Overall Comments

Review of the BanjoMate Tone Enhancer-brass version
Product was received from Little Mountain Music as a free trial offer through BHO.
Banjo used: 2002 Gibson RB250 w/Remo top frosted head; 5/8” Hatfield compensated bridge; and GHS PF150 med-light strings.

This product comes with specific easy-to-follow instructions on how to find the optimal placement of this accessory. Once ideal placement is located, the product is mounted inside the resonator with the provided Velcro fastener for easy application, adjustment, or removal. No screws, drilling, or gluing are needed.

The BanjoMate was initially installed on the resonator per directions with a corner edge ~1/4” from resonator edge at the heel of the neck. However, because the rim of the pot rests just above the resonator and is approximately 2-3cm inside the circumference of the resonator, the initial placement of the BanjoMate needed to be adjusted to a minimum of 4.0cm from the resonator’s inside edge in order to keep from touching the inside pot rim.

For reference purposes, the corner pointing toward the neck will be the “N” corner with other corners respectively as W, E, and S (toward the tailpiece). Care was taken to center the BanjoMate along the diameter of the resonator (between neck and tailpiece) keeping the side corners (W & E) equal distance from the side wall. Per instructions, the BanjoMate “N” corner was placed with point centered between the sides of the resonator’s heel notch. This corner was moved toward the bridge along the center diameter in 1 to 1.5 cm increments testing for changes in volume, tone, and resonance. Distances (in cm.) tested were 4.0 4.25, 4.5, 4.75, 5, 5.25, and 6.25cm. Most noticeable & favorable change in volume, tone, and resonance occurred at 4.75cm. Tone & resonance was a bit muffled at 4.0 and ‘tinny’ at 5.25 but was particularly tinny at 6.25cm when it had a very distinct ‘metalic’ overtone. Of note, the 6.25cm placement put the “S” point of the BanjoMate very near the location of the bridge. At 4.75cm, the tone was distinctly clearer, had more volume, and the resonance was enhanced without any of the overtones heard at the 6.25cm placement. Placement beyond the 6.25cm distance or placement closer to or under the bridge was not tested.

Because I was also interested in the BanjoMate’s tone ‘mellowing’ ability, I also tried 5 position changes turning it clockwise from the optimal 4.75cm position (noted above) to a full 90 degree rotation with a side centered and facing the heel slot with the two corners of that side each at 4.75cm from the resonator’s edge. The rotation did seem to produce a somewhat more mellow sound w/o muffling or dulling the tone. My preference for mellow tone quality with this accessory was at the full 90 degree turn as described above. That position gave about the best and most noticeable ‘mellow’ tonal change to my ear. No other rotational positions were tested.

Impressions: The BanjoMate does effect changes in the tone, volume, and resonance of this banjo. My banjo, being mahogany, is already somewhat on the ‘mellow’ side and definitely does not have the brighter tone more common to some maple banjos I’ve heard. At the 4.75cm placement, there was an immediate noticeable change in the tone and volume of the banjo in a ‘brighter’ positive sense. It definitely gave it more ‘pop’. Additional placement changes which rotated the alignment of the BanjoMate did effect some ‘mellowing’, however, not to the same noticeable degree as it did to the change in ‘brightness’. I am not sure if in development of this product, a different degree of effect was noted specifically between maple and mahogany banjos. Perhaps someone evaluating this accessory on a maple banjo could comment on this in their review.

As a further experiment in search of the ideal ‘mellow sound’, I will be installing a Renaissance head on my RB250 in the near future and will, after the head settles in, do more experimentation with the BanjoMate to see what effect it has with that type of head. It may not be forthcoming for a month or two…but… stay tuned!

Overall Rating

9

Sound

I bought this banjo for 'grab & go' anywhere use and for practice use instead of my resonator banjo when I need to keep the volume down in the house. Right out of the box I replaced the strings and the bridge (ghs PF 135's & a Kat Eyz bridge) . I did not even try the original no-name bridge. With these noted modifications the sound is 'old timey' and the strings ring quite nicely.... No tinny sounds or overtones noted. I did note, however, that a 'hammer-on' is 'weak' sounding...possibly because the ring dies off quicker than on a banjo with a resonator. The tonal quality holds pretty well up the neck until about the 17th-19th fret then starts to get muddy, losing ring/tonal quality ...but certainly satisfactory for a starter banjo.

Overall, I think the overall sound is terrific for an inexpensive open-back banjo.

Sound Rating

9

Appearance

The neck and rim are listed in the specs as mahogany, but the color looks more like maple, which is OK too. The wood has a smooth satin finish. No flaws noted. Out of the box the rosewood fretboard appeared to be very dry but a little fretboard conditioner seemed to remedy that. The wire frets had no burrs or snags .

Appearance Rating

9

Customer Service

I've not had any reason to contact customer service. The banjo comes with a limited lifetime warranty "against defects of materials and workmanship". Am not sure of the value of the warranty.

Customer Service

not rated

Overall Comments

Would absolutely recommend this banjo as a starter or a 'grab and go' take anywhere banjo. It won't hold it's own volume-wise like a resonator, but is certainly adequate for small gatherings. If stolen, I'd replace it with the same banjo. Best features... it's lightweight, simple design, seems durable, has nice sound for the $$....and is easy to play.

Overall Rating

9