Hopkins Nickel/Mahogany 3058-1
submitted 11/19/2010
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Submitter |
OMB |
Where Purchased |
Monroe Music-Starvy Creek Bluegrass festival |
Year Purchased |
2009 |
Price Paid |
Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
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Sound
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I have refrained from doing reviews of any banjo for at least, (in this case), a year and a half. The reason is they change, I change them, and I soon find I am never satisfied with the sound and move on. This banjo has been the only departure from that for 30 years. I have not touched the bridge, head tension, tailpiece, truss rods, or anything but strings since purchase. The setup was that good.
I record a lot in my studio, write songs etc. The sound, in a studio and out at various venues and jamming is consistently superior. I have played a lot of pre-war banjos and while would die to have one, I have been impressed with the bass and midrange response on this banjo. While comparisons are eternally subjective, Paul Hopkins gets it, and this sound gets it. |
Sound Rating |
10 |
Setup
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See above - don't touch it. |
Setup Rating |
10 |
Appearance
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I have owned several Stellings, a Williams, several Gibsons, Stealths, Nechvilles, Deering Saratoga Star and now Hopkins. All these luthiers are fine craftsmen and for the most part build very high quality instruments these days. The DP Hopkins was flawless. Birdseye maple on resonator was exceptional. |
Appearance Rating |
10 |
Reliability
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Instrument was purchased at the Starvy Creek Bluegrass Festival at the Morgan Music "shack" from Alvin Deskins, July 4, 2009. It has been played daily since and very reliable. Took it down to Starvy Creek past July and asked Alvin if he suggested anything and he said "Don't touch it" and I agreed. No backup banjo at gigs - this is it. |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
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Would recommend Alvin Deskins at Morgan Music without hesitation. Patient, relaxed, never in a hurry, always candid with comparisons, and very fair. Never any need for repair or warranty, but not concerned at all if it should come up. |
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
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If I constantly, (in the past), change anything it is stock bridges or heads. I have never touched this bridge or even adjusted the tension on this head. I get all kinds of opinions at festivals regarding this in general since banjo players are "born to tweak", but the components have obviously been chosen and setup with extreme care on this banjo. Paul Hopkins makes his own tone rings and I have no idea what he is doing nor have I ever had the banjo apart. Obviously with this unpaid, unsolicited and dated review, he makes a formidable tone ring. |
Components Rating |
10 |
Overall Comments
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Banjos are a constant and fun debate at festivals. My apologies for being glowing about the above, but it is what it is. The Morgan Music website cartoon on "tone rings" is a testament to this and hilarious. They sell lots of brands, by the way. ".....who would buy a $3000+ piece of metal that is a mystery why it works and causes constant arguments?" ".....because they say if you buy it you will sound like Earl." |
Overall Rating |
10 |
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