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The banjo reviews database is here to help educate people before they purchase an instrument. Of course, this is not meant to be a substitute for playing the instrument yourself!
7237 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: Banjo Ben
I picked up some Cockrum Studios scalloped and compensated roasted maple bridges for two open back banjos. After a couple weeks of play, I'm really happy with improvements to the sound of each instrument - increased volume and 'pop' being very noticeable. To my ear, there's also more definition to individual notes, probably as a function of the changes I just noted. I'll be sticking with these and have ordered another for a third instrument.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Eagle music, England
Just a quick shout out for Silvio Ferretti and his Scorpion bridge. I recently fitted one to my Stanley tone and I have to say it has exceeded my expectations. Very clean all over the neck, booming D sting and very balanced.
A very, very good bridge. Highly reccomended.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: elderly
Have used many bridges for many years. always like snuffy smith both compensated and not. even the pegged one.still think they are some of the best. Bought a moon bridge and things changed. just awesome. the do take a little more to get just right. I found that one I get that third string in tune and intonation just right the others just seem to fall in place. cant use a mute because of the curvature but that's ok. they sound great and are so stable. if you are happy with what you have that's great. If you need a new bridge and have a compensation issue like many of us then this is a great option. They do set back further to the bridge but its all in the design. elderly music is where I got mine and they are made in Ohio. cant give it a 10 cause nothing is perfect but its as close as ive found so far.
Overall Rating: 9
Where Purchased: www.banjobridge.com
I don't know a whole lot about banjo yet, but I was looking for a way to make my Dean 6-string sound brighter and choppier for a rock and roll recording project I'm doing, and folks recommended I get one of those very thin bridges. That led me to Bart Veerman 's website banjobridge.com . He has one made of teak and ebony that I was going to get after reading it really perked up the sound of cheap banjos. Bart suggested I get an Archie instead, which looks to be the most extreme bridge he makes. OK, he's the expert, so I ordered one, and it came yesterday.
Wow, does it perk up the sound of my cheap Dean! Bright and choppy in spades! It's also louder, and even noise from the head sounds louder, which I dig. I did a test track on a song I recorded with the stock bridge last week to see how it compares, and the Archie is so much clearer and requires no extra EQ to sound like what I think it should sound like for this project. So I'm quite happy with my purchase, and I'm pretty sure it won't be my last from Bart. Take it for what it's worth from a newb with an aluminum bottlecap, but I do know music and sound, and the way this Dean's recording now is quite pleasing to me.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: https://www.banjobridge.com/
I recently had pleasure of ordering a new "Archie" bridge from Bart Veerman at https://www.banjobridge.com/ for my Deering tenor and wow is all I can say except maybe to say stop what you're doing and get one for yourself!
I'm playing in a Dixieland combo and just did my first performance with them since the COVID shutdown and the old tenor banjo has never sounded better! Plus it's just a bonny little thing to admire and appreciate for the design and craftsmanship.
Thanks, Bart!
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: https://banjobridge.com/
Just got my custom, #10 bridge for my vintage Slingerland tenor banjo, string for Irish tuning. Installed the bridge as soon as I got it and my banjo has never sounded better. My G string actually makes a sound, not a plunk and the rest of the scale opened up as well. Fantastic sound, will absolutely do business again.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Direct from Tim Purcell
This Locust bridge is perfect with my 12" Pisgah Cherry Dobson, outfitted with a J. Balch select African Goatskin head. The bridge brings out the true character of the Dobson tone ring with out too much ringing/overtones, and eliminating the need to stuff a towel under the head to control them. Tim dubs it as a bridge for clawhammer/frailing players and it truly is perfect for that! Mine was made in a .656" height with Crowe Spacing.
I use Tim's bridges exclusively these days. As a discerning claw hammer player that has tried different bridges from various makers I can honestly say Tim's are my favorites, and this Locust bridge is no exception. His design eliminates the possibility of sagging in the middle and his workmanship is impeccable. His prices are quite reasonable, but the best thing is the fact that you can contact him, tell him what you're after and he will gladly accommodate you! Rare these days! Tim is genuinely a great guy, making some great bridges and this latest Locust addition is a testimony to it!
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: BHO
I needed a custom height bridge to replace the one on my Zach Hoyt banjo. Don was happy to make me one, & it came out great. Sounds just the way I wanted ( not to bright or dark ). Looks pretty cool too.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Purcell banjo bridge
Love this bridge. I actually bought two separate ones at different times but both red maple. I put one on a new rkr35 the stock bridge was garbage in my opinion and had sideways cut slots but that's a different issue all together. Once the new bridge was installed the banjo came alive both volume and tone wise. The second bridge I put on a gold tone ob250 and man o man these bridges are amazing. Just purchased another Purcell bridge this time a table top maple bridge for my companion banjo and can't wait to get It here and installed. If you need a new bridge or are just thinking about the trying something new or experimenting then get a Purcell bridge.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Purcell Banjo Bridges website
I've heard about these great bridges through the grapevine before but recently had a good friend sing the praises of a Purcell bridge on his prewar Granada.
A quick Google search led me to Tim Purcell's fine website where I promptly purchased two of the "Drop Forge" models (one in 5/8", one in .656") made from maple used to hold down the weights on a heavily used old drop forge. Once they arrived I threw the 5/8" on my TB-11 conversion. Within minutes of picking I noticed a much bolder, rounded mid-range and great low-end. Some previous shrillness in the upper registers disappeared with this bridge and gave way to wonderful, clear tones.
This is a fantastic bridge; Tim Purcell has spectacular customer service to match his craftsmanship.
Please check his work out at http://www.purcell-banjo-bridges.com/
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Ordered Directly Through banjobridge.com
Once again, Bart came through with a winner. This time, it was for a tenor banjo set up for Irish (GDAE) tuning. I learned about a "Celtic" model that he makes for just this purpose and had to give it a try. It's a very elegant two-footed bridge, very light to enhance the snappiness of the sound. He custom slotted it for my preferred string sizes. It really is a work of art. These things are always subjective, but I have to say it adds a little spark to the sound of my old Vega. As always, it was a pleasure communicating with him about my preferences, what he recommends based on experience, and so on. I'm quite pleased and will be back for another when the time comes.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Online from Bart
Bart answered my initial email quickly and arrived in the UK less than a week after ordering.
The 'mystery wood' clawhammer bridge has an excellent tone and I soon got used to the raised 5th string on my mahogany Sierra openback.
There is more clarity and seems to be a bit more sparkle to the sound than I had with the stock bridge.
Highly recommended!
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Directly from Bart Veerman
These are two legged bridges made from "mystery wood", one with an ebony top and one with a bloodwood top. They are both very bright sounding, the bridge with the bloodwood top is a little muddy on the 3rd and 4th strings, and seems to lose a little punch above the 17th fret. The ebony topped one is very uniform in volume and tone across all strings. The ones I tested were about 1.5 gm each, but I was surprised by the good bass presence. The tone is very bright and note separation is very good. I have not tried them in a jam setting, and have only tried them on 2 of my banjos, both flatheads, but the one has a 14 piece tonering made similiar to the old Epiphone Recording banjos. They are a little too piercing to my ear, but I wear hearing aids and have substantial hearing loss in the left ear, so am unsure how to describe these since what I hear is altered by the hearing aid programming. The bridges are nicely made, and if you like a bright sound, I think you might like them.
Overall Rating: 8
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