Buckmaster open back -Tubaphone style  Reviews

Buckmaster open back -Tubaphone style submitted 5/25/2008 Submitter howseth (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased On-line: Cotten Music Year Purchased 2007 Price Paid 1000 ($US) (bought USED) Sound This Buckmaster open back banjo has a Tuba-phone style tone ring and sounds sweeter, softer, and perhaps more resonant than the original 1925 Vega Tuba-phone, that I also own; it is less throaty and brash than my large pot Vega Tuba-phone conversion banjo. I often tune it to 'Double B' tuning (de-tuned 'Double C'), and at this lower pitch the Buckmaster sounds especially good to me. Sound Rating 10 Setup The neck was quite loose, and had a significant warp ( this is surprising for a banjo made in 2003). I brought the banjo to a good luthier who was able to reset the neck. The action is still somewhat high though, There is no truss rod: it has a dowel stick construction - There is supposed to be a steel rod in the neck - if there is one actually installed it did not prevent the neck from warping. Setup Rating 5 Appearance I like the look - a gold plated open back banjo with a very fancy pot, with gold plating, marquetry and abalone. The banjo has rather nice figured maple neck with backstrapping, and an attractive sunburst finish. The heel of the neck is carved. The inlays are not spectacular - but look quite good. I think the peghead however might look better if it was a tad smaller - but, then again, it has a golden sun on the back of it that looks great. Appearance Rating 10 Reliability The hardware - which is gold plated seems fine. I do not play gigs. I play alone for my enjoyment - and I also make recordings of my banjo songs. This banjo is very fine for those purposes. Reliability Rating 9 Customer Service Cotten Music said they were unaware of the neck problem. Perhaps I could have returned it, but I decided to fix it instead - the price they asked for this used (made in 2003) banjo was so low, it just seemed worth fixing. I am glad I kept the banjo and got the neck reset. The people at Cotten Music were responsive and helpful. Customer Service 9 Components The banjo is handmade by Roger Buckmaster and has a really nice feel to it. I like the comfortable neck shape despite its warp (I have gotten used to the action). The Buckmaster Tuba-phone style tone ring, has a lovely sound, installed in a fairly deep pot. The gold plating on the banjo has worn well, so far. The gold plated planetary tuners are good, I do not know what brand they are. Components Rating 9 Overall Comments I originally gave it a "conditional" 10 rating - because despite the neck problems mine had - It has a fine, soft sound - and even with the high action -still feels good to play. but maybe a '10' is somewhat too high a rating, given the neck problems; I would caution a prospective buyer to carefully check out the neck - and make sure it is very firmly attached, also, Check to see if it is warped - and too what degree. Overall Rating 9