Hi all,
Thanks to Don Bryant,(Hangout name bryantde) I have a new banjo. Well technically not new, I have had it several years, but it now sounds like a new one to me and a very good sounding one at that. I have a Goldstar GF100W and had a different rim put in, but in the end wasn't really happy with how it sounded. Because of that I really didn't play it very much.
After talking to a couple people I decided to put the original Goldstar rim put back in and possibly sell it. I could have probably gotten it apart but knew I wouldn't be able to get back together correctly. Eric Ellis told me Don could do it and do it right and he certainly did.
The tone ring fit fine except where the rim and ring meet on the inside of the rim. Metal was not touching wood tight enough. Don had Chris Bryant put the rim on a lathe and cut it down just a hair, put everything back together, new head and strings, dressed the frets a little, set it up properly and it altogether sounds like a new banjo. I could't be happier with it..
Don was very accomodating, friendly, did great work with very reasonable prices. I have no problem with recommending him for any banjo work and would use his services again should I need them. Thanks again Don, I really appreciate it.
Kevin
P.S. I will certainly be playing it more now since I won't be selling it.