Overall Comments

This is the second complete pot assembly that Ron Satterfield of Nashville Plating Service has done for me. The first was in nickel... ABSOLUTELY FLAWLESS... turnaround time was 10 days.

This time I decided to have an entire pot assembly plated in 24 KT gold. First let me say that I put everything in the mail on Saturday morning 10/16. Today is Thursday 10/21 and it arrived today. An email followed within minutes from Ron telling me to check the mail, that my parts had arrived. He cut the time in half from my first order. That kind of turnaround from VA to TN and back is way over the top in my opinion!!!! Everything including the little bracket screws were perfect, gorgeous and Ron evidently spent some time buffing everything out prior to plating. His packing job was superb to ensure everything arrived in tact and also to make sure all parts arrived complete. This is going to be one gorgeous banjer thanks to Ron Satterfield of Nashville Plating.

If anyone is looking for some plating to be done... I highly recommend Nashville Plating Service. Ron continues to amaze me with the quality of his product and his exceptional customer service!!!!!!!!!!!

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

I'm going to start out by saying that when I finally did get my finished neck and resonator, they came out perfect/beautiful with the exception of one piece of the inlay in the headstock was a tadbit cockeye'd. Considering the following comments, I can deal with it.

With that out of the way, here goes... back in June 2009 I sent Tim Selman an email with detailed pictures and written description of what I desired, contracting him to make me a neck for a Gibson pot that I had on hand. I requested a mahogany neck and resonator and a check followed shortly in the mail for the required down payment. When asked, Tim said that he should have everything complete by August 1st.

Time went by... nothing... I called repeatedly and got one excuse after another as to why my parts weren't complete. He always mentioned some progress. They seemed like valid excuses (everyday life problems) so I gave hime the benefit of the doubt over and over again. By October, it was starting to feel like I would never get my neck and resonator so I started calling again, sending emails, and threatening legal action. I didn't receive any callbacks until I started threatening legal action.
Finally, I received my parts around the first week of December. I received them at work and at first glance everything seemed ok, but as I looked at the neck, he had the wrong inlay pattern on the headstock. Also, the headstock inlay was cockeye'd. In addition, I looked at the hole that was cut for the 5th string tuner and it seemed too large. When I got it home, it was verified when I went to place the tuner in the hole. The nut also had a chip on the right side. I was very dissappointed considering I had waited so long. It seemed as if everything had been rushed at the last minute. It's no wonder since I was threatening legal action.
I called Tim to complain and can you believe he wanted me to send the neck back??? I told him no and that I just wanted my money back at this point. He didn't have it so I consented to have him make another neck and I would hold both the neck and resonator hostage along with the remainder of the money owed until the new one had arrived. I told him that the new one had better be perfect.
Amazingly enough, the new neck arrived just after New Years and it was beautiful except for the above mentioned inlay.

Considering all this aggravation...lessons learned and also the kind of product Tim can put out if he puts his mind to it, I would never have gone down this road. Tim's prices are enticing compared to the rest but next time I will go with someone who makes necks as a profession so that I know I will get great customer service and a better quality product the first time even though I'll pay a bit more for it.

Overall Rating

3

Sound

Crisp, clear and loud... AWESOME!!

Sound Rating

10

Appearance

Absolutley a beautiful banjo!! You can tell the difference in quality from other popular brands (I won't go into that). Let's just say that it's true that everyone else is trying to replicate Gibson in every way. There is a reason for that. This is just a testament to that fact.

Appearance Rating

10

Customer Service

FQM is an awesome dealership. Specifically, let's just say that they honor the military and cater to them like no other dealership. I would do business with Jeff and Eric and recommend them to everyone especially to veterans.

Customer Service

10

Overall Comments

I love this banjo!! The price was incredible (too incredible to even list, so I intentionally left that off of this review). If it was stolen, I would get anothe. My favorite feature is the curly maple wood and finish. The inlays are also very nice. My previous banjo was a Deerin Sierra and I can't even attempt to compare the two. The quality, from the nickel plating, to the tuners, to the finish work, to the setup and everything else in this banjo is far better. I am a Gibson fan for life. I will own no other.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

Awesome craftsmanship, great sound. I installed this bridge to replace the Gibson bridge that came original on my Earl Scruggs Standard. It made a noticeable change in the sound of my banjo. Definitely more crisp and clear. It took a good banjo and made it a great banjo!!! I've tried an Emerson bridge and a Deering bridge... they don't compare with my Snuffy III. If everyone changes to Snuffy Smith after they buy Gibson (from what I've read on BHO), why isn't it standard issue??

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

Great thumb pick!! Very comfortable and the back side is curled under so as not to get caught on the 5th string when pickin the 4th (I've been having problems with that). Best metal thumb pick out there!!! It sounds much better pickin a string than with the plastic ones.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

Not only did Dave exceed my expectations with the design of my strap but he did it twice. I initially ordered a custom design on the "professional" model but Dave had sent the adjustable model instead. When I called and told him, he acknowledged the error and immediately sent another one within a couple days... no questions asked. I LOVE IT!!!! These straps are the best out there (and believe me, I have been searching for something of quality and with a personal touch). The personal service is great... Dave is an honest, nice guy and a true craftsman. I can only have the highest recommendations for this man and his products!!

Overall Rating

10