westsideryan - Posted - 05/11/2014:  11:37:20

Howdy,

I am hoping to get back into playing clawhammer this summer.  I sold my last banjo which was a Reiter Round Peak a little over a year ago to help fund some schooling and now I am looking into pick up another open back as soon as I move some other instruments on Ebay.  

I thought that the Reiter Round Peak was (and is) a great banjo, but now the Rickard Maple Ridge has caught my eye.  I just love the aesthetics.  Seeing as though I can't see one in person, all that I have to guide me are YouTube videos and the reviews on this site.  Seems that the reviews point out that right out of the box that setup was an issue.  Since I would most likely (depending on what he sells them for) purchase the Rickard through Arnie Naiman I would trust that the banjo would arrive set up nicely.  I have also seen that a few of these banjos have changed hands, so it got me thinking that the owners didn't fall head over heels for them.  Although, I do take into consideration that quite a few people have perpetual GAS so they are always buying and selling!  

Does anyone have any experience with the Rickard that they'd be willing to share?  

Thanks much,

Ryan

Edited by - westsideryan on 05/12/2014 01:46:46

banjopickingman - Posted - 05/11/2014:  15:38:17

I purchased mine from pastorharry, whose review you can read in the reviews section. For my style of play and aesthetic preferences, this is the perfect banjo. It is an extremely well-built and well-designed instrument, and it has a really distinctive sound. The hardware is top quality, neck has great feel, it looks great. I've owned a number of decent banjos over the years, but really was looking for one that I could keep for life and really get to know. This is the one.

westsideryan - Posted - 05/12/2014:  01:53:27

Thanks for the info! You reminded me that I read somewhere that the Maple Ridge has a V shaped neck. I really love V shaped necks on guitar so I thought it would also be great on a banjo. You say that it has a unique sound. I know that it's not the easiest thing to do, but is there any way you could elaborate on that?



Thanks!

Edited by - westsideryan on 05/12/2014 01:53:58

coreyowen - Posted - 05/12/2014:  09:44:19

I just played a Maple Ridge a few weeks ago... Alas, if I only had the money!! It was loud, but not overbearing. I got try both an 11" and a 12"--I loved them both, but preferred the more focussed sound of the 11". Excellent mid-range, but had some nice lows too.

westsideryan - Posted - 05/12/2014:  12:47:43

If I do decide to go with the Maple Ridge, size will be another guessing game for me. I really liked the Round Peak which was a 12", but I am sure that the Maple Ridge sounds quite a bit different.

banjopickingman - Posted - 05/12/2014:  21:20:34

quote:

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Originally posted by westsideryan

You say that it has a unique sound. I know that it's not the easiest thing to do, but is there any way you could elaborate on that?



Thanks!

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Hi, I gave it some thought and I'm not sure how to go about describing the sound, especially as the sound is so dependent on playing style and set up. Compared to another dobson tone ring banjo I had, this one has more of a dobson-esque sound, if that makes any sense. What I like about the sound is that it's not always smooth or sweet--it has some roughness and character. It sounds great to my ears!

Mine's an 11 incher btw.

Edited by - banjopickingman on 05/12/2014 21:21:27