Brooks Masten Silver Spun-Whyte Laydie Reviews

Brooks Masten Silver Spun-Whyte Laydie submitted 9/14/2006 Submitter GSFlink (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased From the maker Year Purchased 2006 Price Paid 1900 ($US) Sound I play clawhammer in a contra dance band. The banjo is bright with lots of volume as well as depth. I like it a lot. Sound Rating 10 Setup The banjo was set up well. Brooks supplied 2 bridges and the 1/2 in. was just right. I've added an old style wire arm rest. Setup Rating 9 Appearance Its beautiful in an understated way. The shoes and stretcher band are unplated brass which provides a nice contrast to the silver wrapped pot. The neck is "gun stock" maple with a lovely grain and feel. The"clown"peg head is covered with walnut burl and there is a lovely carved swirl behind the 5th string peg. No inlays, side dots and a brass plate instead of a scoop. Brooks' signiture indian head penny crowns the peghead. It has a lovely Dobson like heel. Appearance Rating 10 Reliability The banjo will out live me. I use it as my band banjo without a backup. Reliability Rating 10 Customer Service This has been the nicest experience working with a builder I have had so far of the 6 makers I have worked with. Customer Service 10 Components Brooks makes a lot of his own components including the stretcher band, pot etc. No cheap or shoddy parts here. Components Rating 10 Overall Comments I would definately recommend this maker and this banjo without reservations. I have just asked him to build me a 6 string which I will eventually review. Overall Rating 10