Flesher Fandango Grandioso
submitted 7/31/2008
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Submitter |
Clawhammer Clint |
Where Purchased |
From maker |
Year Purchased |
2008 |
Price Paid |
5000 ($US) This was the 2003 list price + extras |
Sound
|
I play clawhammer style, including mostly full melodies, rather than back-up. The instrument has excellent volume and the right amount of sustain for clawhammer picking, and Bob's trademark ebony tone ring gives the instrument an authentic Old Time sound. |
Sound Rating |
10 |
Setup
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No set-up problems whatsoever |
Setup Rating |
10 |
Appearance
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I give this banjo a 10 for appearance, only because 10 is the highest rating allowed. One can find fancier, or perhaps somewhat more ornamented banjos than this one, but none more elegant. The quality and delicacy of the inlay is superb and exceeds that of any other contemporary maker I have seen save Renee Karnes (who doesn't make 5-string open backs). The inlay design is based on a 1905 Bay State instrument in the Bollman Collection. However, for this, his third Fandango Grandioso, Bob redesigned the fingerboard inlay pattern, keeping with the same theme, and actually made it even more exquisite. Also added at my request was a matching inlaid ebony armrest, which worked out so well that Bob has decided to make it a standard feature of the model. The heel carving, backstrap and peghead inlays are as before, but Bob gave me a custom, solid ebony dowel stick with inlay on three sides. The neck is a gorgeous piece of tiger maple with elegant, understated heel carving stained slightly darker than the surrounding wood. The rim is bound with a red/white/ black rope design wood marketry and grained ivoriod binding.The Kershner tailpiece, tension hoop and shoe bolt are gold plated and beautifully engraved, and are complemented by a set of tuner knobs made for me by Charlie Russel of Minnesota from old ivory. |
Appearance Rating |
10 |
Reliability
|
I have only owned the instrument for a few weeks, but it is made by a master with the highest quality materials. I have every confidence in its durability. |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
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Bob is completely committed to customer satisfaction and cheerfully resolves any issues that may come up. |
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
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The ebony tone ring gives this banjo the perfect timbre for clawhammer playing, and together with the 12 inch rim and Renaissance head, it gives plenty of volume with a more Old Timey sound than a Whyte Ladie or Electric tone ring. The beautifully figured tiger maple neck is on the slender side, the way I prefer it, and is reenforced by an interior steel tube, rather than a heavier double truss rod. |
Components Rating |
10 |
Overall Comments
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I also play a Cedar Mountain Banjos (Lo Gordon) L3 model (which is an L2 with extra custom inlay), another excellent instrument. The Flesher has greater volume and brighter tone than my" Lojo," which has its own unique charms. I waited four and half years for this instrument from the time I sent in my deposit, but I would, and very well may do it again. |
Overall Rating |
10 |
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