tubeandplate - Posted - 06/11/2010:  19:58:39

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Well, another update for those following my adventures with interest and/or speculation......or even disgust....

Had an interesting day today, but it was just topped of by the fellow that made dgoodnights RB-6 neck that I just showed in the project photos....Jim Yarboro.

So, for those of you who are not "pre-internet" banjo folks, Jim is one of the elite group of folks I have already mentioned, which includes Bill Porter (who has graciously dropped into the thread from time to time and but for the "miles between" also has become a friend, AND ironically cut the inlays for dgoodnights RB-6 neck for Jim), who basically "invented" repairing, restoring, and converting prewar tenor banjos appropriately for use as five strings. Big deal? Remember.....OUR banjo heros were playing THEIR necks and set ups before most of US even started to play.

I was honored and embarrassed when Jim called, and anyone who has read over this thread can likely surmise why.

But, Jim is a gracious man, as I figured he must be, and we had a GREAT conversation.

Gosh, I wish ya'll could have heard the stories about Jim Yarboro and Bill Porter as partners in crime as told by Jim Yarboro...they could make a TV show out of it! Jim had me laughing!


This may seem like drivel to some reading this, but it's MY thread and I'll "cry if I want to....."



You see, to me, this is like maturing in life from a time perspective and coming "full circle".....

To have people who were legendary and fabled heros to you as a tyro in your aspirations, who you've not yet met, now call you up to get to know you as a (ahem) "peer" (he says humbly) and encourage you is something that feels not quite like anything I've ever experienced before.

I grew up longing for and to learn banjo and aviation, but neither materialized as successful careers for me.......I've shaken hands and picked with Earl. I've met and talked aviation and competition aerobatics with Patty Wagstaff as we stood beside her Extra 300 and my wife and Patty talked horses and equine competition. Yes, of course...cool.....

But when you have one of your "legendary and fabled heros" from the time before you even started call you up as a peer because of a job you were both "involved" in from afar...and it's in your actual loved line of work....it's a little different, somehow.

Makes you stop and think about things.



Chris

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Edited by - tubeandplate on 06/11/2010 21:16:13

Mopick - Posted - 06/12/2010:  05:31:54

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That is really something, Chris. I had no Idea when I spotted Jim's name written on the inside of that neck. The restoration story takes on a whole new life when historical facts come to light. When was that conversion neck made originally?

Randy

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Edited by - Mopick on 07/13/2010 13:40:51

BanjoLink - Posted - 06/12/2010:  06:45:50

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Chris:

Since your dream of becoming a crackerjack airplane driver or elite banjo picker did not come to pass, I think you have fallen into the "right" niche - or - you could have become a writer! You have a knack for assemblying words into comprehensive and interesting thoughts and seem to know the difference between "their", "there", and "they're" - no offense intended to anyone that may not! Heck, all of my testing before and after college indicated that I was practically moron when it came to the English language. They were so low it made me look like a mathematics genius, which of course was not the case either!

All of these "banjo" guys you mention are so familiar, as they were about the only ones doing this type of stuff when I first because interested in banjo building. One of my friends here in Greenville, Tom Ridley, who was quite a bit older than me, loved banjos and was one of the first people I knew who was assemblying, buying, and selling banjos. Tom was an interesting character and was pretty honest, as long as you asked the corrcet question. Of course Tom would not bother to fill in all of the details if you neglected to ask! I'm guessing he is not the only banjo trader to have been "blessed" with those traits. (Some may disagree with my assessment of Tom).

Tom introduced me to the work of C.E. Ward, Bill Porter, Jim Yarboro, Rual Yarborough and several others that you mentioned. I regret that I never made the trip to meet any of these gentlemen, but from time to time bought supplies from them - particularly Bill Porter. There were probably others, but Bill was the only opne around here that was cutting pearl neck patterns. I didn't realize until recently that Bill's expertise (and creativity) went far beyond just cutting pearl - quite an interesting gentleman. I should take a trip to Wadesboro and meet him.

I enjoyed the photos and commentary on the TB-6. Jim probably would have done the same things you did if he had another shot at it. All of us that have done this sort of thing sometimes cringe when looking back at some of the first things we did and would love to have a chance to go back and tweak them. If you are not learning something from every operation that you do, then you are going backwards. Quite appropriately, Johnny Wooden (I think) said that it's the things we learn after we think we know it all that are the most important! I agree.

Great job, Chris!

tubeandplate - Posted - 06/12/2010:  07:46:42

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Randy-Yup! 1979 or 1980. Again, the banjo world was a different place than now 30 years ago...that is something that has to be considered when looking back at something years hence. Jim told me a story about how he actually bought a banjo from a music store that had a neck on it that he made...one of his first. He took the banjo home, applied the bandsaw to the neck, and filed the neck in the round file cabinet. His dad said..."son, what the heck are you doing....you're just throwing money in the garbage?" to which Jim replied "If I'm not happy with my work, I can't expect anyone else to be either". THAT is a pro....concerned for his craftsmanship more than the almighty dollar. God help me to uphold this honorable approach.

