Richard Brown Concert Banjo Uke
submitted 2/6/2013
|
Submitter |
George Flink |
Where Purchased |
from maker |
Year Purchased |
2013 |
Price Paid |
1400 ($US) |
Sound
|
I play banjo uke for rhythum in Old Time music. The sound is bright without being strident. It has a fuller sound than some other ukes. I switched a fiberskin for the renaisance head and put in Aquilla 7u all nylgut strings. |
Sound Rating |
9 |
Setup
|
Set up was fine. The head switch and string change is personal preference. |
Setup Rating |
9 |
Appearance
|
Just beautiful! Mesquite neck and pot. "Texas ebony"trim and fingerboard. Matte finish. Antiqued brass hardware. Inlay of pearl star surrounded by tourquiose and copper with pearl crescents. Side dots. Peg head geared tuners. No flaws. Could not have asked for more. |
Appearance Rating |
10 |
Reliability
|
The hardware is first rate. The uke should outlast me. I would use it without a back up at a gig. |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
|
Dealing with Richard is a real pleasure. Very available by phone and email. |
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
|
The geared pegheads are great.Top quality all the way. |
Components Rating |
10 |
Overall Comments
|
One of the nicest banjo ukes I have ever seen or played. |
Overall Rating |
10 |
|
George Banjos banjo uke
submitted 12/9/2011
|
Submitter |
George Flink |
Where Purchased |
Maker |
Year Purchased |
2011 |
Price Paid |
800 ($US) |
Sound
|
Sound is great. Bright. Good for OT rhythm |
Sound Rating |
9 |
Setup
|
It was set up well. I sanded down the bridge for a lower action and put on higher tension strings. |
Setup Rating |
8 |
Appearance
|
Beautiful. 5 piece curly maple neck with ebony fb and abalone dots. Bound maple pot. Nicely shaped peghead. No flaws. Interesting bracket band. |
Appearance Rating |
10 |
Reliability
|
Hardware and finish seem first rate. Rickard(?)4 string tailpiece. |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
|
Tom was very accomodating and responsive to my wishes. He provided pictures along the way to keep me informed. |
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
|
No cheap or weak looking parts. Nice tp. |
Components Rating |
9 |
Overall Comments
|
Exceptional uke and process with the builder. Much nicer than I expected for the money. |
Overall Rating |
10 |
|
Wickland Banjo uke-tenor
submitted 10/12/2011
|
Submitter |
George Flink |
Where Purchased |
From maker |
Year Purchased |
2011 |
Price Paid |
1200 ($US) |
Sound
|
I'm just getting into banjo ukes and this is my second. I use it as a rhythum instrument in OT. Wonderful sound, loud and deep because of the 10 in. pot. |
Sound Rating |
9 |
Setup
|
I changed the head from Renaisance to Fiberskin to deaden the sound somewhat. Put on standard Aquilla nylgut strings without the wound third. Set up changes were very easy. The head was changable without removing the neck. |
Setup Rating |
9 |
Appearance
|
Beautiful. Hardware is unplated brass. The wood is Bolivian Rosewood. It has a block rim of the same rosewood. Fit and finish was impecable. No flaws. |
Appearance Rating |
10 |
Reliability
|
Should outlast me. Gotah geared pegs are very nice, |
Reliability Rating |
9 |
Customer Service
|
Excellent. very responsive to emails and by phone. |
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
|
Hardware is first rate as are the pegs. Coordinator rod and tailpiece are home made and very well done. Nice hand carved bridge. |
Components Rating |
10 |
Overall Comments
|
Great instrument. I'm looking forward to visiting the maker and checking out his regular banjos at some point. |
Overall Rating |
9 |
|
Ramsey Woody Custom
submitted 5/18/2009
|
Submitter |
George Flink |
Where Purchased |
From maker |
Year Purchased |
2009 |
Price Paid |
Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
|
Sound
|
Bright and loud with a good bass and mellowness of a wood tonering |
Sound Rating |
9 |
Setup
|
Well set up. I added a banjomate armrest, different bridge, strings and bridge. None of which was really necessary. |
