Hatfield: Celebrity

Submitted by diversified on 11/10/2003

Where Purchased: Arthur Hatfield Glasgow, KY.

Year Purchased: 2003
Price Paid: Don't Remember historic exchange rates / currency converter

Sound

For a bluegrass banjo this one has it all. Smooth mellow tone that has enough volumn to cut right to the point. This banjo sounds as crisp at the 22nd. fret as it does at the 1st and it can handle all you can give it. The tone is honest,clear,chrisp and solid, all wraped up in a banjo that is pleasing to listen to. I have heard Arthur play a lot of banjos in his shop (old,new,borrowed and blue) but this celebrity has the sound that was unequled.

Sound Rating: 10

Setup

Arthur had been playing this banjo for a while, so when I became its new owner I did'nt want to change anything right away. Now that I have played it for a while, I'll leave it right where it is. The playability of this banjo is such a pleasure you could not ask for more.

Setup Rating: 10

Appearance

The Celebrity is truly a beautiful instrument. It has a curley maple resonator with a warm brown stain that is bound with white binding. The neck starts out at the heel with a dark stain that fades into a rich honey brown and then returns dark as you go toward the peg head. All of the hardware is gold. Arthur's inlay pattern for the fretboard is truly unique, almost snow flake like, and the peg head has beautiful scripted like scrolls that accent the turners. The attention to detail on this banjo is flawless. The finish is glass smooth,inlay and bindings are perfect,the cut of the neck that joins the pot is precise.

Appearance Rating: 10

Reliability

Absolutely no question in my mind this is the finest constructed banjo on the market. All of the components are of the highest quality that can be found and the workmanship is solid.

Reliability Rating:

Customer Service

Arthur is the best. He takes time to talk about every part of the banjo and is very pleasent to deal with. I can say that if their happened to be a problem with this banjo in 20 years due to his workmanship, he would fix it. In this day and time it is a real pleasure to be able to deal with the person who actually made the banjo and not some customer service rep that does'nt care about your problems. Ultimate confidence.

Customer Service: 10

Components

My Celebrity has all of Arthur's standard components. Huber tone ring,Cox resonator,three ply maple rim,Remo weatherking head,Hatfield compensated bridge,Presto tail piece.

Components Rating: 10

Overall Comments

I am so completley satisfied with my

Overall Rating: 10