Banjo-Tam 5-string with Jingles Banjo Reviews
Banjo-Tam 5-string with Jingles
submitted 6/20/2007
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Submitter |
dhoenisch (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
eBay |
Year Purchased |
2006 |
Price Paid |
55 ($US) |
Sound
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For a banjo around $50, I can't complain about the sound out of the box, which wasn't bad, but I had to do a lot to get a sound that I wanted out of it. It came with a soft bridge, weird type of strings, weird tailpiece and a sagging head. I tightened the head as much as I could without breaking the rim, made a new Maple/Ebony bridge, added a no-knot tailpiece, and used nylon strings, and it sounds pretty good with that setup. I play Scruggs-style, and I play this one a lot without fingerpicks, and it sound decent. This is kind of my recliner banjo.
(I am rating this as a $50 banjo, not a $5K banjo) |
Sound Rating |
9 |
Setup
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As mentioned before, the banjo wasn't set up too well, but shouldn't be, in my opinion, being shipped to me and all. After the many modifications I did to it, it definitely improved it to something that is fun for me to play. In addition to the modifications mentioned above, I added side markers since this one didn't have any. Sometimes I'll lay in bed and play this thing, and without the side markers, I'd get lost playing Foggy Mt. Breakdown or other songs that go up the neck. The guitar tuners were installed weird. The bottom two were fine, but the top two were reversed. No problem, just reversed them, re-drilled the screw holes, and problem solved. Frets had finish on them, but scraping with a fingernail fixed that. Action was also a bit high, but an adjustment of the neck, and that fixed that. Again, this is a novelty banjo, and perfectly playable with out the modifications, mind you, but I wanted a nylon string banjo and got that easily out of this one. I am not at all complaining. Actually, performing all of these upgrades was a lot of fun, and a definite learning experience.
(I am rating this as a $50 banjo, not a $5K banjo) |
Setup Rating |
6 |
Appearance
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Hey, for what it is, I have no complaints. Actually, I feel that it is better looking than the gumby styled GoodTimes banjo. Same color, better looking headstock.
(I am rating this as a $50 banjo, not a $5K banjo) |
Appearance Rating |
10 |
Reliability
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Well, I've had it a little over a year now, and it's fine. The guitar tuners are guitar tuners, and hold their tuning very well. Also, on a very good note (no pun intended), it has a geared 5th string tuner that also holds tuning very well. No complaints whatsoever on the tuning machines. My upgrades have been holding beautifully now for over a year.
(I am rating this as a $50 banjo, not a $5K banjo) |
Reliability Rating |
8 |
Customer Service
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Customer service is outstanding. The first banjo that was sent to me had a broken headstock. I e-mailed Frank Abrams at Banjo-Tam to tell him about the problem, and said that I could send pictures. He replied to me within an hour (if I remember correctly) and said not to worry about sending pictures, a new Banjo-Tam was on it's way. I got it within a few days, and this one was delivered in good condition. You just don't get customer service like this anymore. |
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
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See my entry for Reliability.
(I am rating this as a $50 banjo, not a $5K banjo) |
Components Rating |
8 |
Overall Comments
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Overall, I am glad I bought this banjo. Because of it's light weight (I think it's only 4 pounds) and it's nylon strings that I upgraded it with, I tend to play this more than my regular banjo. I can take it outside, and not have to worry about it, take it on trips and play it at rest stops, etc. I really enjoy this little banjo. I'd definitely pay more, and was willing to, but then I saw Frank's Christmas special price on eBay, and jumped on it.
(I am rating this as a $50 banjo, not a $5K banjo) |
Overall Rating |
8 |
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