Mike Ditchavages' "Muzzle" submitted 1/7/2009 Submitter Pensnut (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Online Overall Comments I have tried the clothes pins on the bridge, stuff between the head and strings, even the dish towel behind the head. I finally broke down and bought a real mute. I got one from Mike Ditchavage right here from BHO and i couldn't be happier. Its like you actually turned down the volume, not the bad "plunk" you get from my other tries. I am very happy with this mute. Overall Rating 10

Mute Mike's Mute submitted 1/4/2009 Submitter casebeag (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Mike himself Overall Comments Here's the bottom line: I practiced yesterday while my two year old was taking a nap, and it still sounded like my banjo. If you love your practice time (and your family) get this thing. Overall Rating 10

Shubb capo submitted 1/4/2009 Submitter Jaunskots (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Ithaca Guitar Center Overall Comments This is a very nice capo, especially for necks that vary in thickness as you go up the neck. Just a little fiddly in that it really requires two hands to adjust the tension (the first time really, in my case), but if the neck doesn't get much thicker as you go up or if you mostly use it at the second fret to play in D or A as I do, it's one-handed from then on anyway. I like it a great deal and have no desire to buy anything else. As advertised, you can set the tension so the instrument stays in tune. There's no point in going back to elastic ones or trying to save a couple of bucks on a cheaper variation. Highly recommended. I gave it a 9 on the ground that perfection may appear later. Overall Rating 9

Neotech Super banjo strap submitted 1/4/2009 Submitter Jaunskots (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased H&R Music, New Glasgow Overall Comments Amazingly comfortable, and works as advertised. It doesn't look as elegant as leather, but I'm not going back. I'm planning to get one for each banjo. Apparent weight of a heavy banjo is reduced and a light banjo doesn't move around--a huge improvement on any strap I've ever tried. Attachment is simple and works well. Someone will have to go a long way to make anything that works better. Everybody who has either a heavy banjo or a light banjo that moves around should try one of these. It's almost a 10, except for the faint possibility of perfection in the future. Overall Rating 9

Ingles Ingles SA-20 instrument stand submitted 1/3/2009 Submitter Brian T (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Myhre's Music/Edmonton Overall Comments The Ingles SA-20 (Kaman Music Corp.) is a violin/viola stand that is excellent for a banjo. Powder-coated metal, the banjo sits on two padded and curved fingers. The adjustable, telescoping neck has a padded yoke for the banjo neck. The opening of the yoke is closed with a swinging gate with a positive closure. Very low center of graviity (quite hard to tip over, the feet are flat on the floor). The top telescoping section has a bow-hook which holds the banjo strap equally well. Instrument stand #5 for me, finally, one which works as I had always hoped. www.inglesproducts.com Overall Rating 8

Mike's Mute Mike's Mute submitted 1/2/2009 Submitter BenE (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Directly from the maker Overall Comments I just started learning Old Time banjo and my family has reached "bum-dit-ty" overload, so a good mute had to be found. Mike Stidd, a BanjoHangout member makes one called "Mike's Mute". His classified ad describes it very accurately. http://www.banjohangout.org/classifieds/detail.asp?cid=3113 It works really well and is very easy to put on and take off. It sure beats stuffing tissue paper under the strings, comes in a cute little draw-string storage bag and is a quality product. Overall Rating 10

Fults Cumberland Tailpiece Fults Cumberland T/P submitted 12/28/2008 Submitter robin jones (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Online Overall Comments It's fantastic. Period. I've never seen anything that was better made. Overall Rating 10

Guardian Hard Shell Case submitted 12/27/2008 Submitter kahuna (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Angies Banjos Overall Comments This is the FiberGlass Case. Smelled strong of glue, I mean really strong. I let air out for 2 days and it had disapated. The fit is pretty good for my banjo. Maybe a little more padding underneath the resonator, so that the neck isnt at such an angle. It seems the case construction is really good, I am really impressed with that. Overall Rating 7

