Kateyz bridge McCormick "Spice"
submitted 11/16/2009
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Submitter |
doug.knecht |
Where Purchased |
Mike Smith |
Overall Comments
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This bridge is made of old flooring in the torn down original business for McCormick Spices, and the wood is from the early 1900's. Beautiful wood, excellent wood for bridges. Mike, as he always does, used the gram weight to gauge what kind of tone I needed to move toward. It really pops on the 1st and 2nd string, and the 3rd sounds very very prewar-ish. I'm very happy with this bridge. This model is the original Kat Eyz design. |
Overall Rating |
10 |
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Kat Eyz Cougar
submitted 10/31/2009
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Submitter |
doug.knecht |
Where Purchased |
Mike Smith |
Year Purchased |
2009 |
Price Paid |
Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
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Sound
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This banjo feels great. Both hands are very comfortable at work, especially the neck is great. I used one of Mike's KatEyz 11/16" bridges on this particular model. The banjo has a good degree of separation between the notes sonically. The tone is awfully rich and in short, the tone is fabulous. It's one of those banjos that sound as good in front as it does to the player in back. I highly suggest it. |
Sound Rating |
9 |
Setup
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The banjo was set up perfect by Mike when I played it the first time. |
Setup Rating |
10 |
Appearance
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The mahogany Cougar looks like a million bucks! Mike drew his own template for the designs of all his banjos, and this one has it's own unique look that isn't too much or too plain. It's a nice combination of ideas. Custom work is done by Robin Smith. Great job to Robin for his expertise and talent, and carrying that out into Mike's banjos. |
Appearance Rating |
8 |
Reliability
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All the hardware is made to last. Mike has tediously picked out the hardware for tuners, tail-piece, etc.. to last. |
Reliability Rating |
9 |
Customer Service
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Mike Smith one of the greatest guys you'll ever meet! He'll do anything to meet your requests. |
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
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Great parts make a great banjo - his tonerings and bridges stand out to me. |
Components Rating |
not rated |
Overall Comments
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Overall Rating |
9 |
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Yates Tone Rings Venom 33
submitted 3/16/2009
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Submitter |
doug.knecht |
Where Purchased |
Warren Yates |
Overall Comments
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This ring is AWESOME. I got it last Wednesday (3/11) and last night I think I found the sweet spot as far as the head tension goes. I've got it tuned to an A. And I'm using light strings: .0095, .010, .0125, .020, .010. It's pure and bell like tone is pretty darn apparent. The fourth string is loud and solid, crisp yet full. All the way up the neck it all the strings sound great. I have a Ron Stewart/Yates Bridge too, and it's got so many ring lines I haven't really counted them all yet. It's a good bridge too. I'll try posting some audio stuff later on. This is a must-try must-have ring. I'm rating it very high because it's the best I've had, and 10 is the best.
Doug Knecht |
Overall Rating |
10 |
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Kateyz Capo B Capo: V-frame
submitted 3/16/2009
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Submitter |
doug.knecht |
Where Purchased |
Mike Smith |
Overall Comments
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This capo, like its cousins in stainless steel, is an excellent choice for a banjo capo. I really like mine because of the following reasons: It doesn't shift in circles around the neck because the V frame keeps it stable; The thumb screw is very rugged so you get a really good grip on the head to turn the screw - it doesn't slip out of your fingers like some capo thumb screws do; It's attractive - sleek narrow design; Weight - this brass model doesn't add weight to the neck so the tone is preserved when it's fretted as well as when it's not.
Thanks Mike for a great capo
Doug Knecht |
Overall Rating |
10 |
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