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wtbryant - Posted - 07/13/2009: 15:03:24
Made a trip to Arthur's yesterday. We didn't stay that long; just long enough for my son to play his fiddle for Arthur. Also, Arthur made a few minor adjustments in my Buck Creek. It's amazing the ear he has for what a banjo needs.
Anybody that does not consider a Hatfield when buying a new banjo is simply uninformed. Nobody makes a better banjo at ANY price. It just so happens that Arthur's are $1500 cheaper than anything comparable on the market.
I'm thankful to have a Stelling (which I still love) and a Hatfield Buck Creek. I honestly believe I have the absolute best of both worlds.
Keep Pickin!!!
Todd
Todd
Prewar3 - Posted - 07/13/2009: 17:35:26
Arthur is making a neck for me. Initially it started out as a conversion neck but I had to sell the banjo due to illness, bills, and general life. So Arthur continued on with the neck and I managed to come up with a used resonator off an RB-3, gold plated parts and Arthur is making a Cox rim and matching the stain to the resonator. I am sure its gonna be a beauty and I also was able to pick up a used unplated Blaylock tone ring. I can't wait to see it and hear it. I've heard nothing but great things about Arthurs work and am sure he is making me a beautiful banjo. My wife is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer and even with health insurance the medical bills are mounting. I went thru cancer treatment during 2007 so I am happy to be able to give back to her what she gave to me during '07. She's a champ too, never complains or whines and I know the chemo makes her so sick. After 12 weeks of chemo she has 9 weeks of radiation treatment. But she keeps her spirits up and looks at everything in a positive way. When I realize I may "whine" over not having a banjo right now I then realize what she is coping with and it makes me feel like such a "wheenie". But back to the banjos, it should be finished in the next 3-4 weeks and I can't wait. Jim
Jim Prewar3
cardinbanjo - Posted - 07/13/2009: 19:43:12
Jim,
He made a neck for me with gull inlays and he fit it to a blaylock beartracks, cox rim, and a Gill resonator that was finished by Cliff Fitch. Arthur put it all together and set it up. It is a really great banjo, Arthur does awesome work and he is one of the best people you will ever meet. I hope your wife comes through her treatments ok, I will pray for your family. Goodluck with your new Hatfield !!!
Tony
cardinbanjo
Prewar3 - Posted - 07/13/2009: 21:57:16
Thanks Tony for the prayers. I am really excited to get the banjo back from Arthurs. Do you use his bridges? If so, what do you think of them? I haven't used one yet but imagine that he is going to put one on the banjo he's putting together for me. It seems to be compensated, which is nice. I've heard nothing but great things about both Arthur and his wife Beverly. I already have my eyes set on that new model Arthur is making, the Aurora model. It has a newer tone ring called an Ebbe and it looks beautiful. One thing I've noticed about Hatfield banjos is they are priced great. It will take me awhile to put the dough together for the Aurora but one day I'll own one. Jim
Jim Prewar3
axsis - Posted - 07/14/2009: 04:03:40
Jim, In my opinion Arthur's compensated bridges are great. I too have been "eying" the Aurora model. Great banjo. Best to your wife
Cheers!
Don
RB100 - Posted - 07/14/2009: 04:11:18
quote:
Originally posted by Prewar3
Thanks Tony for the prayers. I am really excited to get the banjo back from Arthurs. Do you use his bridges? If so, what do you think of them? I haven't used one yet but imagine that he is going to put one on the banjo he's putting together for me. It seems to be compensated, which is nice. I've heard nothing but great things about both Arthur and his wife Beverly. I already have my eyes set on that new model Arthur is making, the Aurora model. It has a newer tone ring called an Ebbe and it looks beautiful. One thing I've noticed about Hatfield banjos is they are priced great. It will take me awhile to put the dough together for the Aurora but one day I'll own one. Jim
Jim Prewar3
Jim, First of all, as with everyone on the Hangout I am sure, my best wishe for your wife... As for Arthur's bridges, they are second to none (IMO) and you will be fortunate enough to have him fit one personally to your banjo and that is definitely a plus! He may try a dozen of his bridges before he finds the one that is just what you are looking for...can't beat that type of service! Bill "I''ve been to Georgia on a fast train..." Shaver North Georgia Bluegrass Chronicles http://bcbrown.net/bluegrass/chronicles/
wtbryant - Posted - 07/14/2009: 04:24:13
I played an Aurora while I was up there. It was a solid banjo, but, I think I like the sound of the Hatfield ring better. The Aurora had a "softer" sound while the Hatfield ring seemed to have more punch. It was noticeably different. I'd encourage you to play both before deciding.
Jim, I saw several necks that he was working on too. Perhaps one of them was yours.
Todd
rjanecek - Posted - 07/14/2009: 05:13:15
Im a new Hatfield Special owner, and a pretty darn happy one at that..... Its been a nice journey for me to sample a few others, Im pretty sure this Hatfield has found its "forever home"
Rick
stelling man - Posted - 07/14/2009: 05:20:25
You can't get a better banjo, than one of Arthur's..
STELLING MAN
wtbryant - Posted - 07/20/2009: 04:32:33
You are correct. My Hatfield plays and sounds as good as anything I've ever played. It's different from the Stelling (sound wise), but, every bit as good. Arthur is an outstanding builder. He's also an extremely humble and honest builder. That's worth a lot to me.
Todd
MYLO - Posted - 07/20/2009: 05:25:27
I love mine!!
" I want it to sound,,,, like a DANG BANJER!!"
MYLO - Posted - 07/20/2009: 05:26:44
I'm with you Todd. It's hard to beat a Hatfield ring.
