Used Epiphone EB-88 Minstrel

Most of those who know about the Kalamazoo-made Epiphone EB-88 banjo either own one or regret selling one back in the day, and with its prodigious punch and smoldering bluegrass tone, it's easy to see why. This example was built by Gibson in 1962 and features a flat head tone ring and a frosted Remo head signed by the late, great Ralph Stanley and his band, The Clinch Mountain Boys c. 2008. The wear in the original chrome plating and nitrocellulose finish tells a story of heavy use, especially on the back of the neck, but the banjo has held up well, all things considered, and is completely structurally and functionally sound. It's setup with comfortable action and no buzz up the substantial mahogany neck that tapers from a deep, fully rounded V at the low frets to a satisfying chunky U profile above the 5th position. Frets are in good shape, with wear limited to some flattening in the lower positions beneath a couple strings and no wear at all above the 4th fret—plenty of life in them yet. Includes what appears to be the original hard case in great functional condition with spots of peeled tolex and a replacement handle.

• Year: 1962
• Rim: Mahogany
• Resonator: Maple
• Neck/fingerboard: Mahogany/rosewood
• Tone ring: 20-hole flat head
• Inlays: Parallelogram fretboard position markers
• Binding: Aged white plastic, resonator back
• Nut width: 1-3/16"
• Scale length: 26-3/8"
• Tuners: Original planetary peghead tuners, Grover 5th string tuner
• Tailpiece: Waverly
• Weight: 10lbs 15oz