Chris Cioffi

Submitted by garfield55 on 2/26/2011

Overall Comments

I am very pleased to offer this review of the superb and much-needed work done on my banjo by Chris Cioffi. This was the only time that my banjo had undergone such a thorough and complete inspection and service since it was manufactured. My parents bought me this banjo new in 1955.

After reading comments posted on Chris Cioffi’s thread (http://www.banjohangout.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=152453&whichpage=1) by BHO members who had their banjo worked on by Chris, and my follow up conversations with Chris (partly noted in the paragraph immediately below), I was convinced that he was the luthier for me.

I had a few introductory and fact-finding phone conversations with Chris to learn more about his banjo-repair philosophy and approach. It became quite clear to me that he takes special interest and pride in each banjo that he works on. Although I highlighted the kind of things that I’d like for him to address, I told him that he had my carte blanche approval to do whatever was needed to get the “best” out of my banjo. He appreciated that but added that if he found other things that needed attention, he would call me to discuss them and get my ok before doing the work.

Later, after getting pointers from Chris on how to package my banjo for shipping, I purchased a shipping box, packaged the ole 1955 Gibson, RB 250 Archtop (Bowtie) banjo and went to the USPS to send it to him. A few days later, after receiving my banjo, he sent me an email letting me know that it had arrived safely. From that time on, Chris kept me informed as to what he was doing with my banjo via email and phone.

Recently, after completing his disassembly, reassembly, set up and much-needed work on my banjo, Chris shipped the banjo back to me. When I opened the case and removed the banjo, I recognized right away that it looked new—but still really 55 years old!). The fingerboard was clean and free of ruts and pearl inlay was polished; and all metal parts, neck and resonator were buffed. There is a new bone nut; a new 5-string nut; new capo spikes at the 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th frets; 22 newly installed stainless steel frets; a new Huber head; and a new Huber bridge (.657 [21/32] ). Three tuning buttons were added to match closely the ones that came with the already installed Keith D Tuners.

Also, Chris plugged and reinstalled lag bolts to mount the neck in proper position on the pot. Neck set was needed to fix a crooked neck. He custom-fit new resonator L brackets to existing screw holes with original screws. He did other things that I simply don’t recall at this moment.

If I viewed the work that Chris did on my banjo, one by one and collectively, it would reflect absolutely superior workmanship! His attention to detail, combined with his desire to bring out the sound and tone quality “hidden” inside my banjo, exceeded my expectations—which was high already.

Now I am eager to pick up and play my “new” banjo for a few hours or more each day. When I play notes both up and down the neck they ring true and loud. The quality of my playing (for my skill level) is noticeably apparent to me.

If it hadn’t been for conversations with Chris, I might have given up playing my banjo and sending it to one of my sons as a keepsake. He suggested, however that I hold off considering that until after I get the banjo back from him. I’m glad that I had waited. The banjo looks and sounds great!

I’m sure there are many fine luthiers who are members of the BHO or elsewhere. Yet, IMHO, I believe there are but a few luthiers who are of the caliber of Chris Cioffi. Aside from his knowledge and craftsmanship, Chris was very approachable, cordial and interested in what I wanted in my banjo.

Overall Rating: 10