Jack Hatfield: Banjo Method (Books 1,2,3,4)

Submitted by NotABanjoYoda on 8/27/2023

Where Purchased: hatfieldmusic.com

Overall Comments

The method  intro said learn to play with no music backround whatsoever.  Tis is not true.  There is no explaination of basic music theory, picking, fingerpicking techniques or chords.  It is assumed you ow these things.

Luckily, I am an advanced guitar player and know the musical alphabet, chord theory etc  My wife did not and quit trying after page 19...unti I spent a week going over music and strumming basics with her.

Other than that, it is a decent set of banjo lessons.  I am enjoying it and learning a lot of insight that Pankey and Eli videos lack.  I recommend these metod books if you already kinda know the basics.

Overall Rating: 8

Gold Tone: OB3 Twanger

Submitted by NotABanjoYoda on 7/7/2023

Where Purchased: Private sale

Year Purchased: 2023
Price Paid: 1250 ($US) (bought USED)

Sound

My favorite banjo I ever played was a stelling staghorn. My second favorite was my Gibson RB Deluxe. The Twanger fits right in between. I dont think the Twanger sounds better than the Gibson, it sounds about the same, but the twanger has the perfect sized neck for my hands and thus Im able to play faster and more articulate with the Twanger. I would also say the Twanger sounds as good as any of the dozen or so prewar Gibsons I played. They did a great job copying the prewar sound.

Sound Rating: 8

Setup

The snuffy smith bridge came broken. I replaced it. I didnt have to change anything else. Doesnt stay in tune for weeks like my Gibson but does stay tuned for days.

Setup Rating: 8

Appearance

Finish on the outside liiks great but the rim looks sloppy. Almost like the whole rim was dipped in laquer. Lots of uneven running and dripping.

Appearance Rating: 5

Reliability

The instrument is built like a tank. It should last 100 years. Certainly outlive me. Tuners are very tight and accurate...just how I like them. All very high quality woods. Clearcoat seems easily scratched.

Reliability Rating: 9

Customer Service

N\A

Customer Service: 10

Components

The snuffy bridge doesnt seem any better or worse than the cheap grovers. The resonator is definitely the cheapo part of the banjo. Less wood and seems much more cheaply made than a Gibson...of course. I cant seem to get the resonator screws tight enough so i had to add washers to stop the rattling.

Components Rating: 7

Overall Comments

This is my go to banjo for practicing and gigs.  It is mainly because the neck is soo perfect to play.  There honestly is very little difference in sound with most bluegrass banjos that are high quality and set up and played right.  The exception is a Stelling Staghorn I played at gruhns which was almost too loud.  Not sure 8f all stellings are superior in brightness as Ive only played two.  But this twanger is as good as any.  Better than most.  But didnt blow my mind or anything existintial.

Overall Rating: 8