I guess I don't have to surprise anyone that the banjo market is full of gimmickery...promised results from gadgetry, etc....seems it's more now than ever.

THIS neck example is why these folks are my heros even MORE than their craftsmanship, and is very telling about the kind of people they are.

John-I resemble your commments!

Once I knew it all, and when some new information came to light that conflicted with that, I had to rethink what I "knew".

No one is perfect, except Christ, and so, I think, realizing that as a creative or problem solving person interested in progressive improvement, you must accept this from the standpoint of "realization is the first step to recovery" in order to be open to learning and progression.

It's funny, as just this last year, I have started to wonder about Christ during the time he was a carpenter...which means he was a woodworker...which has lots of implications.....

I think this is the interesting part of what I have set out to do here in the shop. It is a lens to your innards....if it's too painful for you to look into that lens, then...well...another career or life's path likely will be following whether you like/acknowledge that or not.

My inerest in making sawdust has many more motivations for me than just "making a living".

I've been told by many folks over the years the things you have said about my writing, and have frequently been exhorted (unexpectedly to me) to "write a book", but wow...what a project that would be. Who would want to read about my narcissistic experiences and perceptions of those experiences? Likely it would be how the wonderful and meaningful people and experiences in my life have affected me juxtaposed against my "realistically" jaded view of human nature, the world, and of course....the music business. Bill Rickard, maker of excellent open back banjo parts in Canada, signs his posts here with a saying that would summarize such of my thoughts...I can't remember or quote it off hand, but if you see any of his posts, you'll know what I mean and likely laugh.

As Jim had told me, preferences and styles and views of restoration and conversion were different 30-40 years ago compared to now. Jim cared about his work given the details on this neck and how challenging they are to accomplish to the level he did. So does Bill Porter...master fixture maker and problem solver....(a clue about Bill: when Bill "hung it up" with banjos, Stew Mac and FQMS were pissing all over themselves to buy Bill's fixtures for inlays, flange making, his original designs, etc...).

Bill cut and Jim inlaid the pearl on this neck....in some communications, I mentioned the inlays looked so good I thought they were CNC cut, but '79 or '80 would have been too early for that in the banjo world, so I was perplexed....Bill told me the truth, and I was as shocked as much as Bill was complimented....and I hope this and in general comes across to Jim as a compliment to him as well....my hat has been off to these men...since I was 13...but now, like many things I appreciate, I am seeing more of the depth and complexity of their work that you only start to see when you "get under the hood".

THAT is art...like the original cut of "Foggy Mtn. Breakdown" or a Picasso....the more years go by, the more you revisit it, the deeper it is examined, true art continues to give something that you did not "see" before (this is also why the great instruments are great instruments...not everyone "gets" them, but those that do, get addicted to revisiting them). Stuff fully digested upon first viewing often ends up on the garbage pile at some point or another instead of a museum.

Maybe my words can be a room in Jim and Bill's museum, or maybe just a hallway or broom closet between two of the rooms, in which, had I not opened the door of my mouth, some people would not have known about their work or the depth of it. I didn't invent the wheel, I'm just one of the whelps whose started to push on it....and I do think there are fewer of us pushing on that same wheel these days.

John, thank you for your thoughts....you have said much, and it resonates with me.

I have been meaning to mention that Rual Yarborough came to the Huber shop when I worked there a couple of times. Rual would visit with me as I would leave my bench to meet him at the door and just be around him. He remembered me from 25 years earlier when as a 14 year old, and I had done my first refret on a Gibson, and thought I had ruined the banjo. I called Rual, and he just chuckled, saying "send it down and I'll take care of you"....and he did. He worked a miracle and never made me feel stupid, but rather, made me feel he was glad to help. My experience with Rual has been like knowing someone who is in the family I never had, and now I experience this same feeling 30 years later with Bill and Jim. I think that when that banjo came back to me, and a 14 year old kid realized that that mess (Bill-it "looked like a rat terd in a feed sack"....) could be fixed to the extent that there was no evidence that anything had been wrong with it but that it was much better than the new ones in the music stores, "Gibsons" no less, something changed in my mind...it was like magic to me. Remember, this was 1980 or '81. Computers were in science fiction movies. CNC machines were for industrial work. Banjos were made and fixed by hand and traditional power tools.

Him coming to the Huber shop when I was there was like this last few hours with Jim. Jim, Rual, and Bill make me feel like I'm "one of them" when we converse....it's a very humbling and rewarding experience.....I will never be one of them....their feet are on the ground, and mine are on their shoulders.

Yes, I'm rambling. No, none of this involves worldly prestige or large sums of money. But, I find the things in life that have meaning for me usually don't.

So, stuff in a "banjo world" has meaning for me and provides insights into humanity and the different members of it.....

If someone finds all this ridiculous, I guess they can sue me.

