Nate Calkins: Calkins 11" Custom #60

Submitted by htb on 5/6/2013

Where Purchased: Direct from Nate

Year Purchased: 2013
Price Paid: 1150 ($US)

Sound

This instrument is set up with a goat-skin head, thin, deep shell (1/4" by 3" deep, 11" dia), walnut neck with 24.75 scale, no-knot tailpiece. The sound is really nice- a bit of punch, but smooth and defined. Perfectly set up for clawhammer. Mid range sound is very strong and focused - if tuned up to A or double-D, it really starts to ring with a clear voice. It's quite a bit more balanced than my 1927 electric (which is very bright, whyte-laydie tonering and goat skin head), and less tubby than my tradesman (12" with a dobson ring and vellum head). It's very loud and can bark when asked- stuffing the head quiets it way down with very little change of tone - it gets a bit sweeter with a light rag between the dowel and head, but I change it up periodically. This banjo has much more cluck than my other instruments - perhaps the shorter scale helps with this?

Sound Rating: 10

Setup

Setup was good - just about the right string height with a 5/8" bridge that Nate made for me (Crowe spacing). I've since tightened the head a bit, but no other setup changes. This is my first "A-scale" instrument, and I like the reach and fret-spacing that comes with the shorter scale. Neck is a solid "D" shape - in contrast the Tradesman's neck has a more pronounced "V" within the first 5-frets, and is less substantial with less wood overall. I like 'em both. String height was very low at the nut, so plays very smoothly (and still very clean) - 5th string sits below the level of the 1-4 strings, which is a bit different than I'm used to. I may raise the 5th string at some point, but it's not a problem.

Setup Rating: 10

Appearance

absolutely gorgeous wood for the neck - Nate picked a walnut neck with an eye for the figure. Pot is painted with milk paint and buffed, which is a good look. Hardware is all aged brass, with the exception of the black-knobbed gotoh tuners. I asked for a mottled goatskin, and the character on this one is fantastic. fingerboard is good slab of ebony, with brass side-position inlays. Headstock overlay is dark walnut., with a dobson paddle shape. Pictures can be seen at http://www.calkinsbanjos.com/banjo-gallery.html There are the occasional file mark, etc., that comes with hand made items - not a big deal for me. It's really a looker.

Appearance Rating: 10

Reliability

hardware is great - gotoh tuners (I like better than 5-star), raw brass shoes and tailpiece, etc. Finished in Tru-oil, which has a nice feel and doesn't seem like it's glopped on (as some poly finishes can feel).

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

Nate is easygoing and easy to work with - he makes suggestions based on what he's done/ knows will work, but seems like he's willing to try new options as well.

Customer Service: 10

Components

I anticipate that nothing will need upgrading in the near future.

Components Rating: 10

Overall Comments

great banjo to play, and I'm still exploring the nuances of this one

Overall Rating: 10