Bridges: Romero

Submitted by pjxndvm on 5/30/2015

Where Purchased: Direct from Jason

Overall Comments

I have been using Moon bridges and have been happy with them, but wondered about other bridges. I had a gourd banjo coming from Jason and I had him put in a 11/16" bridge just so I could try it out. All my banjos have Stearn calfskin heads I either get from John Balch or Bob Smakula. After replacing the Moon bride with the Romero bridge, I noticed a considerable difference in tone. I am not good at describing tones, but it was much fuller and warmer to my ear. I'm going to try it on my other banjos and if the sound difference  is still very noticeable, I am going to replace them all with Romero bridges. The bridges are thicker and fuller at the feet and body of the bridge. I do not know how the holes in the bridge affect tone, but overall, I really love the bridge. 

Overall Rating: 10

Chris Coole

Submitted by pjxndvm on 5/4/2015

Overall Comments

I attended clawhammer camp where Chris was teaching in April 2015. He gave a few call and response songs, measure by measure. The songs were great to learn. However, the best part was his going over the basics of motion and timing and rhythm. He broke it down into basics that could be grasped by a beginner. He also went over how to figure out a song that you have heard and how to figure it out by ear. Overall a great teacher and great classes with Chris. I would recommend them highly. 

Overall Rating: 10

Stephen Wade: Banjo Diary

Submitted by pjxndvm on 2/1/2015

Where Purchased: Elderly

Overall Comments

This is a wonderfully fresh listen every time I hear it. This is NOT a bluegrass cd with Scruggs or melodic banjo playing, so if that is what you are looking for, you won't find it here. This is a banjo recording that doesn't pigeon hole the playing into a typical style. The songs follow the melody. It is a very fresh sound. This Cd falls into the old time category music more than anything else. One of my top five favorites.

Overall Rating: 10

elderly Instruments

Submitted by pjxndvm on 6/25/2011

Overall Comments

I have been dealing with Elderly Instruments since the 1970's when I was stationed overseas. I ordered all my LPs and banjos and books from them. That was 1977. I came back to Michigan, went to MSU for 8 years and Elderly was only 5 minutes away. I have bought banjos from them, one Martin D28, and a Kentucky Mandolin and am looking at a Sullivan V35. To me, there is no other place to shop. Period. Despite getting larger, they have kept the personal touch alive and well. I hope as my business grows that I can do as good of a job as Stan has at keeping things personal, inviting and friendly. If I could rate them a 20, I would.

Overall Rating: 10

Gold Tone: White Ladye WL-250

Submitted by pjxndvm on 6/24/2011

Where Purchased: Elderly

Year Purchased: 2011
Price Paid: 742 ($US)

Sound

I bought this to start to learn clawhammer banjo. It sounds good, and so far I like everything about it. I bought it based on reviews here, and am not dissappointed. I will use it until I get a Chuck Lee at sometime in the future.

Sound Rating: 9

Setup

Set up is fine, I had a moon bridge put on. Medium. Heavy was out of stock.

Setup Rating: 9

Appearance

For a chinese banjo, it is finished very nice. I typically don't care to buy foreign goods, but I really couldn't justify spending the high dollar on a Chuck Lee to start with to see if clawhammer stuck with me like bluegrass banjo did.

Appearance Rating: 10

Reliability

I just got it last month, but it seems as though it is sturdy enough to last. Only time will tell.

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

Have not had to deal with the company.

Customer Service: 10

Components

Components seem quality. Time will tell.

Components Rating: 9

Overall Comments

For me, this is a nice starter banjo for clawhammer that is a lot nicer than the $350 model. So, it won't have to upgrade as much to a nicer banjo.

Overall Rating: 10

Liberty Banjo Co.: Quadrille

Submitted by pjxndvm on 6/23/2011

Where Purchased: Don Rusnak, Vintage Music, Arlington VA

Year Purchased: 1980
Price Paid: 1300 ($US)

Sound

Suits bluegrass playing very well. The tone is clear, not too bright, not too dull. This is really the only nice instrument I have ever owned, so I don't really have an ear to compare it with anything else. It absolutely sounds great. I will give it a 9 rating, only because I don't know if I have ever heard a 10... well Snuffy Jenkins RB-4 would be a 10.

Sound Rating: 9

Setup

Banjo setup was perfect. Don set it up I guess. I have not made any changes to it. It has been sitting in a case for the past 20 years and now that the kids are older, I am starting to play it again.

Setup Rating: 10

Appearance

I think is is mahogany, dark finish. No imperfections in the wood. The hardware is getting a bit oxidized now. It looks great for being 31 years old.

Appearance Rating: 10

Reliability

Hardware has lasted well, finish still as nice as when I bought it.

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

Have not dealt with Liberty Banjo because they are not around anymore. No warranty issues at all.

Customer Service: 10

Components

Components are all first class as far as I can tell.

Components Rating: 10

Overall Comments

This was my first nice banjo after I learned on a Saga. I wanted to get a Gibson, but was talked out of it by Don Rusnak. He said the Liberty was a much better quality banjo, so I followed his advice and have not been sorry.

Overall Rating: 10