Brooks Masten Custom 6 String Reviews

Brooks Masten Custom 6 String submitted 2/5/2007 Submitter GSFlink (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Maker Year Purchased 2007 Price Paid Don't Remember historic exchange rates / currency converter Sound This is a five string with an extra, low bass string. The sound is rich, full, bright in the treble and deep in the bass. I play clawhammer style. This is my 3rd. current 6 string and it is wonderful. Sound Rating 10 Setup The strings used are .10, 12.5, 15, .24PB, .36PB, .10. The action is medium high with a 5/8th. KatsEyz custom 6string bridge that I put on. It has a Renaisance head and no knot repro. tailpiece. I also added an adjustable wire arm rest. Setup Rating 9 Appearance Beautiful. Two piece Gun stock walnut neck with center strip of purple heart. Carved behind the 5th. string peg. 12 inch pot with 30 brackets. Rickard, Whyte Latdie tone ring. Brass plate from 17th fret to the pot. All hardware is antiqued. Brooks put his signiture Indian head penny at the top of the peg head. Side dots on ebony figer board. No other inlays. Appearance Rating 9 Reliability Reliability should be top notch. Brooks stands behind his banjos. Reliability Rating 10 Customer Service I've had good experiences with a number of makers but Brooks is in a class by himself. He keeps in touch, sends pictures during the process and asks good questions. Customer Service 10 Components Brooks makes a lot of his own haqrdware. The stretcher band stands out. I will add some real ebony buttons on the tuners just for vanity sake. Components Rating 10 Overall Comments This is now the banjo that I play most. The richness and sustain makes me smile. I would encourage others to try a 6 string for fun. Overall Rating 10