Overall Comments

A slick strap that cures any right hand , ring finger problems. Also has applications for Old Time players hand problems. It's inexpensive, comfortable and works well. An easy cure for run away ring finger. I really like it !!

Overall Rating

9

Overall Comments

Bought a couple of these when also purchasing a mountain dulcimer. The mid weight (white) ones are great, with a good grip around the thumb, durability and a clean picking action that means there is little "pick noise" at all. I like them so much that I have stocked up and now use them for pickin ' on all my instruments.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

I received the mute last week and have had the chance to use it daily since. I am really impressed with the tone - even muted - and the workmanship is outstanding. I am no longer banned to the furtherest reaches of the house when practicing. It is easy to attach and there is minimal interference with the right hand (nothing to worry about). The delivery was quick and the service outstanding.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

This is an App for iPhone. Despite the name it is not limited to guitars. It performs equally well with banjo, bass, mandolin, fiddle, uke, 12-string, etc,etc. There is a Tuner which is far more sensitive and smoother than a clip-on type.

It has a metronome with 13 sound effects and a full chord library (500,000 chords!) Chords sound realistically when screen is "strummed". Has left-handed feature to flip chords and scales around. Scales charts for each instrument in alt tunings. Has alternative tunings for each instrument. Very, very useful. Scored 4.5 / 5. Costs $12.99US. Only negative is it doesn't clip on and sense vibrations. (ie not too good in a noisy environment.)

Search iTunes App Store for "Guitar Toolkit"

Overall Rating

9

Overall Comments

took a while for it to arrive in the UK but worth the wait
it works just fine no rattles no buzz, doesnt fall off, well finished easy to fit
gives great sustain and creates a really nice tone
thinking of using the tone sometimes in performances by amplifying it
all in all a great piece of kit recommend it to anyone

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

I bought two of Tony Pass' Thinskirt rims, one for my bluegrass banjo (with JLS #12 tone ring), and the other a Thinskirt "Woodie" for my openback banjo. (The Woodie has the tone ring as an integral part of the rim, roughly similar to the original Deering Goodtime.) I cannot speak too highly of these rims. They made a remarkable improvement in tone and volume to both instruments.
When my openback instrument was set up with a Goldtone Whyte Laydye tone ring and 3/4" thick multi-ply rim (from a Gold Tone custom kit), it sounded kind of mediocre to my demanding ears. The rim & ring was replaced with Tony's rim. The volume increase was remarkable. A man in our house church heard the previous set-up, and with the new rim, he commented "Boy that thing is LOUD!" The tone quality increase is as remarkable as the volume is. This is - in my opinion - now the gold standard for open back banjo sound.
My bluegrass banjo was originally made from a Gold Tone OB250+ kit, which utilized a "professional" three-ply maple rim. As stated, after upgrading to the Thinskirt, I appreciate the superior quality of machining, tone, and volume that the Tony Pass gives me. Also of note is that, previously, my Fults BlueRidge Parallel tailpiece was kind of muddy sounding when my strings aged only a few weeks. With the Tony Pass rim, the Fults BlueRidge really comes into its own, and gives a quality, deep tone with good volume.
The rim apparently gives its bass tone enhancement out the back of the instrument, where the rim obviously is. I ended up removing the resonator off my bluegrass instrument to get all this glorious tone. If I perform publicly, I can reinstall it, to project the sound out.
Tony's Thinskirt rims are like comparing a Stradivarius violin to a commonly-available high quality violin. The Stradivarius is noted for power and tone, and very possibly utilized submerged wood, as Tony Pass does.
To obtain ideal tone, my set-up is:
Remo WeatherKing heads, tuned to 88 (Drumdial tuner) with the JLS #12 tone ring, and 89 on the Thinskirt Woodie. As a rule of thumb, JLS rings take a loose head, and Woodie rims take a tight head, for ideal sound.
Tailpieces: Openback: Fults 1934 Parallel; Bluegrass: Fults BlueRidge Parallel (custom order).
Strings make a huge difference in set-up; I use only Gibson Earl Scruggs strings. Currently I am using light gauge, although I will try out the medium gauge strings. Incidentally, my common practice with both banjo and guitar is to have my strings detuned one fret (the G string is tuned F sharp.) This practice gives me more sweetness and resonance to the sound of the instrument. Both banjos are loud, even though detuned in this way.
In closing, I recommend the Tony Pass Thinskirt very highly. For me, the difference was immediate. Tony says that many folks have a delayed effect ("bam effect") in which the boost in tone doesn't come until after playing for a period of time. For me, it was immediate.
I hope this helps in your selection of a rim. Tony Pass is the best.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

The mute is a spiffy looking brass and with an aluminum bar with two “feet” underneath and two brass thumbscrews on top. After two minutes turning it this way and that over the bridge (I’m not good at this kind of stuff) I figured it out and installed it. I’d read reviews of this mute but I wasn’t really prepared for the low, sweet sound the banjo has with it on. The mute doesn’t compromise the instrument at all, just gives a different sound that I like as much as the banjo unmuted. Now when I’m visiting my new grandson I can play the banjo without waking him and maybe even put him to sleep with its new quiet, dulcet tone. Highly recommended!

