jwgreene01 - Posted - 01/28/2011:  09:15:45

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I would like to get more recent reviews/impression from folks that have a Prucha or have played a Prucha. How does it compare to similar high end banjos like Huber, Stelling, Gibson or Deering.

They are pricey, how is playability, tone, craftsmanship, appearance, durability etc....are they worth the money? I am becoming a little fixated on Prucha. I would appreciate your honest opinion.

BobbyE - Posted - 01/28/2011:  09:38:55

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Did you check out the reviews here on the HO? By all acounts of what I have heard they are good banjos. Not had the chance to play or hear one in person here in Africa though.

Bobby

jwgreene01 - Posted - 01/28/2011:  09:50:57

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quote:

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Originally posted by BobbyE

Did you check out the reviews here on the HO? By all acounts of what I have heard they are good banjos. Not had the chance to play or hear one in person here in Africa though.

Bobby

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Hey Bobby, the reviews on BHO prucha appear to be several years old I was looking for more recent reviews/opinion. Thanks for your feedback.

John

BobbyE - Posted - 01/28/2011:  09:58:45

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John - You might see if the person who wrote the review is still a member of the HO and if so drop them a private message and ask for an update on their banjo. Most folks like to talk about their banjo so you might get an update on them. Especially if there is a particular model you got your eye on and there is a review of that in the reviews. Just a thought.

Also you can check the review writer to see if they might have posted a sound clip of their banjo on the HO. That can give you an idea of the way they might sound.

Bobby

lexo - Posted - 01/28/2011:  10:20:24

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quote:

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Originally posted by jwgreene01

I would like to get more recent reviews/impression from folks that have a Prucha or have played a Prucha. How does it compare to similar high end banjos like Huber, Stelling, Gibson or Deering.

They are pricey, how is playability, tone, craftsmanship, appearance, durability etc....are they worth the money? I am becoming a little fixated on Prucha. I would appreciate your honest opinion.

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Hi, try "pruchabanjos.cz". There are a lot of sound clips.

HARDROCK KID - Posted - 01/28/2011:  10:45:10

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quote:

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Originally posted by jwgreene01

I would like to get more recent reviews/impression from folks that have a Prucha or have played a Prucha. How does it compare to similar high end banjos like Huber, Stelling, Gibson or Deering.

They are pricey, how is playability, tone, craftsmanship, appearance, durability etc....are they worth the money? I am becoming a little fixated on Prucha. I would appreciate your honest opinion.

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Saltcreek, schwimbo, glsmi presently own and or have played Prucha banjos for references.

eagleisland - Posted - 01/28/2011:  11:31:42

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Pruchas are flat-out gorgeous banjos - gorgeous to the eye, to the ear, to the hand. IMO they're as good as any banjo built today - particularly when you get to the Diamond Point (and up) models.

They are NOT cheap (no great banjos are) and it would be a little hard to judge their value against other brands. Frankly, given the US dollar vs. Euro differentials these days, some of the upper end American builds are probably a better buy. But if you have your heart set, and you've got the dough, why not? You are highly unlikely to be disappointed. Call Greg Boyd - he's the man when it comes to Prucha instruments in the US (and a really good guy to boot).

dmiller - Posted - 01/28/2011:  11:36:18

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Stanger has a Prucha. I just now let him know of this thread.

MTBanjo - Posted - 01/28/2011:  12:15:19

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They're as good as banjos get. I have one, and would only (in my present mind set) sell it to buy a more expensive Prucha. In fact I've been thinking about it quite a bit lately....

He has masterclones, and his own design. Both are as good as it gets.

stanger - Posted - 01/28/2011:  12:53:29

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quote:

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Originally posted by jwgreene01

I would like to get more recent reviews/impression from folks that have a Prucha or have played a Prucha. How does it compare to similar high end banjos like Huber, Stelling, Gibson or Deering.

They are pricey, how is playability, tone, craftsmanship, appearance, durability etc....are they worth the money? I am becoming a little fixated on Prucha. I would appreciate your honest opinion.

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Hi, Bobby...
It's not hard to become fixated on the Prucha banjos. I was with Greg Boyd when we both saw one for the first time, back in 1996. I was completely knocked out by that first one, and they have only gotten better over the years since then.

I eventually met Jarda, and to know the guy is to understand his banjos. He's the most perfection-obsessed person I know in the business, and all the banjo makers are obsessed folks. I'll put it this way- he's a great friend, but I would hate to work for him! (and I've worked in the trade.)

Essentially, he builds 3 much different types of banjos. His Gibson clones, his original designs, and his openbacks. All of them sound and feel different, but each has equal craftsmanship. All his materials are the best that can be found, and he makes all the parts himself, or in conjunction with 2 other Czechs who also make banjos. What does not come out of his shop is made with his participation and supervision.

