Capos: Paige clik capo

Submitted by banjotef on 4/21/2010

Where Purchased: FQMS

Overall Comments

This is a nice improvement for the Paige capo. You just push a button, and the screw slides quickly to clamp the neck. Saves a lot of fumbling and time to move the capo off of the horn at the nut, and to the fret of your choice. Very nice, and well worth the price.

Overall Rating: 10

Gibson: Earl Scruggs Standard

Submitted by banjotef on 8/4/2007

Where Purchased: Used

Year Purchased: 2007
Price Paid: 2500 ($US) (bought USED)

Sound

Fits Scruggs style well, of course, but also very clear on celtic and melodic styles. Great smooth tone and sustain. Intonation very true all the way up and down the neck. It keeps great sound and tone with a capo. The best feature is the separation of notes, has that little "tick' you hear with each strike of the string that the pros get. The volume allows you to play quieter without becoming muffled, and allows expression of the phrase. Perfect fifth intervals, such as the first and third strings, sound razor sharp! Also very sharp and penetrating when striking the first and fifth. Good growl on the fourth, and great pop and snap with pull-offs and hammer-ons!

Sound Rating: 10

Setup

It had a little fret wear, was actually made in 2000. Also had a buzz on the third string on second and third frets. Took it to FQMS and they put a little bow in the neck, filed a few frets and adjusted the coordinator rods. It plays like a grand piano now! Flawless! I would like the strings a little lower, though.

Setup Rating: 10

Appearance

Nice select curly maple on the neck and resonator, nice dark to medium red/brown color. The nickel polished out real well. The most striking feature is the colors in the mother-of-pearl hearts and flowers on the neck. The ebony fingerboard gives it a nice formal look, also is a great contrast to the inlays.
Double-cut peghead gives it that great classic Gibson look. Has Earl's signature on the label inside the rim. The curly/flame figure on the resonator with the finish makes the grain look a mile deep!

Appearance Rating: 10

Reliability

The tuning pegs work great, also came with factory Keith D-tuners, but the third string tuner is missing the black knob. Trying to get in touch with Bill Keith to get a replacement. The D-tuners work best when the screws are finger-tight.

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

The folks at FQMS were top-notch, as always! Very reasonable rate for the setup work, also bought a new strap and tuner while I was there.

Customer Service: 10

Components

I really like the satin type finish on the nickel, as opposed to high gloss on a chrome finish. Tuning knobs look great, wonderful color on the neck and peghead inlays.

Components Rating: 10

Overall Comments

Got a great price on the banjo, the seller and I were both very agreeable.
If this banjo was ever stolen, the guy better hope I never find him.

Overall Rating: 10