Tuners: Catalin repro tuner buttons keystone style

Submitted by Julio B on 10/30/2010

Where Purchased: Ron Barnes, a BHO member

Overall Comments

These buttons are an exact duplicate of the amber-colored buttons that were offered on pre-war Kluson screw tab tuning machines. After giving up a 2-year search for them I read Rich Dotson's post about the availability of these, examined various photos of them and decided to try them out. Ron was wonderful and shipped them to me before my personal check had cleared. They arrived from VA to my home in CA in two days, and fit perfectly without requiring any modification whatsoever. I did opt for new machine screws 2/32" shorter as I was concerned about causing cracks if I should over-tighten them. They are a very welcome addition to my banjo; I heartily recommend these and their purveyor.

Overall Rating: 10

Necks: Siminoff 5-string banjo neck

Submitted by Julio B on 7/27/2010

Where Purchased: from Roger Siminoff, Atascadero, CA

Overall Comments

This mahogany/Brazilian rosewood neck duplicates my pre war flathead's neck in dimensions, trussrod, fret size, & peghead overlay.
Because the fit is extra-precise it has added frontal and peripheral volume plus it has increased the banjo's sustain. During the construction period I made three trips to Roger's shop with my style 75 for measurements and comparisons and waited 8 months for its completion. So precise is it, that when I slide the 5th string under a rr spike, there is no adjustment needed to the string tension. I find the result was worth the wait.

Overall Rating: 10

Bridges: Beaver King 5/8

Submitted by Julio B on 8/29/2009

Where Purchased: from Dave Jack

Overall Comments

I requested a bridge that would add overtones and sustain to by super-dry RB4
and after a brief exchange of information, he custom-built not one, but two bridges to try. The first was so successful, that I purchased them both. Rarely have I found one small change to make such an improvement. I am very impressed with the product and with Dave.

Overall Rating: 10

Acoustic Corner

Submitted by Julio B on 3/24/2009

Overall Comments

Located in Black Mountain, NC., I stop in there with every visit from my native California. Always a very helpful and courteous staff (especially Stephanie)
and loads of acoustic instruments of different price points; you can sit and try them all to your heart's content. Loads of accessories, books, and CDs, too.

Overall Rating: 10

Bridges: Scorpion 5/8"

Submitted by Julio B on 5/16/2008

Where Purchased: Janet Davis Music

Overall Comments

I had a Sosebee submerged maple bridge on my `29 RB4, and with a Blaylock conversion ring it sounded very thin; that is, all I heard was the fundamental with almost no supporting harmonic overtones. I decided to try a standard Scorpion. A visual comparison reveals that the Scorpion has about twice the amount of ebony. After the installation, there was almost no tonal difference, but during the next three days and 13+/- hours of picking, the sound became more opulent and complex, but still very dry with strong note separation. No bridge is perfect for all banjos, but this one seems to have done what I had hoped for and is a keeper.

Overall Rating: 9

Fawley: Retrotone

Submitted by Julio B on 10/31/2004

Where Purchased: from Wyatt

Year Purchased: 2004
Price Paid: 1800 ($US)

Sound

The banjo is only nine days old so it still has some of that new banjo ringiness
but when I slackened the head to an A# note and added Price SL5 tailpiece and two Keith D-tuners for added mass, the bass really opened up. Sounds very much like a soxty year old Gibson and the sound improves every day.

Sound Rating: 9

Setup

Action was a bit high fo my taste and the head was a little too tight. These are personal preferences, of course.

Setup Rating: 9

Appearance

Wyatt's workmanship is flawless; I took it over to Roger Siminoff's house so he could play and evaluate it and he was similarly impressed. All the pearl is quite beautiful, and his inlays are all hand-cut.

Appearance Rating: 10

Reliability

WYatt uses the best hardware he can obtain and the tone ring is his own proprietary design. This is a thoroughly professional instrument.

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

Warranty is life-time. I wouldn't think that repairs would be necessary, but were they to be needed, Wyatt would handle them.

Customer Service: 10

Components

This is the only banjo currently manufactured that uses red maple instead of sugar maple for the shell (the way GIbson made them in the 30s). Wyatt uses the single-rod two-way trussrod because the two-rod setup tends to act as a tuning fork creating unwanted overtones. His unique tone ring allows for a full 11" vibrating surface whereas other tone rings create only 10 5/8" so his tone is deeper.

Components Rating: 10

Overall Comments

I have a pre-war Gibson in addition to the Retrotone. After about 6 months of playing, it will be virtually impossible to tell them apart. He's only making 38 of these and four are already sold. If you're thinking of a top-end banjo, you might want to contact him asap, for pretty soon you won't be able to get one at all

Overall Rating: 10