Jerry Rabun Nerdgoggles Bridge submitted 12/26/2008 Submitter budbennett (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased directly from Jerry Overall Comments I contacted Jerry about building me a bridge for my Stealth. I didn't have any solid complaints about the bridge I had already, just vague dissatisfaction of how the banjo sounded in a big room or outside. I wanted more power and always felt the Stealth had more in there just itching to come out. I told Jerry what I wanted and gave him my measurement particulars ( I like a TALL bridge and the Stealth has odd string placement so it was a custom job for sure). When I got the bridge I put it on and right out of the box the tone and volume and power of my Stealth was increased. I notice much better note separation, much better volume and a tone that was a very nice surprise-crisp maybe is a word I would use for it. My Stealth now projects and the single string work I like to do sounds much better and the sustain I get for slow things is very much improved now. I will definitely be calling Jerry again for my bridge needs. Overall Rating 10

gold tone Ultimate Banjo Mute submitted 12/22/2008 Submitter John Burns (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Banjoteacher.com Overall Comments This mute is advertised as adjustable for all bridge widths; will not vibrate loose; fits four, five & six string banjos; does not hinder the right hand position; and is made of lacquered brass. So far as I can tell all of these claims are 100% correct. I have a cheap banjo with an aluminum tone ring. Under normal circumstances it sounds like playing a crosscut saw. This mute changes all of that. Now the sound actually sounds quite pleasant. Overall Rating 10

Matrix SR-1050 (chromatic tuner) submitted 12/21/2008 Submitter Banjo75 (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased The Music Place (North Reading, MA) Overall Comments This is a very easy to use chromatic tuner. Doesn't cost too much and it works just fine. Good small size to fit in your case and an easy to read display. Overall Rating 10

Mike's Mute Mike's Mute submitted 12/19/2008 Submitter rgire (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Direct from Mike Overall Comments Ordered on Tuesday, rec'd on Friday in the mail. Comes in a drawstring pouch. Very simple design of two parts: a flat brass bar that sits on top of the strings at the bridge, and an aluminum L-shaped bracket that slips through the holes in the bridge, and with the help of 2 nylon screws and 2 brass finger tightening nuts (I call them ball nuts as they are shaped like a ball to allow tightening with fingers)., holds the brass bar down tight on the strings. Very easy and simple to put on and take off. Takes about 5 seconds, on or off. The best, and most surprising, aspect is the tone with the mute on. The loudness is dampened by a factor of 10, but the tonal qualities are still there. Songs sound excellent. Great job Mike! I will buy another should I lose this one. Worth more than the $34 cost. Highly recommend it. Rich Overall Rating 10

Gold Tone Banjo Mute Gold Tone Banjo Mute submitted 12/17/2008 Submitter Jiminator (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Elderly Instruments Overall Comments This is the finest banjo mute on the market, bar none. It far surpasses any mute that sits on the bridge (which is a major picking hand interference) and attenuates the sound perfectly. My neighbors are appreciative as well. Since I started using the mute they have returned the courtesy of shooting at me using silencers on their .44 Magnums! Overall Rating 10

BanjoMate Thinline Armrest Thinline Armrest submitted 12/16/2008 Submitter shambles (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Little Mountain Music Overall Comments Good solid construction, easy to install and comfortable. I got the Ivory armrest to complement the ivoroid buttons and calfskin head and I'm very happy with the look and feel of it. Overall Rating 10

Dogwood Designs banjo strap Celtic Knot Design submitted 12/15/2008 Submitter kevin0461 (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Dogwood Designs Website Overall Comments Not only did Dave exceed my expectations with the design of my strap but he did it twice. I initially ordered a custom design on the "professional" model but Dave had sent the adjustable model instead. When I called and told him, he acknowledged the error and immediately sent another one within a couple days... no questions asked. I LOVE IT!!!! These straps are the best out there (and believe me, I have been searching for something of quality and with a personal touch). The personal service is great... Dave is an honest, nice guy and a true craftsman. I can only have the highest recommendations for this man and his products!! Overall Rating 10

