Enoch M200
submitted 3/6/2006
|
Submitter |
Steve Arkin |
Where Purchased |
Bob Smakula at Clifftop |
Year Purchased |
1994 |
Price Paid |
Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
|
Sound
|
Rich plunky tone, loud and responsive, capable of great variety depending on set up, hand position, and right hand technique, The best banjo I ever heard (except for the Enoch custom model I had Kevin build because I liked this one so much). |
Sound Rating |
10 |
Setup
|
It was set up perfectly--exactly the way I like it. The most playable neck I have ever encountered and with a deep enough fingerboard scoop (which is a rarity). |
Setup Rating |
10 |
Appearance
|
Kevin Enoch rivals Doug Ungar in fit and finish, with the added bonus that his banjos are completely playable Round Peak style instruments and not merely replicas of historic banjos. The finish, inlay and pearl engraving, are as good as it gets. |
Appearance Rating |
10 |
Reliability
|
It's as well made as any banjo I've ever owned, and I've owned a lot of them, including three all-original pre-war Mastertones, two pre-fire Whyte Laydies and an early #9 Tubaphone, a Cole 5000, and a Chanterelle fretless. |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
|
After 11 years of constant playing I needed a fret job and gave the banjo to Kevin during the first week of August--and got it back within 10 days. Kevin has been tremendously accoommodating and helpful. |
Customer Service |
10 |
Components
|
As I said, the best neck I have ever played and the perfect rim for Round Peak style clawhammer (and all clawhammer). I also used it to play 3-finger style on the Troublesome Creek String Band CD and it sounded like a great pre-war Mastertone (only a bit quieter). I have a problem with 5 Star Planet pegs, but that goes for almost all modern pegs--they lose tension very easily (same goes for Waverleys). |
Components Rating |
9 |
Overall Comments
|
I strongly recommend this banjo (and all Kevin's banjos--including the Tradesman--which is an incredible bargain). If it was stolen I would order another one and buy a Tradesman to tide me over (along with the one that wasn't stolen--since I have two of them). |
Overall Rating |
10 |
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