Overall Comments

(kinda like coffee) anyway! Chris did a magnificent job on my parts banjo. Installed frets perfectly. Did a neck reset/recut. filled and re-set the co-rods. Buffed out the new lacquer for me. Made sure every thing fit rightl, set it up and sent it back in record time. Chris used to work for Huber and knows what he is doing. He can really do a great job. I'm sold. Chris is the man to go to. He's in middle Tenn. if that matters to you.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

Don recently did some very delicate work on the neck of my '67 Baldwin Style D. The workmanship was superb. Beyond the repair work, he also re-setup the banjo and it is sounding better right now than it ever has.

For my Baldwin D, he: 1) repaired and replaced some binding; 2) re-set the neck to get rid of a buzz; 3) threw in a Snuffy Smith bridge.

The binding repair was the touchiest problem. But he matched the exact color and design of the original.

Besides being extraordinarily competent, he is a genuinely nice person. I highly recommend Don. Be sure and take him a couple of sacks of fresh-picked turnip greens when you stop by. You'll make a friend for life.

Ebo Walker, Ararat, NC

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

I have owned a Robin Smith timeless banjo for 5 years.I have had a Stelling whitestar archtop, a 2005 Gibson rb-250,and a Recording King rk-80L with a Fitch nitro tonering.The timeless is by far the best I have ever played.It was great until I recently sent it to Robin for some needed work and a set-up..Now it is unbelievable.I will never part with it! Robin is the best,also a very nice guy to talk to. I recommended him to a friend to have a five string neck made for his vega four string and he did an awsome job on that.We picked that one up at his shop in Hendersonville and had a great visit with Robin and Ronnie Reno.I highly recommend Robin for all your banjo needs.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

“Timmo” fills a niche market for the banjo enthusiast who favors the vintage banjos of the past. Originally, I had arranged to have a neck made by one of the premier neck builders for a Vega Little Wonder pot I had purchased. Unfortunately, after more than a year of waiting, I decided it was time to find a different builder. I stumbled on Tim’s “Save the Banjos” web site, contacted him, discussed my needs and he proceeded with the project. The end result—I could not be more pleased. He constructed a neck perfectly balance for the pot, did a banjo set up, supplied a quality bridge and strings (I supplied the tuners) all for an unbelievable price. The neck was simple and elegant… constructed from a maple blank with an ebony fret board and the traditional star on the head and 5th fret. I own several banjos from low to high end, and this, along with my Vega Tubby, are by far my favorites to play and to just admire.
In sum, Banjos are obviously a work of love for Tim, because he certainly cannot make a living on his prices.
(One caveat, Timmo did say this project was not his usual thing, but he did such a great job and I was/am so pleased I wanted to get the word out.)

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

I was banjagnostic: unconvinced that it was possible to achieve "that tone" on a limited budget. Then John showed me THE WAY. I found an old rim and he custom built a great-sounding banjo around it.
John is a phenomenal banjo player, and his luthiery reflects his passion. He'll listen to your concerns and patiently tweak the setup to assist you on your journey to obsession satisfaction.
Go see him!

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

I've known Don for many years. He is a stand-up guy in every way. When you think of the word "integrity" Don fits the description of that word completely. He is the best at fixing anything wrong with a banjer better than anybody I've ever seen. He has more knowledge on pre-war Gibsons then you could take in a full day of discussion that subject. I highly recommend him for any and all banjer work. If you want it done right and done right the first time take it to Don, you will not be disapointed. And yep it's "banjer" here in old North Carolina, that's the way we say it, so that's the way we spell it.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

Spent some time at arthurs place this past week and let me tell ya I am blown away by his passion for banjos. He just loves them. Even though he only did some minor work for me while I was there it was his attitude about doing it that was so great. I got the chance to play several of his banjos he built and let me tell ya that there is not a bad one in his bunch. If you need any work done from spike installs to having a full banjo built do yourself a favor and contact arthur before you make a decision. You will not find better service or quality at a better price!!!

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

i thought i knew how to keep my banjo up and running at its peak performance but i was having trouble getting THAT sound back after
the old remo head split on me. i struggled with it for quite some time trying one thing then another. then i called don and set up a time to take it up to him. when i arrived i was greeted like we had knew each other all our lives and we went down to his work shop in the basement.
when i went in there were many old banjos lying on the floor with cases open and don said lets pick one, so we did, i got mine out and let him pick it and listen then i explained what i was and wasn't hearing in mine that i thought i ought to. he played it nd said well it ain't bad but lets try this. so he did a few things to it. and we played it some and it got better. so he wanted to try a couple of other things and it got real good.
before i left it was honkin like it used too. we done some trading and
i left so pleased and glad that my main player is back to sounding correct again. don knows his stuff and is a super builder also. he let me play a mack crowe version he built and i swear it sounded old as dirt just like an old pre war, and looked fantastic to boot.
don is a great guy to talk to and a great repair/ builder also.
so if you need someone that is in the north carolina area and knows
his stuff he would be the man to call.
i would highly reccommend him to anyone needing some work done or
if you have a banjo you just can't get right, take it up there , you won't be sorry .

thanks again don

terry martin aka (1935tb-11)

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

John recently repaired my RB00 and installed spikes. He is an absolute artist when it comes to repairing instruments. He has just finished a complete banjo for one of my friends, and is building a neck for another. Top quality work for reasonable rates. Cant' go wrong....