Well, you all are saved from my drivel by the postman...he just showed up with 3 big boxes...he says they're from Italy because they're from some guy named Fragile'....maybe he's a relative of mine.....

Chris

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Edited by - tubeandplate on 06/12/2010 08:01:44

BanjoLink - Posted - 06/12/2010:  18:16:47

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Excellent commentary Chris! And so true!

I think I can sum up a lot of what you said in a few words - because I am the same way in my profession. The object of your work is to please yourself. I'll bet the easiest person to please is your customer - the hardest to please is you! As long as you take that approach, you will never take short cuts - can't live with them - or do work that "will do" - can't live with that either - or otherwise do anything you are not proud of. That is why Jim cut up one of his own necks! That is why your work is exemplary!

tubeandplate - Posted - 06/12/2010:  19:16:06

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Chaplain Capt. Adams just got his deployment orders and he will be overseas in one month. He will be the Chaplain for a specialized air combat unit....the rest is classified, and he doesn't even know more yet.

His spirits are high, and he's excited.....hard for a civilian to understand, but I guess knowing the hammer is going to drop at any time and the resultant suspense of impending absence from home being removed must feel like a relief to him now.

Please continue to pray for Capt. Adams and his family, AND his unit.

I used hide glue in his fret slots since there's no humidity in the desert where he's going, so unless it gets close to 400 degrees, his frets should stay put pretty well!

We can watch his deployment thread for updates...I'd like to keep that thread alive while he's on assignment if we can as a show of support.....

Chris

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Edited by - tubeandplate on 06/12/2010 19:29:05

tubeandplate - Posted - 06/12/2010:  19:27:34

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And, Thank You, John (BanjoLink)....

I really appreciate your words and summary....very true...hits home.

Good summary....

I hope you'll stick around here.......


Cheers,
Chris

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Edited by - tubeandplate on 06/12/2010 19:27:56

dgoodnight - Posted - 06/19/2010:  14:51:37

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Chris,

I took the TB6 to a jam Thursday tonight. It sounded great. It is so different from a flathead; hard for me to explain. I've never really appreciated a raised head banjo, but I really like this banjo. It has punch, definition of notes, incredible tone,,, I had a blast playing it.

I can't wait to take it to Winfield this year.

Thanks again for making me a raised head convert!

tubeandplate - Posted - 06/19/2010:  15:26:31

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quote:

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Originally posted by dgoodnight



Thanks again for making me a raised head convert!

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Tee Hee.....

I find that an appropriate, albeit ironic and funny use of the word "convert" in the context of this particular instrument (and it's individual history and story) and this instrument type (raised heads which usually get...well...ahhh...CONVERTED...) in general.....!!!

David, I guess you now have a "converted" "conversion", which being a sort of "double negative" means it's now original "as it always has been".....and was meant to be.....


I couldn't be happier...either myself, OR for you, David....that's really, really neat!!

Now, if I can just get Steve Huber to make and offer a flathead to raised head conversion ring.......


Can't speak for any other readers, but I personally am enjoying this thread quite a lot!


Chris

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Edited by - tubeandplate on 06/19/2010 15:34:07

tubeandplate - Posted - 06/23/2010:  20:41:52

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United States Army Capt. Chaplain Rian Adams will be leaving in 2 weeks for his assigned deployment to Afgahnistan....just got word from him.

Not sure how this Gen. McCrystal/Obama thing will affect Rian and his unit, but obviously it will affect the theatre of operations they will be going to very shortly.

Keep Rian and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Not much time to wish him well before he leaves for 12 months....

Rian's thread is here:

banjohangout.org/topic/172870


Chris

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Edited by - tubeandplate on 06/23/2010 20:47:14

rebelchile - Posted - 06/30/2010:  18:51:02

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Chris, thanks for the email reply, and the TB-6 is absolutely STUNNING!!! I am so excited that you have my RB-75 in your shop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

tubeandplate - Posted - 07/01/2010:  07:55:36

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Kent-Thanks!

Some of the swarf from your neck heel is all over the floor in front of my workbench...I need to vaccuum it all up....

Like I told you, some one chopped a bunch of wood out of the flange cutout in the neck heel, and I'm having to "augment" and rebuild the neck heel...a lot like the TB-6's treatment.

I'll keep you posted....


Chris

tubeandplate - Posted - 07/01/2010:  08:17:38

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Randy-Too late...without good before pics, I think it's kind of pointless.

The busier I get, the harder it is to take project pics, though I wish I had time to do that more.

Instead of pics from me on this one, we can wait to see if Kent is happy, and await his comments and pics of the final project, and then, if he does that, I can describe what I did and what it was like.

Time is an issue for me as a one man shop, so pictures and posts like the TB-6 project won't be the norm, unfortunately.

There are and have been quite a few projects like this for non-BHO clients and other situations that I've been working on here and completed that never get mentioned or commented on here on the thread.

I just sent a Recording King RK-80 back to a client that I should have done the same thing too (pictures) since it turned out to be a HOSS that rivaled a lot of $4k banjos I assembled for a well known maker I was associated with in my past life....

