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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!
7228 reviews in the archive.
I had been searching for a luthier to do some work on my banjo. Main focus was the neck. I had a custom neck built several years ago and felt like some fine tuning still needed to be done. The biggest issue was in fretting the fifth string with my thumb at the 7th and 9th fret.
Somewhere along the way I came across John Boulding. I knew of him from the Lick of the Week videos he has shared here and elsewhere. We got in touch and I paid him a visit up in Mt. Airy, NC.
He and I talked for a couple of hours and he made some recommendations. Eventually he did some re-shaping of the neck and reduced the profile slightly. He also made some very astute observations about the action of the 5th string in particular and the overall neck alignment and action.
Other items were take into consideration as well. John dis-assembled the pot, cleaned all the parts and check the fit of the tone ring to the rim.
He also helped complete some details to my speed neck finish. Dressed the frets and oiled the fingerboard.
I just could not be happier. John is an excellent craftsmen and super knowledgeable about banjo anatomy. As a professional banjo player he totally understands the big picture with these instruments and has the skills to get the job done.
I give John the highest rating. He is a good listener and is very easy going. The pricing was incredible too!!
If anyone would like to ask me more about my experience you are free to contact me via email - stevedyr@gmail.com
Setup, repair, custom work ... John has earned my business. If you need work done I highly recommend him.
Overall Rating: 10