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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!
7211 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: Arthur Hatfield
Year Purchased: 2007
Price Paid: Don't Remember
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This is a new instrument - completed only in the very recent past. The sound is excellent as is, but I am sure will settle in nicely for a mahogany, 20 hole flat head Hatfield sound. The sound is also very full both up and down the neck.
Sound Rating: 10
Set up was excellent! It is very easy to play for both bluegrass and clawhammer. The action is set for a .656 bridge so I can lower if I want to use a 5/8 and raise if I want to use 11/16 bridges.
Setup Rating: 10
Fit, finish, and detail is everything one would expect coming from Arthur. What else can one say? This is a beautiful instrument.
Appearance Rating: 10
With a Hatfiled, one gets only the top drawer of components. I expect no issues there and I would not hesitate to use this as a main "gig axe."
Reliability Rating: 10
Of course, Arthur and Bev both care more about the product and the customer than any business that I think I have ever dealt with...I am sure that if there is an issue, Arthur will go the longest mile to make sure it is resolved.
Customer Service: 10
Standout components? Everything...great mahogany neck wood and beautiful resonator, top drawer components including hardware, bridge, tuners - no weak or cheap parts to upgrade. Finish and fit are flawless.
Components Rating: 10
Overall Rating: 10