Mastercraft Player Series Standard
submitted 3/22/2006
|
Submitter |
gmartin |
Where Purchased |
thebanjohut.com |
Year Purchased |
2005 |
Price Paid |
199 ($US) |
Sound
|
This was my first banjo; my wife bought it for me for Christmas. The sound was good enough that I discovered I really enjoyed playing the banjo. Doesn't sound like Earl or anything, but it does sound like a banjo.
For the price, the sound's not bad, though. |
Sound Rating |
6 |
Setup
|
It was setup fine when I got it. I just had to tune it up and play, the action was nice a low. I think it must have had light guage strings on it; I changed to Gibson Earl Scruggs mediums a few weeks ago, and it's a little harder on the fingers (not too much, though, I also play guitar, and mess around on mandolin, and those are much harder on the fingers).
I have to say, the setup doesn't seem to adjust very easily; only one coordinating rod, if you can call it that. It's really just a thin bolt, and doesn't allow much adjustment.
The truss rod adjustment is a little hard, the hex wrench that comes with it barely fits. |
Setup Rating |
8 |
Appearance
|
It sure looked good when I got it. Now that I know more about banjos, it doesn't look as good as a banjo with a one-piece flange.
I like the looks of it, though, it's got a dark finish (it's all mahogany). |
Appearance Rating |
8 |
Reliability
|
The hardware isn't going to last. As a matter of fact, I've had one mishap with it. I was picking it up from its stand, and it slipped out of my hands and fell over and the neck smacked on the rim of one of those plastic tubs, right between the nut and the 5th string peg.
It hasn't been the same since. The neck twisted where it joins the pot assembly, and I've fiddled with it to try to get it to play right again. Now, the 5th string buzzes, and the banjo doesn't sound the same.
I finally found the reason; apparently, the rim cracked.
I've got it playing as good as I can make it now. I don't know if this is a reliability issue or not. I mean, I _did_ lose hold of it, but it sure seems fragile if that's all it takes to break it. |
Reliability Rating |
5 |
Customer Service
|
Never dealt with them. |
Customer Service |
not rated |
Components
|
I'm pretty sure the whole thing is weak or cheap parts. It's a $199 banjo, for crying out loud.
It has no tone ring, and the tail piece is obviously cheap; it doesn't look like any tail piece I've seen while looking for my new banjo.
The banjo itself I'm pretty sure is the same cheap imported banjo
sold by Bean Blossom, Rogue, Johnson, etc, or at least made from the same parts.
The tuners are guitar style tuners, and they suck. The 5th string tuner is not geared, but works okay if you tighten the button screw.
It's really really light, too. As in, the neck weighs more than the pot, which makes it a bit awkward to play. |
Components Rating |
4 |
Overall Comments
|
For what it is, it's a perfectly acceptable banjo. It let me discover that I liked to play the banjo, and I can't fault my wife at all for buying it; it was a splendid gift, and I'd have probably thrown a fit if she'd spent $500 on a Christmas presend she didn't even know if I'd be playing in 3 months.
So, if you don't know if you like to play banjo or not and you want to get a taste, this (or any like it) is a fine starter instrument.
If you end up liking the banjo, though, you be wanting a new instrument in 2-3 months, probably, and you'll have to write the price of this banjo off as a learning experience because you probably won't be able to sell it for any useful amount of money.
I'm replacing mine with an Epiphone MB-250. |
Overall Rating |
7 |
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