Chris Cioffi

Submitted by rrager on 11/1/2012

Overall Comments

Simply The Best
I think there might even be a song entitled Simply The Best. I’ve always wondered how would anybody ever knows who is the best at whatever. There is no way, as an example, that you would ever even be able to sample all the different Chili recipes to know which one is the best or to know who is the best mechanic in the world or who knows the most about American History and so on. However I think I may have found a person who knows more about banjos than anyone else. Now that’s a profound statement and I realize that. How would I know if he is the best in the world, I don’t even know all the banjo experts in the world. You remember the old adage though, if it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck it’s probably a duck. Well that’s kinda where I am with this. Chris Cioffi in my opinion is Simply The Best when it comes to banjos. He not only knows the history behind the banjo better than anybody I have ever talked to, he also knows all the intricate details that are involved in making a banjo sound the way a banjo was supposed to sound. Oh, I forgot to mention that he is also one of the best banjo players I have ever heard. Wow that’s a lot to swallow. I met Chris about 7 years ago when I started taking banjo lessons from him. He and I kinda hit it off and not only was I taking lesson from him but he would occasionally play a gig with me. I always enjoyed playing when Chris was on the banjo. Long story short Chris built me a banjo that is Simply The Best. I have been to the Ryman, Station Inn and so on and have listened to all the great pickers and so far I wouldn’t trade the way my banjo sounds and plays for anything I have heard. This banjo is amazing. I have took it to really good pickers and have let them play it just to get feedback and to watch their facial expressions as they play this Chris Cioffi made banjo. It’s always the same: Where did you get this, This thing is unbelievable, If you ever want to sell this banjo, and so on. When I have played other banjo’s since I have owned this one it’s not the same. I have even looked down to make sure that the mute wasn’t left on the banjo I was playing. That’s the truth!! If you want the best, in my opinion, look no further than this guy. He can take your banjo and turn it into the best that it can be. It’s like taking your car to the garage and putting it on the machine that identifies the problem. Chris is the guy that can listen to your banjo and he is the machine that knows exactly what it takes to turn your banjo into the best banjo that it can be. I got lucky, he actually built me one. If you are disappointed and are wondering if your banjo is set up exactly right to get the most out of it. Look no further, this is your guy. Oh and if you are lucky enough to talk him into building you one from the ground up you will be writing a review like me. I have never written a letter of recommendation before for anybody but I felt strong enough about this to let you know about this amazing Luthier.


Rocky Rager
Elkton, Ky.

Overall Rating: 10