Overall Comments

I bought this book because I browsed through it at a retail store. The store owner thought it was pretty cool. So, for $20, why not?

It's a book that is primarily an excursion in the author's learning experience, as he says, " A banjo book written by a beginner banjo player." It's a combination of wonderment, and beginner enthusiasm. It is written as a sort of eye-witness account of an imaginary banjo-camp, which seems to fit our culture's fascination with vicarious instant gratification and group-learning experience.

If you are looking for a detailed how-to, pass this book by.There are other books for that. But, if you are a beginner who is unfamiliar with styles, pickers and methods, this book will give you a taste, kinda like a appetizer sampler at Applebee's. And for those of us who have been around for awhile, it is a nice compact reference of some of the more influential players of our time. Refreshingly, there is virtually none of the minutiae that infests the BHO concerning pre-war sound, tone rings, rims, which picker plays what, etc.

The book is a nicely written and lavishly illustrated paperback, a little on the artsy-fartsy side, but it's fun and interesting, sorta like a weekend at a banjo camp where you might be too busy to spend a lot of time in one chair, but want to see who-all is there and kinda what they're doing, so you can get excited about some part of it and start pursuing your own specialty.

The accompanying CD could have been more inclusive, but like I said, there is not all that much music in this book. The author's narrative and his hard-edged vocal quality take a little getting used to for someone used to dulcet Southern accents, but he seems like a guy who is truly in love with the banjo.

I believe this book would be helpful to someone who just decided that banjo-picking would be something cool to learn, but really hasn't been around it much. I find it contains much useful and accurate information presented in a clear and concise manner. If you are planning to attend a banjo camp or workshop this might be a good preview.

Overall Rating

8

Overall Comments

I haven't worked through the tabs yet, but they appear to be easy to read. I have never been more disappointed with an instructional CD as I have with this one. The banjo sounds absolutely terrible. Twangy and plunky and scratchy. The tunes plod on mechanically. Instead of what I expected- lilting and melodic British/Scottish/ Irish tunes with melodies recognizably familiar as their American offspring-the recordings are harsh and stilted.

I will work through the tabs, ignoring the CD and see if the tabs offer more satisfaction. The tabs are referenced to the various CD tracks, but there does not seem to have any rhyme or reason to the placement. They do not follow through sequentially.

I generally expect better from Mel Bay.

Overall Rating

4

Overall Comments

If you are one who worships at the altar of prewar flathead one-piece flange Gibson RB banjos, then this book will not disappoint. Lots of fascinating anecdotes and great photography. I am still absorbing the details. I think this will be a benchmark book as it will expose more scholars to the pursuit of the history and background of the Gibson PW flatheads.

The problems I have with the book are minor, and I probably risk being ostracized for my opinions.

I find the book very narrow in scope. It appeals to a small market niche of those interested in a few prized examples this type banjo. I would have liked to see more discussion about the history and development of these banjos and why they have ended up in such a highly regarded status. Maybe more of the available blueprints and shipping records, etc.Those of us who play old Gibsons know about the mystique and appeal, but will this esoterica captivate the wider market? Or maybe it's only supposed to be an homage to the elite few of these banjos that exist.

The editing and grammar errors are distracting and probably not noticeable to most people. For an heirloom coffee-table book, I'd appreciate a little more stringent editing. Still, an impressive work, the result of one man's passion and worthy of inclusion in your library.

Overall Rating

9

Overall Comments

Just received a new Scorpion 11/16" bridge from Silvio. I have a couple of other Scorpion bridges made with European maple. This bridge is made from a maple bowling alley rail, whatever that is. Don't know the country of origin of the maple. I used one of my Scorpion bridges on my Sullivan Festival Deluxe and it was a little too keen-sounding and lacked some essential overtones. I then switched to a Kat-Eyz Canadian maple/purple ebony and I thought that was the right bridge. Then i switched back to the Scorpion just for fun. When I got the new Scorpion, I installed it right away. Remo head, AMB medium cryos, 2 hump tailpiece.

This bridge really changed the sound of the banjo. The overtones were cleaner, the sound was fuller and "rounder" and the high end tone was strong and clear. Greta volume, balance and tone anywhere on the neck.

I emailed Silvio to relate my opinions and he said he had the same experience with this bridge. he said this came from a bowling alley rail and was really hard wood. I don't know how many grams or anything else...things I don't worry too much about. Great craftsmanship, classic lines, and solid sound. I'm hoping to get a few more.