I bet this fellow gets on here soon...he just got it back yesterday, and is still walking around dumbounded about how good it turned out...when he comes back to Earth, maybe he'll comment and post some pics, too.

Maybe I should clone myself and the first "self clone" can be the photographer


Chris

humphammer - Posted - 07/01/2010:  08:24:52

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He has a before and after job coming up that will rival any and all--ain't that right Chris!!!

Ken

tubeandplate - Posted - 07/01/2010:  09:33:01

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Several of them for you....you bring me the hard ones!

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Edited by - tubeandplate on 09/20/2010 10:30:37

rebelchile - Posted - 07/03/2010:  16:53:29

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quote:

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Originally posted by Mopick

quote:

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Originally posted by tubeandplate

Randy-Too late...without good before pics, I think it's kind of pointless.

The busier I get, the harder it is to take project pics, though I wish I had time to do that more.

Instead of pics from me on this one, we can wait to see if Kent is happy, and await his comments and pics of the final project, and then, if he does that, I can describe what I did and what it was like.

Time is an issue for me as a one man shop, so pictures and posts like the TB-6 project won't be the norm, unfortunately.

There are and have been quite a few projects like this for non-BHO clients and other situations that I've been working on here and completed that never get mentioned or commented on here on the thread.

I just sent a Recording King RK-80 back to a client that I should have done the same thing too (pictures) since it turned out to be a HOSS that rivaled a lot of $4k banjos I assembled for a well known maker I was associated with in my past life....

I bet this fellow gets on here soon...he just got it back yesterday, and is still walking around dumbounded about how good it turned out...when he comes back to Earth, maybe he'll comment and post some pics, too.

Maybe I should clone myself and the first "self clone" can be the photographer


Chris

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I realize it takes time to do it, but it's just amazing what you do to those banjos. I know Kent is going to be blown away. I've been there and seen first hand what you do. I love my banjo now. Debbie was mad after my recent automobile accident because I was more concerned about my banjo than her car.

Randy

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Randy, I am already blown away!!!!!! I thank The Lord constantly for leading me to you and in turn you leading me to Chris..NO JOKE....my problem for the moment is trying to stay calm and patient We are bustin' a gut to leave for The Smokies, and then on out to Chris's for a visit and a complete mind boggle!!!!!I can hardly wait.

I laughed my butt off when I read about your wife being mad about the car vs the banjo I hope you didn't let her read Ronnie's post about Red Greene's all wheel drive home made car !!!!!!!!!

Thanks for all of your good work Chris, and I WILL DEFINATELY post pictures when all is done...kent

BanjerKen - Posted - 07/06/2010:  12:13:20

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You can add me to the list of Chris's happy customers. I shipped him my Gibson ESS and a couple of weeks later drove over and picked up a much better banjo. I enjoyed visiting with Chris in his shop and seeing how he does his magic.

I bought my Gibson when I barely knew which end of the banjo to hold but thought with the brand name it would have to be good. Well as I learned more about banjos I was not happy with the way it played and sounded so I decided to see if it couldn't be improved.

One advantage Chris has is he is a good player as well as a technician. He set the banjo up with light strings and I just couldn't play it with the light strings but he could make it sound great so I knew it was me and not the banjo. He encouraged me to work with the light strings for awhile and see if I could make them work. He said if I could develope the light touch required it would take my playing to the next level. Well I have been doing that and I am making great progress. The banjo sounds better every day as it settles in.

The only downside so far is that it looks so nice now I hate to get fingerprints on it but I guess that's what towels are for.

Thanks,
Ken

trad.dig.experience - Posted - 07/13/2010:  09:20:53

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Just thought I would put in my two cents about Chris and the great set-up he did on my Recording King RK-80. Below is the review I gave Chris in the Review section of the BHO. I thought it might be wise to copy the review to his thread which seems a lot longer than it did when was searching for a luthier to fix my banjo. It was all the favorable reviews by BHO members that convinced me Chris was the one for the job. And I wasn't disappointed. My banjo sounds unbelievably GREAT!!! Thanks Chris. Anyway, here's my review...


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", just to name a few. 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. Basically he gave it "tender loving care", as if it was his personal banjo or a rare pre-war Gibson. 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.

trad.dig.experience - Posted - 07/13/2010:  09:30:14

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Oops. Sorry Chris. I forgot to sign my name to my above review in case anybody had a question.

Scott McAlpine

Beardog - Posted - 07/18/2010:  19:50:45

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You guys all talked me into it....I'm going to see Earl at the Ryman this week, so I am taking my Gibson style 5 to Chris, for a little magic! Arthur Hatfield had it set up perfectly as a flat top, then I got a wild hair to convert it to an arch top on my own.

Beardog - Posted - 08/15/2010:  18:58:50

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Chris is getting ready to start on my banjos!!

I left my Style 5 Gibson arch top and a 1956 RB250 Bowtie with him. I was very impressed with his shop, and with him personally. I recently played a Gibson ESS that he completely reworked, and it is killer.

