Dave Nichols FQMS Reviews

Dave Nichols FQMS submitted 11/30/2006 Submitter Sambo (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Gary Glenn Music Year Purchased 1993 Price Paid 1450 (Canadian) (bought USED) historic exchange rates / currency converter Sound This banjo kicks...lots of volume and a very crisp tone..but not overpowering...typical of walnut banjos , it has the qualities of maple and mahogany style banjos...if you want it to drive, it will cut through..if you want warmth and roundness of tone just pick a little away from the bridge and its there. Sound Rating 8 Setup This banjo sounded great and was set up nicely when I bought it. The parts were purchased from FQMS and Dave Nichols of Martin & later CP Inlays did the a fine job assembling the banjo. I might note though that the neck was thicker than standard Mastertones for the original owner (Buddy Weston). I had John Doer (Martin Luthier) redo the neck to standard size and happier with it now. Setup Rating 8 Appearance This is a repilca of Gibsons 1937 RB4 so it has beautiful Flying Eagle inlay as well as the walnut neck and resonator. All the hardware was in great shape...its an eyecatcher. The parts were manufactured when Bill Sullivan worked for FQMS. Appearance Rating 8 Reliability I have had this banjo for 12 years now and the nickel plating is still in very good condition. I changed the Presto tailpiece for a Price Straightline and swapped the Grover bridge for a Hotspot. This is so far the only banjo I own and play it at all the shows we play. Very dependable. Reliability Rating 8 Customer Service FQMS are fantastic..as we all know. Customer Service 8 Components The 20 hole tone ring was made by Jon Jenzinger..I understand that his tone rings were highly regarded and much sought after. I love it.The only complaint I have is that the resonator attatching clips are just slightly off centre..I just haven't got around to bothering with this as its not a problem..I love everything about this banjo. Components Rating 8 Overall Comments People often are stunned when I tell them that this is not a Gibson from the Manufacturing Plant. I highly recommend FQMS and all they they offer in the way of building your own. Overall Rating 8