We prefer a product called NEVR-DULL. It is cotton wadding, which has a cleaning agent soaked in it. It requires a bit of elbow grease and it will not restore worn nickel, as it is only a cleaner. But, it does a very nice job.

We do not recommend the truss rod be adjusted except by a professional repairperson. It is easy to over tighten the rod and twist off the driver nut. This will void the neck warranty.

The bridge location is usually the cause of intonation problems. To set it, measure from the inside of the top nut to the middle of the 12th fret and double this number. This is called the scale length. Put the bridge in this location. You will be very close to the correct position, but some additional adjustment toward the tailpiece of about 1/32” may have to be made.

Look closely at the bridge and if it is sagging into the head, it will help the sound if you tighten the head a bit.

Remove the resonator, select the proper size “T” wrench and tighten each bracket nut approximately ¼ turn. Check the bridge for sagging and listen to the sound. Repeat this process until the bridge sits flat or the sound suits your playing style. The tighter the head, the sharper the sound will be. As far as changing the head, there is no reason to change it unless it has broken, or it just looks so bad that you can’t stand it.

In our opinion, the Cryogenic process artificially ages the metal in the tone ring so that you don’t have to wait 50 years for that old sound.

If the tailpiece is working properly, there is no need to change it unless you wish to have a different look. As for the adjustable tailpiece, they have a thumbscrew on the back and the tailpiece can be moved up or down to change the pressure on the strings. As a rule, just enough pressure to keep the bridge in place will suit most players.

The new two-hump is one of the most rare and functional tailpieces ever made. Grover made these in the 1930’s and we believe that they work better than any other tailpiece available.

The Pancake tuners are the smoothest in the industry and have the look and shape of the original Grovers.

Strings are a personal preference. I suggest that you try several sets and make your determination from there.

Yes, we list them as Presentation models. This status is reserved for the finest quality of necks and resonators.  The hardware isusually engraved, and may be gold, nickel, or even copper plated. Finish colors can vary from model to model and with the combination of all of the above, this makes for an extraordinarily elegant banjo.

There is no up-charge for a left-handed model. They will usually take about four weeks longer, as we sometimes have to get the fingerboards especially made.

It is possible to get special colors, however we like to use the Sullivan inlay pattern. This will be considered a custom model and will require a 50% deposit to begin construction.