, that guy still can sure pick!).  He stated that this was a great sounding banjo; the banjo is so balanced up and down the neck, and the decay up the neck is very sustainable.Let me know if you have any questions.  The banjo looks new except for the slight 'antiqued' look on the flange.  A couple of frets have a tad of wear on them but nothing major.  Everything else is bright and pretty much in mint condition.Comes with a black 'The Gibson' hard-shell case in immaculate condition.  I have also swapped out the truss rod bell cover shown for the original "Earl Scruggs" signature truss rod cover that came with the banjo.  Please note this.The price of the Thunderbolt ring has not yet been officially released.  But if you compare it to a comparable Dannick, then this banjo has over $2000+ in upgrades ($500 wood rim, $900 ring, $350 Keith (all 4), $65 tailpiece, upgraded resonator with Earl's signature, PLUS gold plating on all metalware, ). Place a Bid!