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

Absolutley fantastic. Rock solid and accurate. Quite easy to install. Set up is a little tricky but once you figure it out adjustments are easy.I did it without the tool kit supplied by the Manufacturer but it would be a good idea to order it. Besides, the deposit on it is refundable.Very discreet on the front of the peghead.I like them .LM.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

This is one SUPERIOR banjo mute...Mike's service is exemplary and only 72 hours from order to delivery!!!

'Mike's mute' performs WAY better than anything I have used to date! A small, sueded-leather storage pouch (included) allows the mute to be secured to your banjo for ready-use, if so-desired.

I tried my new 'Mike's mute' on both my Gibson Retro 4 and Stelling Red Fox banjos and was eminently pleased with its ease of use and moreover...with its PERFORMANCE!

Having very recently obtained and used this product...IMO, it is its combination of attributes...supreme ease of installation and removal, COMBINED with its effectiveness in muting the banjo...which places 'Mike's Mute' in its own class as a superior...(and nearly indispensible), banjo accessory.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

My search for the perfect bridge is over! Never have I owned a bridge that gives so much tone and clarity, and I've owned quite a few. I am constantly experimenting with different bridges, looking for the best tonal response, and this bridge gives great tone up and down the neck, both highs and lows. Would recommend this bridge anytime! Also, the customer service can't be beat! How often do you get to try before you buy? Thanks Dave! Will be doing more business with you in the future!

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

This is Ron's second model -- cut to fit an outline of the standard, all-metal arm rest you send him. I bought his first model about a year ago and highly recommend it. His #2 design is equally high-quality. It's L-shaped so that it fits both the top and the front (or side) of the arm rest. Mine is walnut and it's a beautiful piece of wood. It comes well-packed, with Ron's signature and the date of creation on the inside. The adhesive strips that Ron uses to attach the arm rest to your base are strong: it won't pop off or slip. Ron makes bridges, too, and I'm waiting for a chance to try the one he sent me. I recommend his products without reservation.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

Awesome! I'm a banjo newbie living in a house where sound travels. That meant no practicing after my wife and son are asleep. One of my banjo teacher's other students turned me onto Mike's Mute so I bought one, site unseen (or, rather, unheard) and I'm glad I did.

The banjo is much quieter now, though not at all muffled. If anything there is even more sustain with the mute on. I don't understand the mechanics of how it works, but it does. I can now pick away at all hours of the night without bothering anybody. I've taken to leaving the mute on most of the time while practicing so I don't have to worry about the rest of my family hearing Cripple Creek over and over and over again.

Customer service has also been awesome. I lost one of the thumbscrews (I blame my son...) and Mike was quick to make sure I got a replacement.

Go buy Mike's Mute. Your family will thank you.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

Best parts money that I have spent. It really helped tone on a very good banjo. I was very surprised at the increased clearity and volume from the tailpiece. It came with a Presto, I tried a Kershner. Both were fine. The Fults to my ear, has moved my Sullivan custom banjo with a historic rim into a whole different bracket as far as tone and volume. I have considered buying one for some time...I won't a banjo without one on it from now on.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

Ordered mute on 10/12 & received it on 10/15. How's that for service! Mute is very easy to put in place & you do not have to worry about moving the bridge as you do with some others. Mute is made with quality materials & even looks good (If that matters) I highly rate this product. Any user will definately be satisfied.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

I recently received a new nickel-plated BanjoMate Tone Enhancer from Doug Campbell of Little Mountain Music for comparison against the two unplated models that I have used for the last several months. I have found the unplated version performs as advertised – it does increase volume somewhat and enhances the tone of the banjos in which I have installed it. The changes are not dramatic but are definitely noticeable and can be altered by changing the position of the metal plate in the resonator. The new nickel-plated Tone Enhancer performs equally as well.
For the comparison I installed the Tone Enhancers in a number of different banjos with substantially different tones and setups. The banjos used were:
1. Ode Style D (1977)
2. Gibson RB-3 (1993)
3. Stelling Master’s Cross Deluxe (1988)
4. Gibson RB-4 Custom (1993)
5. Fender Artist (early 70’s)
6. Parts Banjo w/ Cox rim, Fitch Nitro II ring, Fawley maple neck and reso
7. Parts Banjo w/FQM cryogenic ring on Cox rim with a Fawley maple neck and reso
8. Parts Banjo w/ FQM Old Growth rim, Beartracks ring with a walnut RB-4 copy neck and reso.