" I want it to sound,,,, like a DANG BANJER!!"
cardinbanjo - Posted - 07/20/2009: 16:25:47
Jim,
Sorry I have n ot responded to your question, yes I use Arthur's bridegs and they are very good, some are absolutely awesome.. I probably own 10 of them, a couple of my favorites are made with the Sullivan FF wood. You can't go wrong with anything that Arthur puts his name on. There are several people making good bridges but I think Arthur has the best compensated.
Tony
cardinbanjo
goldtopia - Posted - 07/21/2009: 07:51:00
This Arthur Hatfield chap seems a pretty talented bloke. Why don't we hear more about him. Unfortunately we don't ever see Hatfield, Hopkins or Fitch banjos in the UK, unless someone buys and imports one. The only way to know about these geezers is if they make themselves better known. Maybe then they would have a better market in the UK. When I was young I had an ambition to have a music shop but instead ran a printing business for 25 years before I retired, but if I had a music shop these are the banjos I would like to sell, including of course our best banjo from Griffon and Titan.
Bill.O
www.bluegrassminstrels.co.uk
axsis - Posted - 07/21/2009: 08:29:43
Bill, Check the classifieds here as I believe there is a Hatfield for sale in the UK as it is priced in "Sterling"
Cheers!
Don
eagleisland - Posted - 07/21/2009: 10:02:27
quote:
Originally posted by goldtopia
This Arthur Hatfield chap seems a pretty talented bloke. Why don't we hear more about him. Unfortunately we don't ever see Hatfield, Hopkins or Fitch banjos in the UK, unless someone buys and imports one. The only way to know about these geezers is if they make themselves better known.
Bill, some builders prefer to work directly with customers and not go through distribution networks. I can't speak for the others but I know that Arthur has zero interest in setting up a distribution network involving stores. Doing so would mean that the price of his banjos would have to rise significantly in order for the stores to make a profit, and Arthur is (justifiably) proud that his banjos offer such terrific value for money. Setting up a distribution network would change that. If you ever get down his way (a visit to the Nashville area) you can play a Hatfield, then go to the Gibson showcase at the Opryland Mall and play a Gibson that's $1500 more and isn't a better banjo. Why so? Because even though the Gibsons are made right there on premises, they still have to pump the price up so as not to undermine the sales of resellers elsewhere. Arthur is also quite content to be a one-man shop (less certain functions he subs out, such as fingerboard and peghead overlay inlway work). Arthur also builds the necks for Williams banjos. Staying small also affords him the ability to establish direct, one-to-one relationships with his customers. I can stop in any time for a setup tweak, a cup of coffee, some good conversation, some pickin' and some possum. You can't get that from Gibson. He's doing what he wants to do, and he's doing it the way he wants to do it. Personally, I find that admirable. eagleisland "I was halfway to Old Kentucky when the drugs began to kick in." - Hunter S. Monroe
Edited by - eagleisland on 07/21/2009 20:09:42
axsis - Posted - 07/21/2009: 12:02:16
I agree Skip!
Cheers!
Don
pipefitter61 - Posted - 07/21/2009: 17:08:23
Skip, don't forget. We NOW have a turtle petting zoo as well! We've been raising them for a couple years now. Arthur has them trained to stampede when they hear "Pop the Weasel"
kat eyz - Posted - 07/21/2009: 17:44:46
Ed LOL ! ...that story you told about Arthur and the "snappin" turtle at spbgma was so funny!!...still laughing about that.
mike smith www.kateyzbb.com
Timron - Posted - 07/21/2009: 17:54:02
The last time Ma Hatfield heard Pop The Weasel she killed everything big enough to die...
pipefitter61 - Posted - 07/21/2009: 17:59:09
Mikeee! Where in the Billy Hell have ya been man? Good to see ya! You know the sad part about that story is it's TRUE! Tim, me and Arthur had it going on twin banjos on Saturday... If she hadn't had company, we'd probably both be resting with the worms!
eagleisland - Posted - 07/21/2009: 20:11:37
quote:
Originally posted by pipefitter61
Skip, don't forget. We NOW have a turtle petting zoo as well! We've been raising them for a couple years now. Arthur has them trained to stampede when they hear "Pop the Weasel"
You call that a petting zoo? Where I come from, petting zoos have BABY animals and they have FUR or FEATHERS and they're SOFT and they don't ATTEMPT TO REMOVE YOUR FINGERS. Can't say any of the above about YOUR inventory. When I see YOUR petting zoo, I see soup. eagleisland "I was halfway to Old Kentucky when the drugs began to kick in." - Hunter S. Monroe
Edited by - eagleisland on 07/22/2009 19:01:41
pipefitter61 - Posted - 07/22/2009: 17:03:55
Don't make me put you on the "turtle petting zoo" blacklist there fella!
eagleisland - Posted - 07/22/2009: 19:00:32
quote:
Originally posted by pipefitter61
Don't make me put you on the "turtle petting zoo" blacklist there fella!
I've been on more impressive blacklists than yours, Bub. And as long as I can still get into the driveway at the end of Burton Ridge Road and am welcomed in the shop, I've got no particular need to hang out with your exoskeletal pets.  eagleisland "I was halfway to Old Kentucky when the drugs began to kick in." - Hunter S. Monroe
pipefitter61 - Posted - 07/23/2009: 06:45:59
Oh sure, use them fancy words like ektoskelton (red skelton's brother) and cornfuse the issue....LOL
SJL - Posted - 07/23/2009: 10:40:07
Ed, you've got it all wrong again, Red's brother was Hector. I can see where you could get confused though.
"If the woman is alive at the end of the song, it ain''t Bluegrass".
2007 Hatfield Walnut Custom
1976 (?) Aria Pro Tree of Life
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