Of them all, I like his original resonated design banjos the best. They have a unique tone that is singularly deep, rich, and complex. The string-to-string balance in the tone is very even, and there is no drop-off at all in the highest notes as there often is in other brands- the very highest notes are as crisp and sparkly as they are on the lower frets. The bass has a lot of punch and growl.

His necks are supremely comfortable under the hand. It's very hard to put into words sensory details, but the first word that comes to my mind is 'silky'. They feel smooth, silky, and slick, not matter where you are playing. I have a lot of other good banjos, but my Prucha is the one I always use when I'm really into my playing- I sometimes play for 6 hours or more without a break, and the Prucha is my only banjo that lets me go that distance without hand fatigue.
In fact, the tone and playing ease tend to keep me going in those long sessions. I'll get hooked, and go on for hours more than I intended when I first begin.

I've owned my Diamond Point for 5 years now- I bought it in Feb. 2006- and even though I have played it for thousands of hours, I still enjoy the sensation of picking it up just as much as the first time.
Needless to say, I've worn the frets, but everything else remains just as it was when brand new.
The durability of this banjo is as good as it gets. While the flange is pot metal, which has proven to be problematic with the Gibson flange, Prucha designed his original flange to eliminate the problems he saw in the Gibson design; it is thicker, and has more cast reinforcement on the underside than the Gibson flange. This is true with the rest of the parts he makes- his tailpieces are similar to the old Grover and Kerschner designs, but everything on them is sturdier, stronger, and better detailed and finished than the old stuff.

It's very hard to compare any brand to another. While the Gibson prototype dominates banjo design these days, and Prucha's Gibson clones are very Gibson-esque, Pruchas show their Stelling influences in the originals. Jarda eventually came to the US, and spent some time with Stelling. His banjos sound much different from the Stelling, but Stellings also have a unique tone of their own.

Deering is the same- their clones sound a lot like a Gibson, but their original stuff has a characteristic sound of their own. Hubers are probably the closest copy of the old Gibsons of the bunch you mentioned.

They are all very good banjos. Any of them would totally satisfy any player. I chose the Prucha in part because I've been playing so long that I have developed my own set of preferences, and these days, I'm not at all interested in trying to sound like anyone other than me- I have never tried to imitate anyone else, even though I've stolen licks from almost every one I have ever listened to or played with.

Eagle Island, and a bunch of other members here have played my Prucha, and mine is not exceptional in any way to any of the other Pruchas I've played in it's feel and tone. I bought mine because I loved it's looks, and right from the first, I knew it had the other qualities that really appealed to me. If you decide to go for one, yours will be equally as good as mine- Prucha's consistency is as good as a human can do.

You can see and hear mine on my home page... as far as the appearance goes, I always get a kick out of the reactions it gets in a room full of other good banjos. Pruchas are very understated and elegant looking. It's like driving a Mercedes into a parking lot full of Cadillacs. I completely understand your fixation- it will only become more intense when you have the opportunity to actually see and play one.

Call Greg Boyd. He can tell you all about the differences that come from the different woods used, the archtop vs. flathead, and the other details.
regards,
stanger

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Edited by - stanger on 01/28/2011 12:56:40

jwgreene01 - Posted - 01/28/2011:  13:07:57

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Thanks Stanger.....I have been on Prucha's and Greg Boyds website and they sound fantastic. Greg Boyd has a cherry one for sale I think that would be very cool. I am a long way from getting a new banjo but I'm doing research now. I'm not familiar with Pruchas line up progression as far as price structure, which is the low end v high end or difference between models. So I'm in the info gathering phase. I certainly appreciate your detailed perspective.

KRbanjo - Posted - 01/28/2011:  15:25:22

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I have a Prucha Pioneer that I am very happy with. I can't compare it to others you asked about because I really haven't played any of them and I am no expert anyway.

I do really like mine. I believe it is the next to lowest priced model. My understanding is that the rim and ring are the same as the higher priced Prucha models, there is just less ornamentation.

Quality is great and I love the neck. I have no desire to ever part with it. If I had the extra funds lying around I would buy another in an instant.

Find and buy what suits you.
P.S. Mine would be a Gibson clone.

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Edited by - KRbanjo on 01/28/2011 15:29:15

stanger - Posted - 01/28/2011:  15:33:08

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A few things about the line:
The banjos with Gibson style flanges are clones. Those with flanges that resemble Stelling's are his originals.
The rims are cut differently for the flanges. A big part of the original models' tone is the flange and it's position on the rim is sort of a combination of the Gibson 2-piece tube & plate, and the Gibson cast pot metal flange.

All his rims are made by him and the same rim is used throughout the entire line. All are made from old growth Bosnian maple.

All of his top models- the Bat, Fall In Love, Diamond Point, (and the Professional, which he makes on and off) have the same pots. When the same wood is used, there's very little difference other than the inlays.

