Comment by thereallyniceman on September 15, 2012 at 19:29

That is one great banjo. I have a CE Woodhoop Special which is a bit later than yours. Mine has a maple neck and hoop with rosewood fretboard. I picked up a rosewood armrest on BHO and play mine all the time as my "upstairs banjo". My "downstairs banjo" is a CE Special XX which seems about the same vintage as yours and has the same tailpiece.  I don't really like ebony capped bridges with nylon strings on my Specials as it seems to muffle the tone.

I fitted a Remo Renaissance and it really does sound nice, but I guess that your vellum MUST be  retained!

How's about a tune on it for us ????

Comment by Dave Houle on September 15, 2012 at 19:58

Thanks Ian!

Actually, a few of your videos where you played your Wood Hoop were partly an inspiration to purchase this banjo. The photos are kind, this one isn't in the great condition yours is, but I'm quite pleased with it and I've never played a banjo with such sustain.


I love the beautiful punchy sound you get from yours. Of course, much of this is probably from good technique and playing. Before I bought it, it had metal strings, but I asked them to string it with heavy nylons, but he only had light gauge Aquilas. Changing the head is probably too much for me right now, but I'll look into a different kind of bridge and eventually will change the strings to Chris Sands heavies. 


I'm poor playing by myself and even worse playing in front of people and cameras, but it's a goal I'm work on.

What would you recommend that commercially available for a bridge?

Comment by Mike Moss on September 15, 2012 at 20:12

Nice banjo! I'd recommend a Morley bridge from the (new) Clifford Essex co. It's cheap and gives an amazingly good and authentic tone.

Comment by Dave Houle on September 15, 2012 at 20:17

Thanks Mike. I'll get one the next time I order from there.

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