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

I selected John Ramsey for a serious repair (neck angle) based largely on BHO recommendations.

I bought a used 1963 Ode Longeneck Openback (Series 43). It was well cared for but poorly set-up. John Ramsey changed the neck angle by trimming the heel of the neck, reset the dowell stick, dressed the worn frets, put on a new head & proper bridge, and adjusted everything. He returned to me a 46 year old 'new' treasure. He is simply a joy to do business with and to see him work.

Tejon Street Music is in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Its hundreds of miles from my home in Arizona but I won't hesitate to make the trip again.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

I just met Don a couple of weeks ago and right away he seems like one of those people that even though you just met him you've known him all your life. I had a new build I was having trouble getting the neck to rim fit correct on and he straightened it right out for me. The action is alot better than what I'm used to with great clarity up the neck. One heckuva nice guy and very good to deal with and great prices to boot. I highly recommend him to anybody in the NC - VA area that needs any banjo work done, or any other area as far as that goes. Thanks again Don-- Bluedawg

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

I recently asked John Boulding to build a new "H & F" neck for my 1960's Gibson Mastertone. I just received the banjo with the new neck and I am absolutely delighted with it. It is perfect and exceeds my every expectation!! John also set it up and it sounds great. I would add that dealing with John was a pleasure. He is clearly a Master Craftsman. We discussed all issues, including the pros and cons of all choices that I needed to make, and he provided thoughtful and knowledgeable advice. He also provided an estimate with all terms clearly articulated, including the estimated time. John did all he said he would do to perfection in a timely manner and within budget. He kept me updated throughout so that there were no surprises. I find his work to be incredibly beautiful, timely and reasonably priced. I couldn't be more satisfied and I would strongly recommend John without reservation.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

Bill Hayes converted an early Gibson TB-100 pot assembly into a RB-4. He had Jimmy Cox re-skin the resonator with a beautiful burled walnut. Bill built the neck out of walnut using customized measurements to fit my hand easily. He did the Flying Eagle pattern on the neck by hand, using paua abalone on a gorgeous piece of Brazilian rosewood. He also did the marquetry inlay of the concentric rings on the resonator.

This Gibson, "Willie", has sounded tremendous since Day One! With its No-hole Dannick tone ring, all the great sounds which it puts forth are magnified without any extra effort on my part. The tone is clear and true along the entire neck, & Willie, being the cannon that "he" is, is a favorite among the banjo pickers at all the jams I attend.

Bill Hayes is a delightful fellow to deal with, in every respect. He is careful to be sure he builds you exactly what you want, sparing no details. His workmanship is incredible. It has indeed been an honor to have such a fine luthier build me this banjo.

Thank you Bill Hayes!

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

I was fortunate enough to aquire a great old pot through the Banjo Hangout. John helped me date it to pre or early civil war. I then turned to John to make me a neck suitable to the circa. John helped me keep the original look while making some great sugesstions for modernizing. when I got the neck it was everything I had hoped for! I would recommend John to anyone! His work is both thoughtful and careful. John is a man that obviously LOVES his work and it shows!

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

John just replaced the binding on my 1974 Gibson RB 250 resonator. The binding was cracked and crumbling away. I shipped it to John from SC. He made the repair and shipped it back. I'm very pleased with the way it turned out and the quality of John's work. I was concerned about the new binding not matching the original neck binding, but John antiqued the binding the same color as the old that had yellowed over the years. I definitely recommend his work.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

I was SO disappointed when John told me he was no longer taking orders for banjo necks. He built three Gibson-style necks for me over about a ten-year period and every one of them was not just flawless, but played easily and felt "just right". John was always an absolute pleasure to deal with and my thanks go out to Peter Schwimmer of BHO for recommending him to me.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

John just finished a set up and speed neck for my new Gold Star GF85. It was a good banjo before but now it is a great banjo. I knew that it had more to give, it just needed some one to find it and John did. My friend who plays a 1937 Top Tension Gibson was blown away with the old sound that my banjo now produces. The playability is now awesome and the speed neck had a great feel to it.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

Gene is a great luthier, and a great picker!!! He builds the best mandolins banjos guitars you name it he builds it... and he is cheap and fast!!!!

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

I had John do a full setup on my banjo. Over the years I felt I just wasn't getting the full potential out of it. John tried different tone rings and bridges, and even shimmed the neck. When I got it back I could immediately feel and hear the improvements. I appreciated the amount of time he spent on my banjo, and he communicated well with me during the process. I would highly recommend his services to anyone.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

Bill just built me a 5-string neck for the 1935 TB 1 I got from Jim Mills last year when he played near here (Albany, NY). I picked it up last week at the Joe Val festival in Massachusetts.
The neck from Bill is great. It has the shape and contours I wanted, a beautifully done sunburst finish on the back showing the flame maple and a fine Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with perfectly cut inlays.
He also put in a Dannick tone ring and the banjo has a great sound- full, loud when necessary and with a lot of crack.
His work is excellent, and I would recommend him without reservation.
Plus, he's a really nice guy.

Review from Bob Altschuler

Overall Rating

10