Overall Rating

10

Overall Comments

I am very cynical about most gimmick-y things. I have tried my share of gimmicks and devices over the past 44 years of banjo playing. I've tried all the latest fads and tricks and I've usually been pretty disappointed. I've never been a "me-too" guy unless I have satisfied myself that things I endorse are valid and have been proven through my own experience.

Three days ago, I ordered a Banjo Mate Banjo Tone Enhancer. $19.95. I figured why not? If it's a rip-off, I'll write a scathing disclaimer. If it works, I'll write a fair review. If nothing happens, so what...? It sounds enough like snake-oil to be, well, snake-oil.

So the thing came USPS today, so I stuck it in my Scout. It's a square sheet of thin brass with a dish-shape, sorta pyramidal in shape. Now, years ago, a bunch of were trying saw-blades mounted to the coordinator rods, mirrors in the resonator, reflective hard-gloss paint and whatever else we thought might help the sound. I pretty much gave up on such stuff, because :
1. I don't like gimmicks
2. I figure a banjo either has it or not
3. I'm pretty good at setting up banjos and coaxing maximum sound(tone & volume) from one.

Anyway, here I was thinking, "Yeh, yeh...whatever..." I was fully expecting my cynicism to be vindicated, knowing this was just another dust-catcher for the junk-box. I thought I may make a clock out of it. The Scout is one good-sounding banjo and I thought it was as good as it was gonna get. I played the Scout for a few minutes just registering the sound in my head.

So, I stuck this puppy in there with it's little velcro fastener and played the same licks I had been playing for several minutes. Then I took the gizmo out and played the same stuff again. I repeated this process for 30-40 minutes, confident that I was going to be able to pooh-pooh the device.

My final analysis in the Scout is this: It made a marked improvement in the sound. Not a vast improvement, but a marked one. The sound was fuller, rounder, if you will, and had more sustain. It was slightly louder and I noticed for the first time that the Scout had an ear-crunching quality when I really bear down on it. I don't know how or why it works, but I was impressed enough to call Doug. I tried turning it to different orientations as he suggested and found out that it does make a difference. When I turned it with the points toward the heel and tailpiece, I got the best sound. When I turned it 90 degrees, it seemed slightly more "treble-y." I have yet to try varying degrees between 0 and 90, but I will. I also intend to try it in my Aria alumi-tone, my 28 Granada AT, my Lane and my Sullivan Festival Deluxe. I'm going to stick it in my friend's Asian mongrel-tone I put together for him. I'm trying to buy a USB studio mike, so maybe I'll do some sound files for each banjo. I have a blind friend who plays dobro, and who has a really sensitive set of ears, so I plan to use him as a guinea-pig, for a true "blind" sound-test. .

I don't know Doug, and I have no financial interest in his company or product.

I give it a thumbs-up. I think it's a winner.

ADDENDUM: Mar 6, 09

I just tried the Tone Enhancer in my Aria Alumi-tone. It was even more remarkable than in the Scout. I played the Scout and the Alumi-tone with and without the TE for my wife and she said,"What IS that thing!!?" High praise from her.

Overall Rating

10

Sound

Full sound. Bright maple banjo sound, good sustain

Sound Rating

9

Appearance

I'm not a big fan of the RK headstock and the Scout inlays are OK, but not very artistic. I wish the banjo had a lacquer or varnish finish, but I suppose the polyester finish is pretty durable. The nickel parts are flawless in fit and finish, although my armrest has a tiny "dimple" point from the backside , creating a small raised pinprick-type dent. The resonantor is beautiful golden sunburst on a reddish-brown. I wish the banjo was more brown than red. The neck would be more attractive if it had a sunburst finishto match the resonator, The neck in one color:reddish-brown.

Appearance Rating

8

Customer Service

Lifetime warranty. No registration needed, just keep your receipt.

Customer Service

10

Overall Comments

I think this is a great banjo for the money. I'm very satisfied with the sound. I compared with an RK-80 and a Deco-King at the same time. I play a custom-made top-tension Lane and a 1928 Granada and I find this banjo very favorable in sound and playability. I bought this as a back-up banjo, but would not be reluctant to play it as my main banjo.In fact, right now it is my main banjo. I will probably get it gold-plated, just because i prefer gold.

This is the best new banjo I have played in this price range. I have played new Deerings(calico, Maple Blossom, Sierra), Morgan Monroe, Gibson, Crafters, etc and this banjo will hold its own. For those who denigrate Chinese products, get over it. This banjo is as good as....

