Doggit - Posted - 08/16/2025:  04:23:50

Such sad news. I was so upset when I heard that his workshop burned down. That couldn't have helped him with his illness. God bless, RIP.

Phil Hall - Posted - 08/16/2025:  05:13:35

I don't play a Hatfield banjo. I have bought banjos from other players/collectors who are very good banjo players were lightening up their banjo collections... I asked what banjos have you kept behind and two of them said "My Hatfields", of course…

scatterjoy - Posted - 08/16/2025:  06:36:34

This gentleman crafted musical instruments, clearly made a lot of friends and touched a lot of lives. Lost his shop to fire, lost his wife, and all the while struggled with cancer. What they say is something like “God receives, not takes”. I didn’t even know him until the fire message here and I miss him already.

rb4player - Posted - 08/16/2025:  07:36:25

RIP Arthur. I will always hold fond memories of our interactions, from neck builds to parts swaps to the follow-on of your binding fire incident.

Arthur was the best.

Edited by - rb4player on 08/16/2025 07:38:40

krazyspank - Posted - 08/16/2025:  10:34:36

I bought a custom Hatfield Arthur made for me in 2016, My wife and I drove from Maryland to pick it up. We were greeted as he had known us for years, Had a little picking session to make sure the banjo was as I liked , Invited us in His home offered us a Rc cola , I purchased a few shirts, videos, hat and a doz packs of Arthurs selection of strings. Will never forget that Day! Rip u will be sorely missed

wesnykolyn - Posted - 08/16/2025:  14:00:40

Drove to Arthur’s place to pick up my banjo from Canada. Nice guy and a great banjo builder!

RIP

 

Tom Robison - Posted - 08/16/2025:  14:03:45

In July of 2010 I drove to Springfield TN from California to visit Chris Cioffi and pick up a banjo he repaired for me and he suggested we visit Arthur. Since it was not too far from Chris' home off we went. Arthur was in his workshop working on one of several banjos but he took time out to show me around and answer questions. Since I never go anywhere without my camera I took a number of photo to remember my visit with his humble man. Arthur was the best.

Edited by - Tom Robison on 08/16/2025 14:04:59

DJMorgan - Posted - 08/16/2025:  14:14:53

Arthur will be greatly missed. Hope he gets some picking time in with Kenny!

CoffeeRoaster - Posted - 08/16/2025:  15:01:03

It makes me feel sad to hear of the death of Arthur Hatfield. I never knew him except after his fire burned down his shop. I wanted to help him get his new building and equipment so I sent him money to help in the process. I wanted to purchase one of his banjos when he got set up again.
I volunteered to go down and help in anyway I could but he said not to bother as he had many people locally. Now i wish I had gone just to visit and get to know him.
He said he would take my name and call when he had one ready. I never heard anything.
I pray he is in heaven with Jesus.

Realbluegrassfan - Posted - 08/16/2025:  15:35:21

I had the privilege of visiting Arthur Hatfield several times. We worked on putting together a non-Hatfield banjo as if it were one of his; replacing neck lag screws, fitting the neck to the pot assembly, changing the tone ring a bit, replacing the nut, and one of Arthur's little tricks. All this after Arthur guided me on getting the neck bow correctly done. I had another banjo that the builder's wife said might have one of Arthur's necks on it. I asked her how she could tell and was told, "By the quality". I took the banjo to Arthur to verify and he showed me how to tell one of his necks. It was one of Arthur's. Then he went through a set-up procedure on the banjo. When asked, Arthur said I didn't owe him anything. Not acceptable to me, so he was paid. I had sent money to Arthur after the fire and told him in was a "non-refundable" deposit for a banjo, doubting that it would ever be made knowing his condition. I called to check on him the second week of July and he told me he had been trying to find out how to get in touch with me to return the money as most all of his phone numbers were lost in the fire. I told him to buy something he would never do for himself, like go out for the best dinner he could find. Arthur still returned most of the money I had sent. Just the kind of guy he was. At the funeral there was a notebook that had all the banjos he had built, numbered, and who he had built them for. I foorgot the exct number, I think it was about 698, but I am not positive about that. I never heard anyone say anything less than positive about Arthur. I will miss my calls and visits to his home and shop.

