Bishline Custom Salty Dog
submitted 6/6/2006
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Submitter |
banjoec |
Where Purchased |
Rob Bishline |
Year Purchased |
2006 |
Price Paid |
2645 ($US) |
Sound
|
Mahogany with the Tony Pass Thin Skirt Rim & Kulesh Big 10 tonering, this banjo has a very warm sound. Rings clear up the neck, but has some growl down low. Banjo stays in tune and sounds great Melodic or Scruggs style. |
Sound Rating |
10 |
Setup
|
Set up just the way I asked. Fast & low action. |
Setup Rating |
10 |
Appearance
|
I e-mailed Rob my signature and he inscribed it into a pearl truss rod cover.
I made a few other choices. Instead of the Salty Dog inlay in the 21st fret, Rob put a Bishline banner. |
Appearance Rating |
10 |
Reliability
|
Tuners are Gotoh, and the tailpiece is Kershner. Shouldn't be any problems. |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
|
Lifetime warranty. Rob has called to just ask how I liked the banjo. |
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
|
Kulesh Big 10 ring, TP lost timber thin skirt rim, Gotoh tuners, Kershner tailpiece. The most standout feature is the fret job. This banjo frets true all the way up the neck. No buzzing. Sides of frets are smooth. Nicest fret job I've seen. |
Components Rating |
10 |
Overall Comments
|
Compaired to other banjos available today, I think it was a very fair price for a banjo with top of the line components. If you want a truely Custom banjo, talk to Rob Bishline. |
Overall Rating |
10 |
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Deering Sierra
submitted 2/28/2005
|
Submitter |
banjoec |
Where Purchased |
Jack Hatfield |
Year Purchased |
2005 |
Price Paid |
1400 ($US) |
Sound
|
Can't quite give it a 10, but love the sound. Full sound with a 4th string that growls w/ medium strings. |
Sound Rating |
9 |
Setup
|
Jack Hatfield did an excellent set-up. We spoke on the phone and he pretty much knew how I wanted it. Even called me back to double check something. |
Setup Rating |
10 |
Appearance
|
Sierra is a basic looking banjo, but thats what I expected. Didn't buy for looks. No Flaws. |
Appearance Rating |
8 |
Reliability
|
Very Solid. |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
|
I've asked Jack a few questions since, and he was patient and helpful. |
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
|
Obviously, the tone ring is the same on more expesive Deerings. I have replaced the stock Deering bridge. |
Components Rating |
9 |
Overall Comments
|
Definately would recommend it. If banjo was stolen I would call Jack to re-order. Favorite feature is the feel of the neck, and the ability to get low action without any buzzes. Pretty much asked a lot of questions before purchasing.
I owned a Golden Era a few years back that I wasn't as happy with. But I didn't know much about set-up then, and niether did the company I bought it from.
|
Overall Rating |
9 |
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Gold Tone Banjola Deluxe
submitted 1/7/2005
|
Submitter |
banjoec |
Where Purchased |
FOTW |
Year Purchased |
2005 |
Price Paid |
Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
|
Sound
|
This is the ultimate closet picker banjo. Not loud, but beautiful sound. |
Sound Rating |
9 |
Setup
|
perfect set-up when arrived. |
Setup Rating |
10 |
Appearance
|
Nothing the polishing cloth counldn't take care of. Looks beautiful with the gold hardware and dark/light woods. |
Appearance Rating |
10 |
Reliability
|
Hardware looks and feels durable. Finish of wood looks a little more delicate. |
Reliability Rating |
8 |
Customer Service
|
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Customer Service |
not rated |
Components
|
Happy with the parts |
Components Rating |
9 |
Overall Comments
|
If I could make some recommendations for improving this instrument....You cannot access abouve the 14th fret. Thumbing the 5th string above the 12th is tough. How about a spot on the body to anchor you ring and pinky. Like a pickgaurd type thing so your hands aren't on the wood. Otherwise nice instrument, there's nothing else like it. |
Overall Rating |
9 |
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