Amber Catlin Tuning Buttons: Amber Tuning Buttons

Submitted by David Wadsworth on 5/1/2018

Where Purchased: Ron Barnes

Overall Comments

Sent Ron a keystone button from 1941 set of Kluson tuners.  He matched it perfectly and installed the replicas on a set of old Grover "pancake" tuners, a set of Keith tuners and a Schaller fifth.  Great work as always.  I'm a repeat customer and don't know of anyone else who does what Ron does with custom tuner buttons.  I can't imagine anyone else doing a better job than Ron.  He's truly in a class by himself in terms of quality product and speedy delivery.

Overall Rating: 10

Don Bryant

Submitted by David Wadsworth on 1/23/2016

Overall Comments

The neck Don made for my SSStewart TB-11 style banjo looks like it came out of the Gibson factory in Kalamazoo in the 1930s.  It looks, feels and plays great.  It is always a pleasure to deal with Don, an elite luthier and a great person.

Overall Rating: 10

Sullivan: Sullivan Roasted Maple Festival

Submitted by David Wadsworth on 1/13/2015

Where Purchased: First Quality Muaic

Year Purchased: 2014
Price Paid: List is around $2300 ($US)

Sound

The sound is wonderful and unique: loud and rich, powerful and toneful on every fret. Sounds like no other new banjo I've owned or played.

Sound Rating: 10

Setup

Eric had the banjo set up very well. I substituted one of my roasted maple bridges that was just a few tenths of a gram heavier than the Sullivan roasted bridge that came on the banjo. I did this only because my ears are tuned to my bridges.

Setup Rating: 9

Appearance

Flawless high gloss finish on the resonator. The neck has a speed finish that feels smoothe as the shaft of a billiards/pool cue stick. Curl in both neck and resonator is tight and very attractive

Appearance Rating: 10

Reliability

Hardware seems to be of very good quality. Finish has no stain just lacquer to let the rich light brown beauty of roasted maple shine through. I would play this banjo anywhere without a back up.

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

Eric and Jeff got their customer service credentials from their late dad, Bill. They certainly treated me right as I believe they would treat others.

Customer Service: 10

Components

At the price point for the banjo the parts are as good as can be expected. I found nothing weak or cheap about it.

Components Rating: 10

Overall Comments

I have not played a new banjo with better fit and finish, better wood components or a better feeling neck.  The sound is something special.  The best way I know how to approach describing it is to say this.  If you like what a roasted maple bridge does for the sound of the new or old banjo you play every day, I believe you will absolutely love the sound of a Sullivan Roasted Maple Festival.  I certainly do love the sound of mine.  It has rich, tone full, old/mature type sound with power to spare. 

When I first heard about the roasted maple concept I was skeptical, thinking it was just the latest fad or hype.  I was curious enough to purchase some roasted maple and make some bridges, which impressed me.  I had some conversations with Eric about the effects of roasting on wood and asked if he'd considered making a complete banjo of roasted maple.  Of course he was toying with that idea.  Maybe a year later Eric invited me and I'm sure others to come to the shop to play a roasted maple prototype banjo.  When I played it, I ordered one on the spot.  Having played mine nearly every day for a few months now I am even more impressed.  I believe Eric and Jeff have an outstanding instrument in this new roasted maple banjo.
 

Overall Rating: 10

Tone Rings: Bryant Skirtless Ring

Submitted by David Wadsworth on 11/23/2014

Where Purchased: Don Bryant

Overall Comments

Don has a fine new ring design!  His goal was to take humidity out of the equation to get consistent sound regardless of the weather.  Mission accomplished. Don's rings are top shelf.  Sound is nearly impossible to describe with words.  All I can suggest is that you visit Don's shop and test drive this ring.  If you like the characteristics of Gibson flatheads from the golden era you will appreciate Don's ring.  You won't pay for hype. If the shirtless ring doesn't ring your bell you can always have your rim turned for a full skirt ring.  I seriously doubt you would even consider doing that once you hear and feel Don's ring.

Overall Rating: 10

Tone Rings: Don Bryant Skirtless Tone Ring

Submitted by David Wadsworth on 10/28/2013

Where Purchased: Don Bryant

Overall Comments

I recently had Don Bryant fit one of his "Skirt-less" tone rings to a pre war shoe-bracket maple rim.   After having the rim turned for the tone ring, flange and drilled for co-rods Don finished the bare wood (from the turning) to perfection.

Then I sent Don a neck to fit to that re-purposed pot.  He did a super job, the neck fits the pot like a glove!  I had never had Don do banjo work for me before but I certainly would have him do work in the future.  He is a stand up guy, honest, amiable, attentive to detail and he wants the customer to be satisfied with everything that comes out of his shop.  I certainly am more than satisfied and can't say enough good things about Don and his work.

I tried Don's "skirt-less" tone ring on a whim.  I heard the sound samples here on BHO and the whole "skirt-less" concept made sense to me.  As a bridge maker I know how wood expands and contracts with the moisture content or humidity in the air around it.  In humid weather a banjo that sounded great when the humidity was low can sound different enough to make me want to tweak with the set up.  That is often a big mistake!  Don's skirt-less ring minimizes the change in banjo sound during times of high humidity.  So I believe his concept works as advertised.

In my opinion the sound of the "skirt-less" tone ring is top shelf all the way.  I have tried way too many aftermarket tone rings across the last thirty plus years.  Don's ring equals or exceeds the very best of the very best.  It has "it,"  like the sound of firecrackers going off under a #10 washtub, the clank, the clang, the after note sparkle, whatever you want to call "it" of the best old flathead banjos.  Simply put Don's ring and workmanship provide what I want to hear in a banjo. 

As a result of this transaction I not only got a "great, old sounding banjo" I also made a new friend in the process!

Overall Rating: 10