Bishline Custom Built Banjo Reviews
Bishline Custom Built
submitted 12/10/2011
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Submitter |
piscesgrrl (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
Direct from Bishline |
Year Purchased |
2011 |
Price Paid |
4300 ($US) |
Sound
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I'm new to the banjo, but I think she sounds amazing. She's got a clear and crisp sound up and down the neck. The guys at my jam can't get over her sound. And, that should only improve with time. |
Sound Rating |
10 |
Setup
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I picked up my Bishline and she was ready to go! This banjo is SO easy to play. I have not made any changes and cannot foresee needing any soon. |
Setup Rating |
9 |
Appearance
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If I could rate this banjo at 20 I would. I asked for a lot of specifics and I got exactly what I wanted. Rob even gave me the exact color or turquoise I wanted based on a picture I had taken of the ocean. They found the most amazing inlay artist (Craig Lavin) and built me the banjo of my dreams. |
Appearance Rating |
10 |
Reliability
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I have only had her for about a month, but I sense that this banjo is a workhorse. I imagine I will purchase more banjos over the years, only because of desire, not a need for a backup. |
Reliability Rating |
9 |
Customer Service
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Again, I would rate the team at Bishline a 20 if I could. My calls and emails were always answered quickly. With some businesses I feel as if the idea of customer service has gone out the window. It was refreshing and reassuring to know that the Rob and the guys at Bishline actually seemed to enjoy our conversations and my ideas. |
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
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I do not yet know enough about banjos to know what parts will have to be upgraded. I am happy with every piece of this banjo so far. |
Components Rating |
9 |
Overall Comments
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Gee, what didn't I say already? I would have Rob build me another banjo in a heartbeat. |
Overall Rating |
10 |
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Bishline Custom Built
submitted 4/5/2006
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Submitter |
tunnelfifth (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
Direct from Rob Bishline |
Year Purchased |
2004 |
Price Paid |
2000.00 ($US) |
Sound
|
Bluegrass - the sound of this banjo is full and bright. It is very easy playing, and is a tunneled fifth model. The setup is for light gauge strings, and they are set low for fast and easy playing. |
Sound Rating |
10 |
Setup
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Rob did an excellent job building, and setting up the banjo. He is one of the top two or three builders, if not the top, in the four state area of Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas and Arkansas. |
Setup Rating |
10 |
Appearance
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The banjo is a tunneled fifth, and has a koa neck, rosewood fingerboard, a basic tree of life inlay, and curly maple purfling. The walnut resonator also has curly maple biinding, and an Earl Scruggs type maple inlay on the back. There are no flaws that either myself, or Rob has noticed. As for custom work, it is custom built to my specifications, and done very well. |
Appearance Rating |
10 |
Reliability
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The banjo has been extremely reliable, and I regularly transport it on a 200 mile round trip. |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
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I have known Rob for years. He is very friendly, an an excellent player and teacher. As for warranty...we reallly didn't discuss warranty, but Rob hasn't given me problems on the minor adjustments, etc., that must be done on any banjo that is used frequently. |
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
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The neck and the resonator back are the standout components on this banjo. Rob and I discussed woods and inlays before construction ever began, and no cheap parts or woods were used in its construction. |
Components Rating |
10 |
Overall Comments
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I would definatelly recommend a Bishline Banjo to anyone, beginner, or professional. I also have a Gibson RB-75 J D Crowe model that I purchased new in 2003, and Rob set it up also...I rarely play it because the Bishlline is so much better sounding, and easier to play. |
Overall Rating |
10 |
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