Chris is the good looking fellow in shorts!

Beardog - Posted - 09/21/2010:  04:00:39

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Chris has my banjos about about done!

He is just tweaking them and letting them settle in before I pick them up on Sept 30th.

I'll have them at IBMA with me, if anyone wants to give them a whirl!

dgoodnight - Posted - 09/21/2010:  16:44:58

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Update on "The Grand Old Lady"

I just returned from Winfield where I had an incredible time. This year all I took with me was my '29 TB6 archtop that Chris Cioffi restored and setup earlier this summer. I have always been a diehard flathead guy and was a little reluctant to show up at my usual camp with an archtop. The camp is usually full of prewar Mastertones, even some original flatheads. Well, it couldn't have gone better. Everyone loved the sound of it. I haven't had that many compliments about the sound of a banjo since I've been playing. I even had the chance to hear Kurt Stephenson, who won 1st in the National Banjo Championship, Jake Workman, who won 2nd, and Jeremy Stephens, who won 3rd sit directly across from me and play many songs. That was some treat and it was before the contest. What are the odds. They all loved it.

Thanks to Chris' incredible work and setup, this is now my favorite banjo. It just sounds incredible. I never thought I would be saying that. I am true convert. Thank you again Chris.

WesBrown - Posted - 09/24/2010:  05:25:47

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I would like to offer a recommendation to anyone needing some banjo work to look into the work of Chris Cioffi.

My banjo needed some new frets, had some isolated string buzzes and just plain poor quality tone at certain frets, and in general did not meet my expectations for that elusive banjo “sound”.

I chose Chris because after some initial conversations he impressed me as a person who was driven to perfection on set-up and getting the result as best as he knew how, as opposed to just doing the repair work and sending me a bill.

Chris always discussed the options with me before proceeding and we talked about what would be involved regarding time, costs, and expected results. The decisions on how to proceed were left up to me.

I elected to have my radius fingerboard planed, and stainless steel frets installed. We talked about a new neck, but Chris felt he could make the original neck work. I also elected to have a new rim and Huber tone ring installed as a best option to improve the sound quality. Chris fine-tuned the set up until he felt the results measured up to his standards, and then he shipped it back.

What a wonderful surprise. I was and still am, months later, immensely satisfied with the results. The neck plays very well, the buzzes are gone, and the tonal quality is consistent and pleasant up and down the neck.

If you already have a banjo that feels good in your hands, and is comfortable to play, my very strong recommendation is to let Chris have a chance to see if set-up improvements can make you happy before you run out and try to buy just another banjo.

And if your present banjo is just a clunker you have outgrown, check with Chris before you buy for his recommendations and advice.

WesBrown

Beardog - Posted - 09/30/2010:  18:33:10

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I picked up my Gibson RB 5 arch top and my 1956 Bowtie 250 from Chris this evening. All I can say is UNBELIEVABLE! Both banjos exceed my expectations. I will post more after I get home from IBMA. As I said before, anybody at IBMA can check them out!

Eastbanjo - Posted - 10/08/2010:  20:25:09

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Chris is a nice guy. I hope to make it to his shop soon!

Beardog - Posted - 10/18/2010:  06:24:30

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quote:

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Originally posted by Beardog

I recently purchased a 1956 RB 250. I took it to Chris, along with a gold, no-hole Dannick ring, and asked him to completely rework the banjo, install the ring, and set it up for me. I instructed him to do whatever he felt was needed to bring out the best in this vintage banjo. He contacted me multiple times by phone and by e-mail, to tell me about the banjo, what he was doing, and to get my permission to do things before he proceeded. I picked the banjo up recently, at IBMA. I am still in awe of the job that Chris did on the banjo. In addition to basic set up and ring installation, he cleaned the tuners and all the plated hardware, reshaped the neck and made it into a speed neck, installed a new nut, put all new frets on it, and put a new Huber head and Huber .656 bridge on it. It looks like a brand new banjo. I have posted some pictures of the banjo, and a video of a couple of tunes that I recorded. Other photos of the banjo are in the album titled "1956 RB 250" on my home page.

I can't speak highly enough about the work that Chris did for me. The tone, pitch up and down the neck, and playability are fantastic. This is the best speed neck that I have had in my hands yet. He also reworked my Style 5 Gibson arch top, that I will post about at another time.

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youtube.com/watch?v=z2OKKun60j4

pipefitter61 - Posted - 10/18/2010:  06:29:52

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I had a nice lil visit with Chris on saturday. Took one of my old pre-wars over to get his opinion. Saw a very nice looking tb11 being revamped, and had some all around good conversation. Some really nice work coming out of there.

BANJOSANTA - Posted - 10/18/2010:  10:16:05

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I have had a High end Alverez banjo since I purchased it in 1971, new from a music store. I played it for a couple years in a folk group I was in at college and then let it hang around for almost 40 years. I played guitar for years in bands and not until about a year ago did I decide to start playing the banjo again in hopes of getting into a bluegrass band when I retire in 5 years.

