Many folks have posted praises for the service from Banjo Ben’s General Store. Now it’s my turn.
We went to visit our daughter who works with Yosemite National Park. It’s in the middle of nowhere, inconvenient to everything. Before we went out, I hoped she could ask around if anyone had an old banjo in the attic or closet I could borrow during our stay. Much to my surprise, she found one!
It was a beginner’s open back Epiphone that has been a wall-hanger for several years. Who cares? It’s a banjo! I brought a new set of light gauge strings & proceeded to put them on. The last string I went to change was the wound D (4th) string. One small problem-the string was corroded into the ivoryoid notch of the Grover bridge. With a might tug I yanked the string…and broke the bridge!
Long story short, with credit card in hand & a phone call to Jake the next morning, I had a new bridge in short order. Now the banjo plays & sounds better than when I got it.
I deliberately didn’t mention how much it cost to overnight a $10 bridge to my remote location, but it was worth it. I simply had to atone for my mistake. Jake helped find a cheaper rate, but this bridge could be gold plated!
I’m sure Jake & the staff busted a gut laughing at my stooge-like antics. At least he had the courtesy to stifle it while we were on the phone.
But it is nice to know someone has your back where you go poking around in strange places.
