Chris Cioffi

Submitted by TN_Picker on 3/26/2011

Overall Comments

Chris and I discussed some things I wanted done to my banjo and came to agreement on the things I knew I wanted and he said he would take a look at everything once he received it from the brown truck.

This big thing that prompted he & I talking was the fit on my Yates v33 ring. This Cox rim was cut for the Burlile that was originally in this pot and the new Yates ring had a larger ID, which made for a very sloppy fit. The easy, but naturally more expensive thing to do is simply get a new rim, but I hate doing stuff like this if something can be saved and the outcome be as good. Chris built the rim up by laminating some maple and then turned this down to fit the new ring, he also turned the rim so that the flange had a better fit.

He did a neck reset for me which got rid of the 11/16” bridge that was necessary at the time to keep buzzing away, with that, he recut the resonator notch and put in new felt. I like a lower bridge than an 11/16” as, to me; I think they sound better overall with more texture and bottom end. I also got Chris to make a new bone nut & pip for this neck.

To finish things up he did a complete setup including a new head and picked a bridge that brought out what he thought was the best sound with this combination.

I got the banjo back this morning and am extremely pleased with the results. I would believe that the ring & flange fitment would have the most impact on the sound but it is more likely everything involved. This banjo has an awesome 3rd & 4th string and still sounds brilliant in the highs.

If you have any doubts or are hesitant in sending a banjo to Chris for work please feel free to stop by and pick on mine and witness what he can accomplish as the end result.

Chris will definitely make a good impact on our little community!

Overall Rating: 10

Kyle K Smith: Legend

Submitted by TN_Picker on 1/30/2008

Where Purchased: from Kyle Smith

Year Purchased: 2007
Price Paid: Don't Remember historic exchange rates / currency converter

Sound

This banjo fits my style to a “T”! The sound is very deep and hollow. The 3rd and 4th strings really stand out and the rest still have a fantastic ring from one end of the neck to the other.

Sound Rating: 10

Setup

The banjo was setup as well as one can be. There have been no changes since it left Kyle’s shop. You cannot leave with a poorly setup banjo or one that you are not satisfied with they way it is setup, if you do it’s your own fault. Kyle will work on a banjo until you are satisfied with it, period.

Setup Rating: 10

Appearance

The banjo is beautiful, no other way to put it. It is a mahogany banjo with a double cut peghead, flying eagle inlay, pearl nut & pip, railroad spikes, and a tapered “V” neck.

Appearance Rating: 10

Reliability

The hardware is really the best you can order so I can’t see how it would not last. The finish of the wood is very nice, I doubt I will ever wear through it but I am going to try! I don’t pick for gigs so I really wouldn’t know about having to have a backup but I don’t think it would be necessary.

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

Kyle Smith is, in my opinion, the very best maker of custom banjos that a person could deal with. The man is helpful and friendly as anyone you will ever meet in your lifetime. He will stand behind his banjos.

Customer Service: 10

Components

This banjo has an unplated Burlile tone ring, Gill resonator, Cox rim, and Prucha & McPeake hardware. There are no cheap or weak parts.

Components Rating: 10

Overall Comments

I would recommend this banjo wholeheartedly to anyone! If it were stolen I would be one seriously upset man.

Overall Rating: 10