I found out about Chris from the internet and decided the old Alvarez needed a restoration. Now I know it's only an Alvarez but, Chris made it sound "incredible". The highs ring out loud and true and the lows are great all the way up the fret board. It was a pretty major overhaul with a new Tony Pass rim, new tuners, all new frets, a neck set (with totally reworked heel), new tail piece, new bridge, head and of course strings. The set up of this banjo is unbelieveable. Chris is a true master of his craft and can make a banjo, even an Alvarez, sound incredible.

Originally, when Chris and I spoke, I was going to replate the gold on the Alvarez as well but instead Chris has graciously agreed to build me what I think will be "Cioffi" #5. I'm extremely axious to get this banjo and Chris says he should be able to have it to me by Christmas. It will have what arguably I believe are the best components available on the market today. A HR-30 Huber tone ring with an engineered rim, Kieth tuners, burled walnut resonator, a speed neck , gold plated and engraved. That only briefly describes the parts but the fact that one of the most skilled luthiers in the world is putting it together only means greatness.

There would be no one else I would recommend to build or restore any banjo that that you may have. Chris is a true gentleman and very easy going to talk to and work with. As I have told him, I wish I had known him when I owned a studio and publishing company in Nashville.
He is definitely someone I could associate with as a friend

I can only conclude by thanking Chris for all his hard work and attention to detail. I am sure waiting for that great Cioffi banjo and will be proud to play it where ever I go. God bless you all!

Beardog - Posted - 10/18/2010:  12:06:18

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I played that Alvarez, BanjoSanta. It is a very good banjo. When I played it, I had to wonder why some of us spend thousands of dollars on banjos. Just send what you have to Chris, and see what you end up with!

tubeandplate - Posted - 10/18/2010:  13:44:22

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Sam-Tell Kent (rebelchile) what you thought of his recent RB-75 I was working on when you were here......

He would love to have a "disinterested" third party opinion......

It was the one that needed the finish touched up on the heel.....



Chris

Beardog - Posted - 10/18/2010:  14:35:01

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I forgot to post the URL to RB 250 thread earlier.

Here it is:

banjohangout.org/topic/188547

Beardog - Posted - 10/18/2010:  14:43:42

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quote:

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Originally posted by tubeandplate

Sam-Tell Kent (rebelchile) what you thought of his recent RB-75 I was working on when you were here......

He would love to have a "disinterested" third party opinion......

It was the one that needed the finish touched up on the heel.....



Chris

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Hey Kent! Yes, I played your banjo at Chris' shop. Have no worries. It is going to please you beyond your expectations. I guarantee that it will knock your socks off. I loved it!

I played every banjo in his shop that wasn't locked down, and had any strings on it! I don't think this guy works on any banjo that doesn't leave there sounding and playing great. In fact, I'm so happy with my "post-Cioffi" banjos, that I sent him my old 1970's Aria Pro II to see what he can do with it. I am ready to be amazed...

rebelchile - Posted - 10/18/2010:  18:32:11

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quote:

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Originally posted by Beardog

quote:

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Originally posted by tubeandplate

Sam-Tell Kent (rebelchile) what you thought of his recent RB-75 I was working on when you were here......

He would love to have a "disinterested" third party opinion......

It was the one that needed the finish touched up on the heel.....



Chris

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Hey Kent! Yes, I played your banjo at Chris' shop. Have no worries. It is going to please you beyond your expectations. I guarantee that it will knock your socks off. I loved it!

I played every banjo in his shop that wasn't locked down, and had any strings on it! I don't think this guy works on any banjo that doesn't leave there sounding and playing great. In fact, I'm so happy with my "post-Cioffi" banjos, that I sent him my old 1970's Aria Pro II to see what he can do with it. I am ready to be amazed...

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Hey Sam,..... Kent here.... very nice to meet you. I fell in love with the 75 that you saw at Chris's place, last year in a Walmart parking lot. Got a decent deal on it and the guy sold it to me, it didn't sound bad at that time, but it had been yinged and yanged by novices until it was almost choked to death, plus someone had taken wood from the heel to make room for a Tony Pass rim, which was replaced later by a Cox maple rim.

I had talked to Randy, "MoPick" about the problem that I had, with it not having as much "bark and growl" as I like to hear. He refered me to Chris imediately, I sent an email to Chris, and within a few days we were planning some upgrades.

To make the story shorter, I had asked Chris what he thought about it, back in the last part of July when he had just finished the pot and the heel work, fret job etc. I said what does it sound like?? he replied that it sounded good..... Meanwhile.... I had heard Rian's #3 on YouTube..... WOW!!!!.... now that one really knocked my socks off for sure.

I was hoping that it would be in the same caliber as his #3. I like that "loud, growly, bluesy, "old" Gibson sound". I'm very flattered that you like it, I can't wait to get it back home, and I am sure that Chris and I will post pictures and a complete assessment of it's rebirth real soon.

