Bridges: Tim Purcell Banjo Bridge

Submitted by dpeacock1 on 4/14/2010

Where Purchased: direct from Tim Purcell

Overall Comments

Dealing with Tim couldn't have been better. After sending Tim and inquiry about his brides, I immediately received a questionnaire that gave him the specifics I was looking for(height/string spacing/wood).
My bridge arrived a few days later with the weight in grams listed on the underside of one of the feet along with height and string spacing.
Very impressive.
No invoice was included, so I sent Tom an email. His comment was to try it first to make sure I was satisfied. I gladly mailed Tim a money order this week.
The next time I'm in need of a bridge, I'll be contacting Tim Purcell first.

Overall Rating: 10

Huber: N/A

Submitted by dpeacock1 on 5/22/2005

Where Purchased: Acutab-John Lawless

Year Purchased: 12/23/04
Price Paid: $$$ historic exchange rates / currency converter

Sound

Sound Rating: 10

Setup

Setup Rating: 10

Appearance

Appearance Rating: 7

Reliability

*****

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

John Lawless is a pleasure to deal with. He's accessable, and makes the experience of buying an expensive, unseen, unheard, unplayed banjo, as painless as possible.

Customer Service: 10

Components

Components Rating: 10

Overall Comments

except for the inlay, yes

Overall Rating: 10

Huber: Lexington

Submitted by dpeacock1 on 5/21/2004

Where Purchased: private owner

Year Purchased:
Price Paid: Don't Remember (bought USED) historic exchange rates / currency converter

Sound

good

Sound Rating: 7

Setup

good

Setup Rating: 7

Appearance

good

Appearance Rating: 7

Reliability

good

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

Even though used, John Lawless gave the banjo a complete setup.

Customer Service: 10

Components

all parts top quality

Components Rating: 10

Overall Comments

would recommend any banjo backed by John Lawless.
banjo itself I'd rate an 8 on sound
John's customer service a 10.

Overall Rating: 10

Ome: Juniper Deluxe Megatone

Submitted by dpeacock1 on 2/14/2004

Where Purchased: Zepp Country Music

Year Purchased: 2004
Price Paid: Don't Remember (bought USED) historic exchange rates / currency converter

Sound

Top quality in every respect. The Deluxe Juniper model has an ebony fingerboard, maple neck & resonator, and slightly different inlay than the standard model. The tung oil finish gives this model an aged, understated appearance. The neck is very comfortable and easy to negotiate. The standard Schaller tuners work fine. This banjo, which Zepp sold new in 2002, had a SS bridge and head. I replaced the head with a std. WeatherKing and now using a different SS bridge. For a maple banjo, this one has a deep warm tone, but with plenty of bite. I'm very pleased.

Sound Rating: 10

Setup

Factory setup had been altered by installing a SS head and Presto style tailpiece. I relaced the head with a standard, top frosted WK, wnet to a different SS bridge and also switched from medium to light gauge strings. This Ome really sings now.

Setup Rating: 8

Appearance

Figured maple with a tung oil finish which highlights the flame and figure with black tone while the backgound is a medium red-brown. The black binding, ebony fingerboard with sparse abilone(sp) inlay are in perfect contrast with the neck and resonator. All in all, a fine example of understated elegance.

Appearance Rating: 10

Reliability

The OME nickel plated hardware is FAR superior to that on any of the many Gibson banjos that have passed thru my hands the past 30 years. Ome uses it's own flange design which is cast metal, but appears to be robust enough to last many years without cracking. Ome make no compromise to excellence, regardless of the model.

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

Donald Zepp, owner of Zepp Contry Music, is a greatl person to do business with. As a lontime banjo and guitar player, he is very knowledgeable about the setup, maintenance, and care of acoustic stringed instruments. I've bought several banjos and guitars from Zepp, including a 1934 TB-4. He's also one of my favorite oldtime banjo pickers. I highly recommend buying from Zepp Country Music.

Customer Service: 10

Components

Everthing about Ome banjos is excellent! . I still love the sound and feel of my Gibson banjos, but materials, fit and finish of an Ome is top shelf.

Components Rating: 10

Overall Comments

The Juniper Deluxe I bought is a great banjo for the price. It sounds as good or better than many of the banjos I've owned. This includes a 1933 TB-3, 1934 TB-4, Huber Custom Roanoke, 1991 Gibson RB-3, 1992 Gibson Granada, 1994 Gibson RB-4.

Overall Rating: 10