With much remorse I have to sell my banjo. Let me start by saying that I cannot verify that this banjo is in fact a true Gibson Golden Deluxe. It came to me in very sad condition, It had had been mistreated badly and at one time I suppose had been dropped from quite a distance. I spent many long hours searching for parts to make it original but could not find them. I used an old gold plated flange that is in good shape. I purchased a Prucha Hoop, tail piece and arm rest from Gregg Boyd, sent them to A former Gibson employee to have the parts engraved to Golden Deluxe specs. and had the parts gold plated. I then contracted with Arthur Hatfield to build a neck and resonator and set up the banjo. You can contact Arthur and let him tell you exactly what he did and how the banjo sounds. I bought the double leg arm rest because they are more stable (at least I think so). The rim also has the Earl Scruggs signature label and is NOT a copy I did not restore the rim. i wanted to keep the original look to it. There is some numbers on the rim but they are hard to make out. I will try to figure out what they are if necessary. Nor did I re plate the tone ring. It is a Kulesh originally 20 hole that has 20 extra holes drilled in to it. The rim has a very thin walnut cap on it maybe 1/16". I don't know why this was done but it doesn't hurt the tone at all. I think the banjo sounds Great !! again I will refer you to Arthur. I retained the Scruggs truss rod cover from the old broken neck. I don't have any of the broken parts. Again, I am making NO claim that the banjo started out as a Golden Deluxe as I cannot with 100% certainty verify it. So make your own assumptions on this fine banjo. But one thing is for sure ! Gibson or not, this is a fine banjo and one that I am proud to own. When I picked the banjo up from Arthur's place, I brought it home and played it for an hour or two and it has been in the case since. The Banjo does come with a Gibson USA case, A JD Crowe Bluechip pick , a set of Acri brass finger pics. And an extra set of Arthur Hatfield custom strings.
Were it not for the fact that my arthritis has progressed to the point that I cannot play any more, I would not be selling the banjo.
Sorry for the long winded add, but full disclosure is a must.
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