Bridges: Buckeye Banjos Solid Foot Bridge

Submitted by BasicBoston on 11/25/2014

Where Purchased: buckeye banjos

Overall Comments

 I bought this bridge after reading an article in BNL. After installing the bridge on my Recording King RK25, the bridge brighten the banjo up enough to move it up a couple of spaces in my herd of banjos. The bridge is certainly worth the money that Greg is asking for it. 

Overall Rating: 9

Ome: Otis Taylor Signature Model

Submitted by BasicBoston on 12/31/2010

Where Purchased: Elderly Instruments

Year Purchased: 2010
Price Paid: 2300 ($US)

Sound

I tried 9 different open backed banjos from different banjo companys, includeing Deering, Chuck Lee, Wildwood and others. They all were to tinny, brassy, loud, wasn't confortable to play, to cheap, to expensive, or wasn't worth the money. The OME was the only one to raise to the suface and sound and play exactly like I wanted and expected. They say that your banjo will find you and this one surely did. It was definately worth the trip to try out the banjo's because from what I read, the Chuck Lee was the one to buy. It couldn't hold a candle to this OME, this banjo rings and has such a pleasing sound, I still can't believe it.

Sound Rating: 10

Setup

The banjo was set up fine. It has a Snuffty Smith bridge and sounded good as soon as I picked it up. The only faulty I have with the banjo and the company, is they predrilled two holes in the rim for their brand of arm rest and of course it has to be their wooden arm rest at $75 dollars. Not at all happy with this arrangement.

Setup Rating: 8

Appearance

The stained maple finish on this banjo is first class as you might expect for a banjo of this calibre. The fret board and inlays are just what I wanted. Tastefully done and not ornate in any way.

Appearance Rating: 10

Reliability

This instrument is head and shoulders above any of the banjos I tried for workmenship and hardware.

Reliability Rating: 9

Customer Service

The warranty is limited life time, I did try contacting the company by phone and email about this arm rest issue and wasn't impressed. Never did call, and got back to me two days later with email.

Customer Service: 8

Components

I have absolute nothing that I'll need to part out or change. I wanted to horse around with different bridges but the thing rings so true and crisp I hate to monkey with it, maybe later.

Components Rating: 10

Overall Comments

Except for the arm rest issue, I don't think I could have found a better banjo for me as regards to sound quality, ring, sustain, and tone.

Overall Rating: 10

Wayne Erbsen: Clawhammer Banjo for the Complete Ignoramus

Submitted by BasicBoston on 9/30/2010

Where Purchased: Ebay

Overall Comments

I found a book that us musically challenged banjo pickers can use. It is written for clawhammer in tab and shows learics and melody. The CD that accompanys the book goes through the basic old time clawhammer style banjo picking for the songs in the book and is very informative and doesn't try to snow you under This is the first book in along time that I think is worth the money

Overall Rating: 9

Bridges: Fielding A1

Submitted by BasicBoston on 9/16/2010

Where Purchased: Elderly

Overall Comments

I just finished testing 6 different bridges on my new bellflower, Red Dot, Sosebee, Grover, Snufty Smith, Lamson, and Fielding. To my amazement, truly expecting the Snufty to raise to the top. I found that the Fielding bridge out performed all of them. Not by just a little but by a large margin, it was like flipping on a switch. The reason for choosing the Fielding in the first place was it's design. Five resonator holes in the bridge. Pointed on one side and curved on the other. Remember pointy side down according to Will. You really got to try this bridge.

Overall Rating: 10

Digital Tuners: SNARK bano tuner

Submitted by BasicBoston on 9/12/2010

Where Purchased: Elderly Brothers

Overall Comments

This tuner works on mandalins and guitars. A slick,fun way to tune your instrument

Overall Rating: 9