The bridges came in the mail today and I slipped the taller bridge on the banjo.  This bridge has 12 growth rings.  It delivers a VERY balanced tone across the frequencies, exactly what I was looking for.  I am planning on leaving the bridge on indefinitely because it really does sound amazing.

I highly recommend David Wadsworth bridges.

Doug Knecht

This is exactly what I was after, when I put it on my Deering, very quick and easy to install by the way, it made a vast difference in volume. When I tightened it a bit, it was incredible how much it muted the Banjo. I will now be able to practice without all the huffs and groans from the family, and also the next door neighbour giving me the daggers when I go to the mail box.

Bart is also very easy and fun to deal with. Very respectful and obliging, and he delivers on time when he says he will. Aside from his standard work, he also performs custom requests. Along with all the 5 string bluegrass bridges he's made for me, he recently made me an 1890's 2 footed classic style bridge, to spec per my measurements. I must have given him 20 different specs, and he nailed it. Very happy with Bart's service and work over the years, I wont use anything else. 

Just trying to spread the word here....these bridges and Bart are special.  Thanks Bart!

Dow

My string selections were made with frailing in mind. With Mike's Mute in place, I get a tone bordering on acoustic guitar while still sounding like a banjo. Now I have two instruments in one and don't have to find a place to keep that newly aquired second instrument. A glass bottle neck slide has some real possibilities.

Mike's Mute is based on a solid concept and is well made. Mike has quickly replied to my after purchase questions along with throwing in some helpful details. His going that little extra enabled me to get the full benefits from his mute right away.

I haven't used any other mutes before and have only read less than enthusiastic reviews for other mute types. Mike's Mute is a complete package. I really don't see how it could be improved apon. It's been well worth the price of admission. If or when the need arises for another banjo mute, without hesitation, it'll be a Mike's Mute.

Now the bridge itself: the photos don't really do Don's careful workmanship full justice. To adapt the old saying I guess that's just that a quality bridge in the hand is worth two in the picture. The Spillway original bridge is beautifully made and the slots cut for the non-standard gauges that I specified were accurate and a perfect fit. The drilled design and arch-gapped foot were also cleanly cut and perfectly finished. And the longditudinal aspect of the bridge is neatly tapered from wider foot to thinner top while still leaving ample contact area for the strings. The gauge ranges of the strings I use are unusually wide and this bridge transmits the bass and the treble equally well. The bass range has a thump without overtones that could conflict with the treble end. The treble strings sing out with clarity and a really nice amount of sustain, not too much, and again without conflicting overtones.

Don's bridge in itself is a 10/10 for quality. It does have the appearance of a bridge that has evolved it's final design by sensitive listening through trial and testing. That knowledge and practical development, as well as Don's workmanship, are what are passed on to the player.  I have given this bridge a satisfaction rating of 9 based only on the set-up I currently have. However I strongly suspect this will rise to a 10 when I switch to a tailpiece that will allow the full potential of this bridge to be released. 

My review can only feedback in regard to trialing this bridge with non-steel strings. If you are looking for an uncapped bridge for nylon, gut or nylgut strings I wouldn't hesitate to suggest contacting Don for one of his original design bridges.

Clancy insisted I send the my pot ('26 TB1 conversion) down to him for fitment. This is one of the wisest things I've ever done, despite having it held in customs purgatory on its way to the States from Canada. I've never had a neck that bolted on so cleanly with no coordinator rod adjustment needed to get the action right. Needless to say the neck makes proper contact just the way it is supposed to.. My banjo used to sound great - now it is SPECTACULAR.

Thank you very much Clancy for the great service, advice and an outstanding neck that I'll have the rest of my days.

DAVE

I trusted him on it, and I’m glad I did.  This bridge improved the tone of this RB-250 by increasing its warmth and response – by a lot.  In fact, the improvement in response is downright remarkable.  I am able to get a beautiful tone out of the instrument with the lightest touch and lowest volume, and it is as loud as you need it be as well.   The biggest improvement was up the neck…all the way up.  It is getting a really nice, ringing, bell-like tone from 12 all the way up to 22.  I love playing on that part of the neck on this banjo now.  When I first put it on, I think I noticed a bit of loss on the bottom end, low on the 4^th string.  I don’t notice that anymore, and the gains all over the rest of the neck more than make up for it.

And a final word about the craftsmanship of the bridge.  It’s easily the most well crafted bridge I have seen.  Perfectly shaped to a fine edge…the Archie is thin…very thin, especially at the top.  It is easy to see the level of care that goes into making a bridge this fine. 

I don’t hesitate to recommend Bart’s bridges for a moment.  If you are looking to get something more out of your banjo, drop him a note.  You won’t be disappointed.

It's my third strap from Dave, and it definitely won't be my last. As long as he keeps making them, I'll keep buying them.

Keep up the great work Dave 

The tuners are very top-notch in every aspect. No incessant fiddling with trying to get to the right note, as with the Schallers. Since the tuners have their own separate levers, I don't have to worry about the other pegs on my banjo. 

These tuners may be "ugly" to some, but they blend in very well with the peghead on my Epiphone. They are held in place by the 1st and 4th tuning pegs. 

To set the tuners, first tighten the two set screws on either side of the tuner housing. The two levers should be previously set at a 45 degree (approximate) angle, which is the higher tuning position. The banjo should be in normal G tuning at this point, and the levers should not move the cams. Now, gradually loosen the set screw while pushing the left lever (G side of peghead) slowly clockwise. The note will decrease in pitch.

 Reverse the movement of the lever on the B side of the peghead. When you have reached F# (lower cam), and A natural (higher cam), stop loosening the screws. At this juncture, you can proceed to pull the left lever counterclockwise back up to G, and the right lever clockwise to B. The beauty of the tuners is that they do not require re-tuning if you play in a different key, and there are no ruined gear housings to worry about!

The bottom line is that the tuners work, they're an awesome product (no Chinese junk), and that I will be using them for many years to come. Thanks goes to Jim Britton for his excellent service and communication.

A great piece of kit and so comfortable and easy to fit on my Gretsch Banjo. Looks great.

Really fast postage from Europe too :).

I also bought their Picking Trainer too which is terrific for practising my rolls when I don't have my banjo with me.

It works well and is terrific for practising my rolls when I don't have my banjo with me.

I also bought one of their beautiful arm rests too for my Gretsch Banjo

Really fast postage from Europe too :).