Setup Rating |
9 |
Appearance
|
Dogwood blossum and star etc.(all engraved)on peghead. Inlays are Fairbanks like and nicely engraved. Dark stained maple neck with wonderful curly grain. Side dots. A few very minor finish flaws. |
Appearance Rating |
8 |
Reliability
|
Solid hardware. Gotah tuners. It will probably outlast me. |
Reliability Rating |
9 |
Customer Service
|
Mike is great to work with. Very helpful and accomodating. |
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
|
Great tuners. The parts I replaced were my preference, not due to any problems. |
Components Rating |
9 |
Overall Comments
|
Excellent banjo. Love the light weight and the inlay work. Would have prefered closed end nuts but I didn't ask(my fault). |
Overall Rating |
9 |
|
Romero 12 in. 6 string(low bass)
submitted 3/29/2009
|
Submitter |
George Flink |
Where Purchased |
From maker |
Year Purchased |
2009 |
Price Paid |
Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
|
Sound
|
Rich, full, deep and bright. Loud. Like most sixes, it has great resonance and sustain. very rich, very full. |
Sound Rating |
10 |
Setup
|
Set up well. Jason suggested heavier strings than I sent him and he was right. The action is quite low and needs a heavy bass string so as not to buzz. |
Setup Rating |
9 |
Appearance
|
Jason's finish work is impeckable. No flaws. Beautiful wood, stain and hardware. he made the bridge, tension hoop, shoes and tailpece and they are 1st. class. Inlay work was lovely. He is a master. |
Appearance Rating |
10 |
Reliability
|
Finish and hardware look very durable. Should outlast me. |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
|
Lifetime warrenty. Jason was great to deal with. Very responsive as well as making suggestions and paying attention to my specifications. |
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
|
No need for upgrades. the 12 in. tubaphone tonering looks and sounds great. Pegs are Gotah with ebony buttons. |
Components Rating |
10 |
Overall Comments
|
I love it. This and my Brooks 12in. 6 string will be my go to playing banjos.The neck is particulary wonderful. the shape is just right. Jason's detail work is beautiful. The closer you look, the better it is. |
Overall Rating |
10 |
|
Gold Tone OT-6
submitted 9/8/2008
|
Submitter |
George Flink |
Where Purchased |
Elderly Instruments |
Year Purchased |
2008 |
Price Paid |
Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
|
Sound
|
I play clawhammer and mostly 6 string(low bass. I have some other 6 strings. The sound is loud, deep and bright with the particular resonance that you only get from a six. |
Sound Rating |
9 |
Setup
|
The set up was fine. I changed the bridge and strings but neither change was really necessary. I also removed the arm rest. The tailpiece was damaged in transit due to poor packing(unusual for Elderly). I had another 6 string tailpiece from Gold Tone so I replaced it.
Feel of the neck and fit to the pot was excellent. They really got this one right. |
Setup Rating |
9 |
Appearance
|
Finish is good. The peghead and fingerboard are bound as is the heel and the pot on the inside and outside. It has a nice curved scoop and some tastefully engraved inlays. I would have rather had a dowel stick than the coordinator rods. It comes with a nice HSC |
Appearance Rating |
9 |
Reliability
|
Looks to be reliable. I would use it on a gig. |
Reliability Rating |
9 |
Customer Service
|
Unknown as of now. |
Customer Service |
8 |
Components
|
Parts all look first rate. Pegs seem surprisingly good and smooth. Shape and fit of the neck is perfect for me. The tail piece works well and looks handsome considering its size. |
Components Rating |
9 |
Overall Comments
|
If you like or think you would like to play a 6 string, this is the only game in town other than ordering custom which I have done in the past. The banjo is huge(14 in pot)but comfortable to play. the sound is great and it looks good as well. |
Overall Rating |
9 |
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