Overall Rating

9

Sound

I have a 1928 AT Granada that I have played for 34 years. For the past 4 years I have been playing a Top-Tension Custom Harry Lane Model G flathead. I have gotten used to the flathead tone and response, so the AT doesn't appeal to me any more. I wanted a backup banjo. After reading other raves, I found this Scout locally and played it. I liked it enough to buy it and I'm kinda fussy about sound and playability. In other words, it takes a lot to impress me.

Sound Rating

10

Appearance

Flawless finish. It's curly maple with a reddish-gold sunburst on the resonator. The neck is the same color as the resonator sides. I wish it was less red, more brown and had a sunburst neck. The red color is too much like mahogany. I like my maple a little more on the brownish side. The flange is clean and sturdy-looking.The nickel plating is excellent. I'm considering having it gold-plated, just because I like gold banjos. The rim laminations are a little "coarse" showing a pretty good seam in the finish at the joints. I don't especially like the matte finish, but it's OK.

The inlay design is a little underwhelming, but they're OK and well-executed. The peghead is overlaid, except for the pearl recoding King Block, which appears to be inlaid. The truss-rod cover is real pearl with a modern script "Scout" silk-screened on it. I had to use a magnifying glass to see the fingerboard inlay filler.

I would have preferred that they use a white/black/white binding combination on the neck and resonator, just to dress this banjo up a little. It's just a quality detail to me. That may be something I'll do to it, down the road.

Appearance Rating

9

Customer Service

Lifetime warranty. No registration needed, just sales receipt and deal with the retailer, not RK.

I have had no dealings with the company for service questions. I own this banjo, an RD-227 guitar and a Savannah-labeled mandolin that was supposedly a prototype for the new The Loar models. Quality is excellent on each. They are trying to "do it right."

Customer Service

9

Overall Comments

I've been shopping for a used Fender Artist. I could have bought one for the price I paid for this banjo. After Cliff Fitch raved about the Scout and I saw that Dana Cupp, Carl Jackson and Robbie McCoury all liked them, I decided to try one. Sonny is still my banjo hero, but I really don't need an Osborne Chief as a backup banjo. I get the Sonny influence without the Chief price. I don't think you're supposed to tell what the discounted price is, so I won't. This banjo is as close to a pre-war Gibson in sound and playability as I have played. Appearance is professional-quality. It will hold its own in sound and appearance. My Lane is still my #1 banjo,but until I get it back in playing condition, this banjo, for my money, is a winner. I just played it alongside a Fender FB-58 for my daughter, who is about as impartial as one can get,who was really impressed by the superiority in sound of the Osborne Scout. if this banjo was stolen, I'd get another one, if I could find one. They are still relatively rare in the marketplace.

I like this better than any of the other RK models I've played(RK-85, Deco-King) and better than Morgan Monroe, and contemporary Gold Star or the GoldTones.

Overall Rating

9

Sound

Sounds like a banjo. The tone is OK, not very pure, but plenty loud and clear.
It has good sustain and clarity and note separation. The frets are a little "buzzy" or "rattle-y "in some positions.

Sound Rating

6

Appearance

The banjo is fairly attractive. I don't like the veneer seam in the resonator, but the resonator is quite handsome with its curly maple and sunburst. the neck is plain maple. Fit and finish is really good. The rim is well-finished with veneer over whatever the rim is made of and wood or plastic binding inlaid around the rim. It's stained a dark reddish-brown with matte finish.
This is a Korean-made banjo with 20-hole flathead tone ring,1-piece Gibson-style flange, clamshell tailpiece, crappy planetary tuners. Chrome-plated and there are a few flaws in the metal and plating.

The inlays are typical. The peghead has the overlays with the thick polyester finish and the fingerboard inlays are well-executed. I found one pinhole in the filler of the 15th fret inlay.

Appearance Rating

6

Customer Service

The banjo was shipped at a reasonable cost and arrived as described and intact with a medium-quality HSC. The seller provided adequate communication and tracking info via FedEx. Used, so no warranty.

Customer Service

9

Overall Comments

For what I paid, it's a good banjo. I would consider a good student banjo and suitable up to an intermediate player. I think these sell at street price new at around $600.00., and represent a good value in that price range of banjos. I bought it to tinker with and will probably sell it to a student or use it as trading stock. Unless you have aspiration of being a professional picker, this banjo should suit the average player very well.

Overall Rating

6