Mike's Mute Mike's Mute submitted 12/13/2008 Submitter bbeoj (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased BHO / Paypal Overall Comments I'm a beginner and the only chance I get to practice is after my kids (6, 8, & 10) are in bed. Before the mute, I'd have an audience within 5 minutes of starting practice :) Now, they don't even hear me. And my wife doesn't cringe anymore when I say I'm going to practice... Mike's mute does what it says it does. You can check out the sound on my (beginner) recording of Joy To The World here on banjohangout.org Overall Rating 10

BanjoMate Thinline Armrest Thinline Armrest submitted 12/6/2008 Submitter gkuchan (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Little Mountain Music Overall Comments Was having a bear of a time finding a armrest to fit my Lee Chalk Mountain Banjo, (14 brackets and 3-inch deep pot)...took a gamble, figuring I could add it to the growing collection, and wouldn't you know it fits! Love that it's adjustable for both hook spacing, simple design, easy to use. Overall Rating 9

Atomic frailing pick submitted 12/2/2008 Submitter pinenut (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased janetdavismusic Overall Comments size medium. Finally no more fake glue on fingernails. No more bending and figiting a bluegrass pick to sort of work. This pick is the best for clawhammer. If you know of anything better or equal tell me. I love this pick even more nearly a year later. If I lost my pick and couldn't get another I might (choke) switch to three finger. Overall Rating 10

Emerson Banjo Bridges Power Bridge submitted 12/1/2008 Submitter banjos4ever (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased www.banjofever.com Overall Comments I own a Gibson RB-3. I've been sanding my bridges down for years to get good crisp tone and then giving up some bass for the trouble. Last weekend I received Kellys bridge. This bridge is fabulous in every way. My RB-3 rings with more sustain, it's crisp and clear with lots of treble but no loss of bass. I'm finding it hard to put my banjo down! I would not change this bridge in any way. I will order more of the same in the future. Overall Rating 10

Mike's Mute Mike's Mute submitted 11/23/2008 Submitter Gary Trusty (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased From Mike Overall Comments Excellent, I can actually practice at night with the kids in bed and not have to try "half plucking" the strings to keep the noise down. It changes the sound very little, but cuts the volume in half. I'm very pleased. Overall Rating 10

Mike's Mute Mike's Mute submitted 11/21/2008 Submitter Trashbanjo (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased From Mike Overall Comments Ive never bought a mute before so i dont know how others compare. I can say this mute does everything that Mike and others said it would.Easy to use,looks nice, and works excellent.I would guess it cuts volume by 2/3 but maintains quality tone and stays in tune. Great product and nice handmade storage pouch.Ordered on Monday,on my banjo Wednsday.Non banjo playing wife also loves it. Overall Rating 10

Shubb Sliding 5th-String Capo submitted 11/20/2008 Submitter John Greer (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Elderly Music, Sept 2008 Overall Comments I first used a capo like this on an older banjo of my uncles while I was first learning to play. I loved it then and I love it now. I installed it myself using the included instructions with no problems. It is quick and convienent to use. Overall Rating 10

BanjoMate Thinline Armrest Thinline Armrest submitted 11/20/2008 Submitter 5strbanjo (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased www.littlemountainmusic.com Overall Comments This is the ideal replacement for a Vega-style armrest, no matter how many bracket hooks a banjo has. More than a few regard the Vega-style armrest as uncomfortable and too high above the head. Any Deering Goodtime banjo, no matter which model, will benefit from this armrest. It's easy to install and reasonably priced. Overall Rating 10

Beaver King bridge 5/8" compensated submitted 11/17/2008 Submitter dredline (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased From Beaver King Overall Comments WOW, Tremendous improvement in sound. I have one on a maple and one on a mahogany. These bridges improved the volume,tone and color of both banjos. Overall Rating 10

Guardian Hard Shell Case submitted 11/17/2008 Submitter Banjo75 (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased Elderly.com Overall Comments This is a good, cheap no frills, utilitarian hard shell case that will protect your banjo. Overall Rating 7