Thanks for being straight up and a good friend Chris...... and thanks for the kind word Sam.

kent

Beardog - Posted - 10/19/2010:  15:32:40

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"I like that "loud, growly, bluesy, "old" Gibson sound". "

Kent, that's exactly how I would describe your 75! Just don't over tighten the head, and it will stay that way.

When are you supposed get your banjo back from Chris??

rebelchile - Posted - 10/19/2010:  16:32:17

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Not sure just yet Sam,... we are waiting on the neck to be finished,... stained, glossed, buffed etc. and a final tweeking by Chris before it makes it's journey back to me.

I wanted to go out and visit with Chris for a few minutes and pick it up myself, but it's such a long ride out there from the coastal plains of NC to Tennnessee, I'm gonna trust our transportaion system and and ask for an angel to ride back with it.... no joke.

Thanks again, and a story with pictures will follow soon.

kent

rebelchile - Posted - 10/19/2010:  16:47:37

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Oh by the way, Sam.... I heard your sound file and really looked at your banjo closely. It is very beautiful and sounds like a million bucks as well... I haven't seen anything come from Chris' shop that didn't completely blow me away..... sound wise as well as cosmeticaly.... It's nice to know someone personally..... who has "rock star" status... and a nice guy to boot......

Maybe we should talk Chris into pursuing a "side career" of politics?? 2012 Presidency or so

Just kiddin' Chris.... that would absolutely have to be a "full time career" and someone has got to keep U.S. Quality production and repair of 5 string instruments going until the infrastructure finally crumbles

Once again nice banjo... Sam

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Edited by - rebelchile on 10/19/2010 16:52:40

tubeandplate - Posted - 10/19/2010:  17:09:25

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quote:

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[i]I fell in love with the 75 that you saw at Chris's place, last year in a Walmart parking lot.

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Kent-

Which Walmart exactly was that????? I need to go to THAT one!

quote:

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[i] It's nice to know someone personally..... who has "rock star" status... and a nice guy to boot......

Maybe we should talk Chris into pursuing a "side career" of politics?? 2012 Presidency or so

Just kiddin' Chris.... that would absolutely have to be a "full time career" and someone has got to keep U.S. Quality production and repair of 5 string instruments going until the infrastructure finally crumbles

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Kent, sounds like you have me confused with someone else.....


BTW-IF I were prez....hmmm....wouldn't be pleasant for a LOT of people, but the minority that liked what I was doing would be very happy.....before the assasination.

Also, as far as prez being full time job as you say, some one should whisper that into the O'Bamessiah's ear while hes' on the golf course.......I don't think he got the memo on it being a job.



My hope is that I can make some good friends, earn something to eat, and help the place be a little more enjoyable by trying to make some banjos sound great before the crumbling......

It's gonna crumble...the only question is are we going to fade away with smiles on our faces because we have nice sounding banjos in our laps or not? One thing is certain; when it crumbles, my shop will be the one shop with with the least Chinese steel in it....I guess this is my only revenge....

Might as well go happy, eh?


Chris

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Edited by - tubeandplate on 10/19/2010 17:17:34

rebelchile - Posted - 10/19/2010:  17:58:07

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One thing is certain; when it crumbles, my shop will be the one shop with with the least Chinese steel in it....I guess this is my only revenge....

Might as well go happy, eh?


Chris


Yeah.... I know exactly how you feel.... I don't have any quirks with competition from other peoples/countries... my "rash" is a result of our "leaders" gittin' fat, rich, and lazy and letting quality control and the majority of U.S. Products and the production of said products (ie) musical instruments... (ie).. Fender / Gibson go to other countries (ie) 1962 reissue Japanese Fender Jazz Bass???? remember that one??? ......later K

Mopick - Posted - 10/20/2010:  05:03:27

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I only want to know one thing Chris. How did you wind those strings on my banjo? I changed strings and it looked like a drunk monkey wound them on the pegs. When I got the banjo from you the strings were precisely and exactly wound in true Chris Cioffi manner. I think you have one of those antique lathes set up as a super mondo string winding machine complete with line feed guide.

I gave someone else here in FL your phone number, you may have heard from him by now. He has a 1955 Gibson RB 250, archtop (bowtie) that needs some of your TLC.

I called you the other day. I just wanted to chat and I know your busy but I do miss our conversations and I hope we can talk soon.

Randy

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Edited by - Mopick on 10/20/2010 05:05:12

BANJOSANTA - Posted - 11/02/2010:  08:38:50

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I received my Alvarez Banjo from Chris a few weeks ago and every day it gets better and better. I find myself playing from 3-4 hours a day and really enjoying the journey.

Chris made this 40 year old import sound like a cannon. Everyone who plays it can't believe it's an Alvarez because it's so rich and loud. I've had to learn to attack the strings a little less than before so as not to get too loud. As I have mentioned previously, Chris is building me a "Cioffi" banjo and says it will blow away the Alvarez. How can this be? I can hardly wait for Christmas when it's scheduled for delivery.