All can be highly personalized. He has a wide choice of trim options, metal finishing treatments, and parts. His Massif resonator is solid wood, similar to the old Gibson top tension resonator, but is voiced for the banjo it's intended for. Many of his trim options are not offered by any other manufacturer.

Another thing- Prucha does some of the finest sunbursts and coloring I have ever seen. It's better than my own, and I've shot about 4000 sunbursts on Gibson acoustic guitars. His uniform coloring is also exceptional. All of the grain in the wood is completely visible, no matter how dark the stain is.

Prucha makes them all. He has one office worker, and an assistant. He sets every one up, and plays every one of them for at least a week before they are shipped. He's a good traditional bluegrass player. His primary income comes from making banjo parts, which are sold to the trade, and almost every manufacturer outside of the Orient uses them.

My own banjo was the first of his Patina process, and is mahogany that was colored a deep red-brown with a very subtle sunburst added. I fell in love with the dark rich look of the copper and dark red as soon as I pulled it out of the box.

One last thing... while the photos on Prucha's website are very professionally done, they are not Photoshopped or doctored. The actual banjos look even better.
regards,
stanger

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Edited by - stanger on 01/28/2011 15:57:22

AKUSfan2 - Posted - 01/28/2011:  16:04:27

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I've played them several times at the IBMA's. Let me tell you that those are some mighty-fine, top-notch, finely crafted banjos!
Their sound is spectacular!

Prucha is a master craftsman, period!

If Prucha could (or would) bring his shop over to the USA, and produce his fine instruments, with stickers on the inside of the wood rim that might say something like "Prucha - Louisville, KY", or, someplace like that... and, if he could enlist somebody like our own "GRICH" to handle engraving, and, design those fabulous designer spec banjos, it probably would be the final nail in the coffin for Gibson.

But, that's just my 2 cents.

Regards,
Gary

Beardog - Posted - 01/28/2011:  17:53:24

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I have a maple top tension Diamond Point that Jarda Prucha made as a special order banjo for me. It is a year old now, and like all fine banjos, it is getting even better with time. Everything that Stanger said is true. There is no way that I can add to what he said, so I'll just say "amen".

There are only a few banjos out there that I believe you can purchase sight unseen, and be confident of what you are getting. Prucha banjos belong on that short list, without a doubt. With the value of the dollar so low against the Euro right now, I would not hesitate to buy a used Prucha. If you see one you like on the used market, buy it. You won't be sorry. If you buy a Prucha from Greg Boyd, even a used one, he stands behind his banjos 110%. I have spent several very informative and pleasant hours on the telephone with Greg, and have purchased 3 banjos from him. I spent a large part of the 2009 and 2010 IBMA's hanging out at Jarda's booth. He and Greg Boyd are both great guys.

You can see photos of my Prucha here, if you haven't already seen it:

gregboyd.com/instrument_detail...t_key=849

The description mistakenly says it has a Renaissance head, which it obviously does not have.

black flag - Posted - 01/28/2011:  18:59:52

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quote:

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Originally posted by stanger

Another thing- Prucha does some of the finest sunbursts and coloring I have ever seen. It's better than my own, and I've shot about 4000 sunbursts on Gibson acoustic guitars. His uniform coloring is also exceptional. All of the grain in the wood is completely visible, no matter how dark the stain is.

stanger

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Strong praise coming from you, Mike.

Chris

ausiepluker - Posted - 01/28/2011:  21:36:53

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G'day,
I have a Prucha Pioneer, purchased November 2008. It has been played extencivly over the last two years or so and gives the impression that it will last a lifetime.
I can recommend it as a quality built intsrument. The only issue that I have had with it is the pancake type tuners need a bit more attention to the button screw adjustment in our highly changable Australian weather.
As far as a comparison with other banjos I would say that my Prucha Pioneer Masterclone does have sound of it's own.
I would suggest you play a Prucha, if you like the sound and the feel then buy it, as the craftmanship is excellent.
Cheers Pete.

goldtopia - Posted - 01/29/2011:  01:30:26

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Hmm, I would love to have a Prucha banjo if I could afford it. The nearest I would get to one is a Fitch made with Prucha parts which I already have. but still would like a Prucha.

Bill.O
motleyminstrels.co.uk
almost-here.co.uk

stanger - Posted - 01/29/2011:  11:48:16

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Hi, Beardog...
I played your banjo before it was shipped to you, and it's a killer! Prucha's top tensions have a classic TT sound with extra pop and snap. I could feel the resonator on your banjo vibrating as I played it. That vibration thing is common to feel in the necks- when I step on mine hard, the banjo just springs to life like a Greyhound taking off.
regards,
stanger

Beardog - Posted - 01/29/2011:  12:13:22

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Hey Stanger, long time, no talk. Good to hear from you!