Overall Comments

I wanted to get an archtop that sounded like Ralph Stanley’s old Gibson. To me that was the best sounding banjo ever. I wanted the clear crisp piercing highs but I also wanted the rich strong 4th string that Ralph had. I looked at banjo’s across the country and also checked out using old wood rims and pre-wars. The prewars were too expensive. I talked to Dick Guggenheim of Norwich Connecticut and he thought he could build a banjo and get that sound. Dick is very innovative. Dick’s concept was that not everyone can have a pre war but you have to find a combination of things that make a similar vibrating unit.

As a result of searching for this sound Dick invented his new hybrid rim. It is made of lacewood and maple. Lacewood has been used by guitar makers to give an old vintage sound in guitars. Dick also experimented with all combinations: notched and grooved hoops, various tone rings including some 1960 Gibson archtops, different tail pieces and different heads and bridges. The result is a pot with a Gold Star tone ring, notched tension hoop, two piece tube and flange, clamshell tail piece and pre –epa Remo head. The sound is all I could hope for. All the strings have beautiful tone: the 4th string is rich and has excellent volume. The whole banjo rings like an archtop should! I am pleased and impressed with the tone every time I pick it up and the costs were very reasonable. Dick did all the work of fitting the ring to the rim and the neck to the pot.

The finish work that Dick did on my neck is absolutely gorgeous. Pictures of it can be seen on my homepage.

I will make a disclaimer that Dick and I became friends in the 70’s but we had been out of contact since the 80’s.

I highly recommend Dicks work as well as his hybrid rims.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

I have a 1980 Stelling Bellflower and wanted to get a richer tone out of it. I wrote Steve and asked him if he had a bridge that could do this. He recommended a maple bridge with a purple heart wood top instead of the ebony top. He also recommended a specific weight bridge. The bridge made and outstanding difference in the sound of the banjo. The tones were much richer. The volume which was already good increased significantly and the sustain also increased. His bridge really brought the banjo to life.
Steve was good for his word and said if the bridge was not what I want to send it back and there would be no charge.
I highly recommend Steve's knowledge, his integrity, and his bridge.
Ken

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

John understands this thing inside and out. He knows the small building blocks of thought processes you need to know to learn how to PLAY rather than attempt to mimic (tab). He knows how you have to practice, listen, and think in order to learn and grow. He knows how to weed out all the non-essential things you hear and think might be relative in order to get you to focus on the necessary. John is not only and excellent player but an excellent teacher as well. He knows how to get his knowledge across.

John will put in the time with you and will teach you with the intent of getting the job done with you - getting results - getting you to learn - getting you to be able to play. He is definitely not into just putting in his time. John loves the banjo. It has been his life and you can tell it when he teaches you.

John has studied what the masters and the new wave have done and thought. He can preform both. Along with this immense knowledge John also has the experience teaching to be able to get it across to the student.

If you study with John, you will learn how to play and be able to play. I wish I had found John 10 years ago.

Overall Rating

10