Yates: Custom

Submitted by 1961brd on 5/1/2019

Where Purchased: Mr. Warren Yates

Year Purchased: 2019
Price Paid: MSRP ($US)

Sound

Prewar
Full, strong and balanced

Sound Rating: 10

Setup

Received my new banjo set-up, strung-up and playable right out of the box.
The 3rd string was at about an F# but I DID NOT call the Better Business Bureau.

Setup Rating: 10

Appearance

Beautifully, masterfully crafted.
All hardware aged by Mr. Yates to time period (early 1930's ?)

Appearance Rating: 10

Reliability

I'm kind of old now, but if my parents would have bought this for me when I was young, I'd be able to pass it on to my great grand kids.

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

Mr. Warren Yates is the most reliable, trustworthy, honest (and funny) guy I've EVER done business with.
And I'm not talking about just "banjo business".

Customer Service: 10

Components

Hard to pick just one standout thing about my new banjo...ITS A YATES!

Components Rating: 10

Overall Comments

To any readers that took the time to read this post, if your saving your money to purchase that one, new, beautiful, five string banjo that has the power of a Howitzer, you REALLY need to call Mr. Warren Yates. Nine and a half times out of ten, he even answers the phone and makes himself available. You will NOT be disappointed!

Overall Rating: 10

1961brd

Submitted by 1961brd on 6/25/2016

Overall Comments

I know this is a late review post, but just wanted to give credit where credit is due. Several months ago , I had David Cunningham work on both of my Deering banjos: A Maple Blosum and a Classic Goodtime Special. I love those banjos...DUH! David worked on both of them at different times and was very efficient to get my instruments sounding their best, but did not take forever to get my banjos back to me. He took them both apart and tweeked them. He put a 2nd (additional) coordinator rod in my Goodtime Special which made a huge sound AND structural difference. I also bought 2 of his super dense wood/bulletproof 5/8" bridges that he produces. I am super stoked with what a superior job he did. If any pickers in the greater St. Louis - St. Charles, Missouri area need a fine luthier...look no further than Mr. Cunningham.   Cheers!

Overall Rating: 10

Mike's Banjo Mute: 5-string Standard Model

Submitted by 1961brd on 4/30/2016

Where Purchased: on-line

Overall Comments

Just ordered AND received immediate confirmation on shipping for my new Mike's Banjo Mute. This is actually my second one since my other stays at home and this new one will be stashed in the camper trailer. I love this mute. The materials, the engineering, the finished product and the ultimate performance of this mute is far superior to other mutes I've used in the past. I use David Cunningham's zebra wood bridges and they are a tad beefier than basic maple bridges. On these beefed up bridges, those other cylinder type, metal tube mutes won't fit. But Mike's mutes work differently so they can be used perfectly for fat-footed bridges. They definitely reduce my banjo's volume by probably around 50%...no kidding!

 

 

Overall Rating: 10