I can only reiterate and say that if you need anything done that involves a banjo, there is no finer luthier you could put your faith in. It is one thing to be a "repairman" and another to execute your craft for the love of the banjo itself. With this work ethic, no matter what you send Chris, he will work dilegently to make it the best it can possibly be. A true master of his craft.

Thanks, again, Chris for all your efforts and frienship. Hope to see you in the near future. God Bless!

Beardog - Posted - 11/13/2010:  09:14:11

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I've been playing my RB 5 arch top for about 6 weeks now. It just keeps getting better. Not only is it gorgeous, it has everything that I want in a banjo. It has pop, growl, and sweet tone, all rolled into one banjo. The neck and frets play like butter, too.

As much as I love the RB 250 that Chris reworked for me, I think that this arch top is my personal favorite. It is just such a nice banjo, that I hate to take it out of my house!

For all you folks that think raised head banjos are just for the "Ralph Stanley" sound (not that there is anything wrong with the Stanley sound), I challenge you to have Chris do some work on that arch top that is sitting in the corner gathering dust!

banjohangout.org/myhangout/vid...=&id=6302

rebelchile - Posted - 11/13/2010:  14:27:53

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Nice sounding 5 Sam, and very beautiful as well. In my humble opinion, I don't think that I have heard a better sounding archtop in my life.... good pickin' too.. kent

Beardog - Posted - 11/13/2010:  19:33:49

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quote:

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Originally posted by rebelchile

Nice sounding 5 Sam, and very beautiful as well. In my humble opinion, I don't think that I have heard a better sounding archtop in my life.... good pickin' too.. kent

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I have played two arch tops (in my limited experience, so far) that were close to my RB 5. One was at Chris' shop...a custom banjo that he made for a fellow. It was awesome, and a whole lot cheaper than a Gibson RB 5! The other one was a walnut Hopkins arch top that Paul Hopkins had at IBMA.

rebelchile - Posted - 12/17/2010:  14:11:17

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Awhile back there was some discussion about Chris's repairing my RB75. Well...Wednesday the US Postal Service rolled in the yard with it,..... I would like to comment on the instrument to all of ya'll in computer land,... and the repair work in my humble observation.

I started my banjo "ride" in the Fall of 2009 with a Model C ODE. I wanted a Gibson but couldn't afford one. I finally met one that I liked in a Walmart parking lot back in the early Spring of 2010. I made the deal with the owner and was driving home with a 1997 "Crowe" signature RB75.

WRONG...... I found out later that the tone ring in it was a "Mystery Ring" and the rim had been changed out twice. The first rim that replaced whatever came in it was a "Pass" rim, that was later replaced by a previous owner with a maple "Cox" rim.

I noticed that this banjer seemed to be too tight, and couldn't breathe. It couldn't "voice" its opinion when I called on it to do so. It was literally choked to death and couldn't sing. I loosend the head, and tinkered to no avail. No one could seem to "open" it up and make it "talk" so to speak.

I asked Mopick, (who)... he thought could help me solve my problem with it. He imediately suggested Chris Cioffi. I called Chris in May of 2010 and the 75 was on the way to the great state of Tennessee within a couple of weeks.

Chris called me a few days later and told me that the heel of the neck had been "chopped out".. to make way for some kind of modification in the past. I told him about the "Pass" rim and we figured that might have been the reason for that owners mistake.

He also suggested a complete neckset, and rebuild to fix that problem, a complete fret job, level the fret board, a Huber HR30 tone ring, a Huber frosted head, steel co-rods and boo-coos of other odds and ends.

I told him that at first I was let down because this banjo would never be an "original", but now...... I could care less about that issue. That's not even an issue any more.

Like I said before..... it rolled into the yard 2 days ago and I have fallen head over heels in love with ......"her"............ ....She is beautiful.... with the sweetest voice that I could ever have imagined. On the "top end" she is so very sweet, and then........ on the "bottom end" she turns into an angry, sassy, woman that cries, and sings the blues....

I can only "try" to "tell" you all... how good this man's work really is. When I hold this beautiful "lady" in my arms and play her, she resonates and trembles all through the neck and pot assembly. It is truly amazing how good this "new" model Gib is, although it really ain't a Gib anymore...... now it's even better.

I am told by Chris,.. that as she matures, and mates together, that she will "open up" even more.......... I am so in love.

I am going to try and post some pictures of the finished instrument. The quality might not do it justice....as I am a musician, and not a photographer. Hopefully Chris will chime in and explain things in a better light.

Merry "Christ"mas to all of ya'll...... and thanks Chris for being a good friend, and an excellent Luthier.

gke

rebelchile - Posted - 12/17/2010:  15:28:12

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here is a try

rebelchile - Posted - 12/17/2010:  15:40:50

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here is another

rebelchile - Posted - 12/17/2010:  15:52:36

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and another

rebelchile - Posted - 12/17/2010:  16:04:10

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and.........last but not least