A group for those that own, play, or otherwise admire Hatfield banjos

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Buck Creek's home

From BobbyE on 4/1/2016 7:37:49 AM

Well I left Bowling Green, Kentucky in an early morning rain, (more like a flood), and drove down a couple of long and winding roads, that weren't helped any by the rain and a Coca Cola delivery truck broke down in the middle of the road and on the crest of a hill.  Finally made it to Arthur's and parked and went into his work shop to spend some time with her and Arthur.  Banjo was lying in state in her emerald green lined case and the brown rosewood fingerboard with ivory colored inlays put a catch in my throat.  She was beautiful and the workmanship superb.  (Thought about giving her the name Buckette Creek but somehow didn't seem fitting for such a beautiful instrument).  When I started to play her it got even better.  First song was a shaky rendition of "How Great Thou Art," and I don't remember what followed after that.  Me and Arthur talked some and discussed banjos and the state of modern country music, which is pretty pathetic, if mine and Arthur's opinion is anything to go by.  I had Arthur picked a number or two so that I could stand in front of the banjo and see how it sounded in the hands of a good picker and boy did she strut her stuff.  Gonna have to give her a few lessons in being lady-like I guess.  I knew from the weather reports that I was going to be chasing heavy rain on an 8 hours drive home so I didn't stay as long as I would have liked but like so many told me in previous post, it was worth the drive. I left with a Hatfield Banjo cap on my head,  a tan XL Hatfield Banjo T-shirt in the car, a big grin on my face, and an experience I won't soon forget. 

I am typing this the next day after I got home and just finished my first extended playing of the banjo and man it is a great instrument.  If anyone is looking for a new banjo, I can't imagine wanting more than this banjo is.  It is already sounding great and I know once it settles in a bit and gets some playing time on her, and I get a bit more used to her, she will only get better.  Well enough of this stuff,  just wanted to report on my experience and if you are currently waiting on a banjo from Arthur, it is worth the wait and you won't be disappointed.

6 Comments
	PKM says: 4/1/2016 8:07:47 AM Bobby, Thats great to hear ! I know, as does everyone on this post, that you will love that banjo ! I'm a tinkerer, which is a good thing in my case, because I live in a rain Forest, in the mountains. For banjos what that means is that my Hatfield changes slightly with the seasons because the moisture content between summer and winter, as well as temperatures, change drastically. I love the Hatfield compensating bridge, the for the winter months, change to either a Sullivan or a Snuffy. Those 2 bridges are just a smidgen brighter on my banjo, and sound better to my liking when the temperatures up here are sub-30 degrees, with buckets of humidity. Now that spring is here, those bridges sound thin and I'm back to the Hatfield bridge. Thats the only adjustment I ever need and know that it is only because of my severe conditions. BTW, I had very, very dear friends, who were my adopted grandparents who lived for several generations, until their passing, in Dothan. Sid & Catherine ( affectionately nicknamed Ting-a-ling) Wilson lived on the old family plantation outside of town. I loved visiting Dothan, and the Wilsons were such wonderful folks. Regards and keep picking !
	Banjo Lefty says: 4/1/2016 9:04:41 AM Congratulations!! Report back here in about six weeks or so and let us know how your new Buckcreek has opened up!
	mayhaw says: 4/1/2016 5:05:01 PM What a great experience! You're killing me BobbyE. About two more months and I should be good to go. It still doesn't stop me from hoping for the call every day.
	mayhaw says: 4/1/2016 5:55:34 PM What a great experience! You're killing me BobbyE. About two more months and I should be good to go. It still doesn't stop me from hoping for the call every day.
	mayhaw says: 4/1/2016 6:07:17 PM What a great experience! You're killing me BobbyE. About two more months and I should be good to go. It still doesn't stop me from hoping for the call every day.
	From Greylock to Bean Blossom says: 4/3/2016 2:52:49 AM Congrats Bobby and glad you were able to have the great experience and banjo to play that we all have had. ken
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