Hatfield Buck Creek
submitted 6/27/2005
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Submitter |
banjonut49 |
Where Purchased |
Hatfield Banjo Glasgow KY |
Year Purchased |
2005 |
Price Paid |
Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
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Sound
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This is a great sounding banjo! I was at Arthurs when he put it togeather and both of us were very surprised at how good it sounded right from the first tune played on it. Because of a different tone ring and resonator, it has a somewhat different sound than my first Buck Creek. With the Hatfield no hole ring and the Gill resonator, I believe it sounds as close to a pre war as you can get. We compared this banjo with several pre war conversions that he owns and it came so close to the best one he has that it was amazing! It is actually better than some of the pre war conversions he has. Rich tone, with just the right amount of sustain, Clear up the neck with no loss of volumn. This could well be my main banjo for years to come.
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Sound Rating |
10 |
Setup
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I watched Arhur assemble and set up this banjo and it is set up just the way I like a banjo. Other than tweaking the head tension as required, I see no reason to mess around with the set up. Arthur fits his tone rings quite loose and in my opinion, thats the way to go! The Hatfield ring is very easy to set up compared with the Huber ring in my other Buck Creek. |
Setup Rating |
10 |
Appearance
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Mahogany neck, Cox hard maple rim with a Gill resonator. Standard Hatfield snowflake inlays that in my eye are very attractive. I wanted to take the banjo back to Canada with me the next day after Arthur assembled it so the resonator was not quite finished off. I could use a couple more coats but the wood is sealed so no problem there. If I had waited until he finished the resonator and shipped it to me, I would be taking a chance on damage in shipping and would have cost me more. Im happy with it the way it is. I have to give Arthur a 10 for the finish because its my choice to take it before he was done with the resonator. |
Appearance Rating |
10 |
Reliability
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Arthur uses the Gibson USA one piece flange, best quality tension hoop, co-ordinator rods and the standard Presto tailpiece. The finish on the neck and inlays are excellent. I would use this banjo anywhere, and put it against any banjo out there, including many costing 3 times as much. |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
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Arthur is a great person to deal with. He doesnt want you to buy something unless you are completely happy with it. Im sure that if I had a serious problem with the banjo, I could ship it to him and he would either fix it, or in an extreme circumstance, replace it. |
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
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The Hatfield no hole ring (nickle) is the best ring I have heard. It is stronger above 12 than the Huber, in my opinion, is easier to set up. We tried several resonators on the banjo and found the Gill resonator suited the best. This banjo was also a bit surprising when we tried several of Arthurs bridges on it and they all sounded good. That is unusual as Arthur would be the first to say. I got the 2 that sounded the best. |
Components Rating |
10 |
Overall Comments
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I would recommend Arthurs banjos to any serious picker, professional of amature like me. His prices are very reasonable for the quality of work that he does and the tone that his banjos produce. I watched him assemle the banjo and it has to be perfect (neck fit to pot) ect. Or he will not accept it. |
Overall Rating |
10 |
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Hatfield Buck Creek
submitted 9/17/2003
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Submitter |
banjonut49 |
Where Purchased |
Hatfield Banjos, Glasgow Ky |
Year Purchased |
2003 |
Price Paid |
Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
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Sound
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This is an excellent bluegrass banjo. Deep low end and clear up the neck with no loss of volume. The Buck Creek has the traditional sound associated with the pre war gibsons. Very good neck hand made by Arthur. Good tone variation between the bridge and the neck. This banjo is perfect for my style of playing. Very nice indeed! |
Sound Rating |
10 |
Setup
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The banjo was very well set up when I recieved it. The only thing I had to do was make a small head adjustment. The Huber ring is sensitive to head tension, but when you get the proper setting, it is beautiful! I ordered both the 5/8 and the 11/16 compensated bridges and it sounds great with either. I am using the 11/16 because I like the higher action. |
Setup Rating |
10 |
Appearance
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The Buck Creek has a mahogany neck and resonator, very nicely finished with no flaws that i can see. The neck is very nice indeed! I have recieved many comments on the inlay. Very tastefully done! Very nice inlay on the peghead also. Arthur makes it appear aged which is a real nice touch. First Quality chrome hardware, cant go wrong there! |
Appearance Rating |
10 |
Reliability
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This banjo is meant to be played and i cant see myself ever needing to purchase another because I cant see myself finding another as well built that sounds as good! I would put this banjo up against any model currently made today. This will be my workhorse banjo for a long time to come. |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
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Arthur is a great person to deal with. We discussed on the phone the type of music I play, my style of playing, how i wanted the banjo set up and finished. I cant see anything serious ever going wrong but if it ever did, I would simply send it to Arthur to be repaired. |
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
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This banjo has the Jimmy Cox hard maple 3 ply rim and the Huber flathead tonering. This is beyond arguement, one of the best combinations available for the closest proximation of the pre war sound. The metal parts are standard for the industry, well respected and used by almost every builder. Arthur makes his own bridge which works very well. I see no need to upgrade anything. |
Components Rating |
10 |
Overall Comments
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This banjo is an absolute bargain for the price!! I have never played a better banjo, for sound and playability! I have played new Gibsons, Deerings and this banjo out performs them all! If this banjo was ever stolen, I would be on the phone to Arthur right away to get another one. This banjo is in my opinion the best available! Especially, for the price!! I rate it as excellent! |
Overall Rating |
10 |
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