Submitted by Pickin furry paws (see all reviews from this person) on 11/3/2011

Where Purchased: Received with banjo

Overall Comments

The Prucha flange is one of the better flanges on the market. While mine came installed on the banjo, blanks can be purchased in both plated and unplated versions: these are ready for final trimming for new rims.

The quality of the metal is very nice. There are no problems with the pot metal itself, and is overall very smooth and even in finish and texture.

It holds its shape moderately well. Obviously, pot metal is prone to "pulling up" and this does happen over ensuing years of use.

My only gripe with the flange is probably the design of the holes through which the bracket hooks pass. Mr. Prucha decided to make a little "design modification" to the prewar spec flange by widening the diameter of the hole area; in other words, the diameter of the 24 holes in the flange (not the individual holes themselves, mind) is slightly wider than on most prewar flanges. The result is holes that are slightly farther from the rim than on the old Gibson banjos. Mr. Prucha did this so that when the hooks are under tension, they lie perfectly perpendicular to the pot - a cosmetic feature for sure, but one that is not a prewar spec. By contrast, the best prewar flanges from the 30s show the holes to be closer to the rim, creating a very slight inward angle of the hooks. While this is a bit visually jarring, it was done deliberately to lessen the chance of flange warpage.

Because of this purely cosmetic design feature, the flange requires a very careful seating, so that it contacts properly and tightly around the rim. An excellent fit will lessen the pulling up but not eliminate it.

On the other hand, this is a fairly minor gripe. Since most flanges today are fitted by competent luthiers, there is little chance of premature flange failure. And since most flanges are designed in this way by most makers, it is a common practice and in no way characterizes only Prucha.

I recommend this flange, especially the plated versions, which are suberb. If it is given a properly snug, full-contact fit, the flange should give years of satisfaction with only slight pulling-up.

Overall Rating: 8