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The banjo reviews database is here to help educate people before they purchase an instrument. Of course, this is not meant to be a substitute for playing the instrument yourself!
7232 reviews in the archive.
Mike Dawson is a great source for banjo repair here in northeast central Indiana (near Fort Wayne). He also makes fantastic sounding instruments - you can visit his website: Cedar Creek Luthiers. I needed some expert repair on my Slingerland conversion and was lucky enough to find Mike close to home. It was very reassuring to find someone with the experience to get my open back in tip top shape. Besides his friendly easy going way, he is very accommodating. He was able to do my repairs on the spot while I waited ( and pass along some of his repair knowledge along the way). Luthiers (he makes open back banjos, resonator guitars, and acoustic guitars) are hard to find in this area and I highly recommend him for instrument repair of any kind. Thank you Mike.
Overall Rating: 10
Nothing can be more frustrating than not having your banjo sound right. After scouring the forum looking for solutions to problems I was having with my RK-80 and after trying all the "do-it-yourself" adjustments I learned over the years, I realized I was out of my league and needed expert help.
After searching the forum again for banjo repairmen I found a rising star in the BHO chronicles - Chris Cioffi. "Rising Star" is a bit of a misnomer as he has been a luthier for 20 to 30 years working with the best banjo builders and luthiers in the business. It was only recently he announced in the forum his full time banjo restoration services in the BHO. (You can read his bio in the members section.) After a preliminary email to him, I knew I was talking to someone with extensive knowledge and experience. This was confirmed after our first phone call. Besides his friendly open manner he exhibited a wealth of knowledge and ideas on banjo sound.
Anyway, what he did to my RK-80 is nothing short of remarkable. My only instructions were to lower the action, fix intonation problems up the neck, and make my banjo sound the best it can be. What I got back was a banjo sound with incredible "pop". Every note pops with energy, from the very lowest note on the fingerboard to the highest. A truly unique hard-to-get sound that reminded me of the banjos of some great players I admire, like Craig Smith, Tom Adams, and Earl Scruggs "and his banjo too". And all that from a stock Recording King RK-80 (except for the tailpiece I had replaced earlier.)
What he did. He refit the neck and made the tone ring fit better on the rim. He explained options as he went along, what was needed, and even emailed pictures as he went along with the repair process. That was a nice touch, both informative and thoughtful. He also did a lot of little things along the way to make the banjo outstanding. He smoothed out the fret ends, fixed some railroad spike problems, installed bone nuts and improved the overall playability of the instrument. All told, he exceeded my expectations and I think, even his own with the unexpected sound that came from reassembled banjo. Thanks Chris.
I never want to change a thing on my banjo, which is a relief in itself, and highly recommend Chris for anyone needing a banjo set-up beyond the basics. He loves his work and it shows. He not only is my luthier for life but welcomes any questions or concerns I may have in the future. He genuinely is in business to help and make friends along the way. Great going.
Overall Rating: 10
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