8thpol - Posted - 08/16/2025:  16:29:18

Sorry to hear this news. Rest in Peace

Dale Diehl - Posted - 08/17/2025:  06:35:32

Only had the chance to meet Mr. Hatfield at the benefit held in his honor. Jim B. and I rode up to the event. I will long remember his glowing smile as we were introduced. He was almost giddy as he greeted friends and tweeked a banjo that was presented to him. It was a great experience.

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 08/17/2025:  06:52:09

quote:

---

Originally posted by Realbluegrassfan

I had the privilege of visiting Arthur Hatfield several times. We worked on putting together a non-Hatfield banjo as if it were one of his; replacing neck lag screws, fitting the neck to the pot assembly, changing the tone ring a bit, replacing the nut, and one of Arthur's little tricks. All this after Arthur guided me on getting the neck bow correctly done. I had another banjo that the builder's wife said might have one of Arthur's necks on it. I asked her how she could tell and was told, "By the quality". I took the banjo to Arthur to verify and he showed me how to tell one of his necks. It was one of Arthur's. Then he went through a set-up procedure on the banjo. When asked, Arthur said I didn't owe him anything. Not acceptable to me, so he was paid. I had sent money to Arthur after the fire and told him in was a "non-refundable" deposit for a banjo, doubting that it would ever be made knowing his condition. I called to check on him the second week of July and he told me he had been trying to find out how to get in touch with me to return the money as most all of his phone numbers were lost in the fire. I told him to buy something he would never do for himself, like go out for the best dinner he could find. Arthur still returned most of the money I had sent. Just the kind of guy he was. At the funeral there was a notebook that had all the banjos he had built, numbered, and who he had built them for. I foorgot the exct number, I think it was about 698, but I am not positive about that. I never heard anyone say anything less than positive about Arthur. I will miss my calls and visits to his home and shop.

---

698 would have been I believe Arthur's last banjo. I am pretty sure he made 698 of them.  I saw Arthur Sunday the 27  before he passed on the 31st. I was told that he shipped some things and completed all his business just before he came to bedrest and was very relieved to have gotten it all done.  Arthur Hatfield was as good a man as you can get. He was just a special person that I too shall miss talking with and dealing with. I have no idea who I will take my Hatfield banjo to should it need anything and I know for sure that I won't look forward to it as I did with Arthur even though it was over 200 miles to get there. I could not attend the funeral but know I will make at least one more trip there to lay some flowers and play my Hatfield there. 

I wonder what would have happened had Arthur done the Chemo.

Yes sir, he is missed. 

Ken

Ken

Paul Foytack - Posted - 08/17/2025:  07:50:31

Sad news indeed. R.I.P. Arthur

He was a kind man. When I picked up my Buckcreek at his shop, he noticed that I was hesitant to play in front of him. He let me off the hook and said, "you want me to play something so you can hear how it sounds?" Immediately I said yes.
He helped me save face /embarrassment.
That was very kind, and I'll never forget that.

Love 'em while you've got 'em folks!

Bruce Jones - Posted - 08/18/2025:  07:12:31

I had the good fortune of purchasing a used Buck Creek just before Mr. Hatfield announced the return of his cancer and then had his shop destroyed by fire. He seemed to be a remarkable person and was much in my thoughts and prayers as I played the beautiful banjo that he had crafted. Sorry that I never got to meet him and very sad to learn of his passing.

Kevin S - Posted - 08/19/2025:  07:20:58

I’m gonna miss talkin and laughing with Arthur on the phone and our visits when my wife and I would stop by the shop on our way to Nashville. My deepest condolences to Arthur’s family and close friends. ....... as Arthur and Beverly knew me .... “Kevin from Chicago”.