Pat Kelleher (Cork, Ireland) plays a tune on his new open back Clareen frailing banjo.

Customer Letters

Here Are Just A Few Comments We Have Received From Some Satisfied Customers.

Hi!
I got the banjo, the case got a bit beaten up in transport but inside everything's OK! Papers were fine, had no problems.

I didn't have time to tune it properly or set the bridge accurately yet (I'm at work), but I played a few tunes in the car anyway, it's absolutely FANTASTIC. How you get strings so thin and sound so defined I will never understand. It plays like butter and the sound is this real lovely banjo sound I heard from top players. Today is one of the best days of my life, I felt this way just twice, on returning home from army duty and in the church at my wedding, pure euphoria and joy of life. I thank you for that!

I would also like to thank both of you for great service well beyond my expectations and I apologize if I bothered you too often. If you or any of your family plans a vacation over here some time I'll be glad to show you around or at least take you out to a nice dinner. Summertime at the coast is great. If I ever get in Ireland again I'll make sure to visit your shop and thank you in person.

All the best,
Damir Ban, Croatia, proud owner of Clareen Special #533
21st Apr 2010

Hi Tom,
Willie McSweeney here from Cobh just to say that I'm seriously happy with the Oyster I bought from you last month.  I'm really enjoying playing it!  Thanks again for help and attention you gave on the day!
25/03/2010

Dear Tom Cussen

I have just received "The Bridge" yesterday and as a beginner I would like to thank you for providing such a great service.
I am eager to learn how to play banjo well even if it will take some time.

So thank you again. And keep up the good work.

Edouard from France.  26/03/2010

A few more recent email comments; Nov 07

Richard Schiller   USA......... 16/11/07

Tom,
I got it tuned last night. It is fantastic. The tone is great and I love those tuners – so smooth.
The case was intact and didn’t look as if it had been opened
 My son-in-law plays a 5-string Banjo so he and I and some of my fiddle and mandolin friends are to get together this weekend to do some pick’in.
 
All is well here.
 
Thanks again.
 
Rich.

Paul Jutkiewicz....... England     4/11/07

Tom. I often wondered how you fit everything into a day including responding to worldwide emails. Thanks so much for producing such brilliant banjos. I have a few jealous friends now! You've revolutionised my playing (and my pride). The Elite really lives up to its name. I've had so many complements. Its just amazing.
 
Look forward to meeting up one day and having some tunes.
 
All the best
Paul.

Gilbert Vautrin----France 14/11/07

  I have received the banjo yesterday afternoon.
It is very beautiful and the sound, the tone, the resonance are exactly like I dreamed.I am very very happy and I thank you very much for all. Next summer I will go to Eire and if I can I hope to meet you.
Regards
Gilbert

WOW! We Received the Banjo this morning at 10:00. Now that's prompt delivery service! It is a very beautiful instrument.Thank you so very much for your great workmanship and willingness to get it here on time.

Barb Houg.
USA


Kevin Scott.
UK

Just had to drop you a wee thanks for the banjo, which is just great. The tone, the resonance and workmanship - the whole thing - it is just what I wanted.Thanks very much you have done a lovely job.

Tim Jones
Scotland.

The banjo arrived today. It is a beautiful instrument with a gorgeous sound and so easy to play. I am very pleased with my bargain. I am so pleased that I am considering buying one of your mandolas.

Harry Lindahl.
Finland.

Dear Tom, Just a quick note to tell you just how pleased I am with the new Tenor banjo you made for me. It is no exaggeration to tell you its sound is well beyond my expectations, and it is one of the easiest of instruments, i.e. action etc I have ever played. The tone is just perfect for that cutting, ringing sound I so enjoy in the type of jazz that I have been addicted to for much longer than I'd care to admit.Suffice to say that our trumpet player, who is not the most observant of listeners if anything lacking a vast amount of intonation, came up to me after the first gig with the instrument to comment on the beautiful tone I'd been able to achieve. And, of course, I had to admit that it was without doubt almost entirely due to your superb, fine craftsmanship. It is an honour to possess such a fine instrument, and I feel that I will never be able to live up to its potential.......that does not of course mean that I wont be trying real hard. Needless to say the instrument speaks for itself and I am so pleased with it. If you are ever going to come over please let me know and I'll try to meet up with you. It really would be lovely to meet you. In the meantime thank you once again for you skills and I wish you and your family a belated happy new year, With very best wishes ,
Dr. Michael Mills