I placed the plate with one side parallel to the neck slot in the resonator and as close to the neck slot as possible. This seems to yield more low-end response yet still provides ample “punch”. I used the same placement of the plate in all of the banjos as this position gives the tone that I prefer. In each banjo I tried the nickel-plated model, the unplated model and finally, with neither of the Tone Enhancers installed.
What I found was a bit surprising. Although both models of the Tone Enhancer worked well in all of the banjos, the nickel-plated model sounded best to my ear in those banjos set up with a heavier tailpiece and a tighter head. They include the Ode, Stelling and parts banjos No. 6, No.7 and No. 8. (All of the parts banjos have either a Kerschner or Price tailpiece.) The nickel model seemed to increase the low-end response more than the unplated model and gave those banjos more punch and clarity. Comparatively the unplated model worked better than the nickel version in those banjos that I have set up with Presto tailpieces and looser head tension. They include the RB-3, RB-4 and the Fender Artist (Grover tailpiece). In those banjos the unplated model increased the low-end and punch.
The nickel model is slightly heavier than the unplated one which may account for the difference in banjos set up for a brighter tone although I did find that it brought out the low-end response. The Velcro mount made it very simple to change between the models and to move the unit around the resonator.
Obviously this review is totally subjective and only represents what I hear from the Tone Enhancers. I am a Kerschner tailpiece fan and like my banjo heads moderately tight. I look forward to hearing reviews from those that prefer Prestos and looser head tension. Overall though I like the performance of the Tone Enhancers. Both models offer flexibility and control in altering and improving a banjo's tone but now prefer I the nickel-plated version.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

New Plated type.
Used on two banjos.
As good as the old type. I think I have a little more volume than the the Older type. Worth the money.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

These "strap shoes" are designed to let you use a standard guitar strap with your open-back or resonator banjo. You buy two of them and replace two of the existing shoes on your banjo. The hook that goes with the original shoe will fit right into the strap shoe. The shoes are made of solid brass and are well machined...no hard or sharp edges, no filings to scratch your finish. I bought one set, loved the way they fit my Mike Coleman open-back and ordered two more sets. Jeff Kramer, owner of Cloverlick Banjos, is the designer and creator. Definitely worth the money. A fine product from a straight-ahead guy.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

Besides his line of very, very nicely made banjos, Will sells an elegant tailpiece in polished brass or nickel plate. It's often advertised in Banjo Newsletter and you can see it on his website, FieldingBanjos.com. It reminds me of the turn-of-the-century tailpieces on English banjos. It's perfect for an older banjo of the 1800 or 1900's. I put mine on a Tim Smith restoration that Tim dubbed a "Lange-Tone" since he assembled it from an early 1900s Lange mandolin pot and a Gold Tone neck for a 5-string. Anyway, check out Will's tailpiece if you want something elegant and understated. Nice work, Will, thank you!

Overall Rating

9

Overall Comments

Ive been having a hankering to try one of these Beavers for a while now. Dave was a complete joy to work with and his customer service is second to none. He insisted that I try before I buy and made a custom 11/16th comp beaver for me. I asked him to thin it out a little bit and he did just that. Ive tried a number of bridges on my Hatfield Special. And the Beaver hasnt left..... Very happy with the entire transaction.. thanks

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

In my opinion quite simply the best.

When I rang Kieth Calton to place my order I was reassured by the ammount of measurements he required, that I was making the right decision. The case is tailored to fit the Banjo absolutely perfectly.

The interior is massively padded and then treated to some nice plush fluff. A generous pick box sits in the centre.

The 5 catches close with a gratifying SNAP! The hinges are solid as a rock. the handle is trustworthy and solid. The outer construction is as hard as nails with no joins in it; other than the one that lets you put your banjo in! the closing edges have a rubber seal all the way around that makes the fit when you close the lid that little more solid. There are 13 little plastic bumpers screwed to the outside of the case in all the places where it is likely to get bumped most frequently; which is another reassuring feature. The case also comes with two 'D' links to attatch a shoulder strap to. They are reassuringly heavy!

Overall Rating

10