All Banjo Reviews (By Submitter) - Banjo Hangout

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Gold Tone BC 350+ submitted 11/20/2010
Submitter	nyartist
Where Purchased	Tony Hatton
Year Purchased	2010
Price Paid	850 ($US)
Sound	I was very surprised at the volume even with the obligatory foam placed in the pot to muffle the overtones. I love the sound and can compare it favorably to banjos costing 2 x as much - banjos that I have owned. I really prefer this slightly wider fretboard. I find it so much easier to play than the narrower one.
Sound Rating	10
Setup	Set up was just as I like it. I did finally remove the armrest as I found it more comfortable to just rest my arm on the rim.
Setup Rating	10
Appearance	Looks beautiful... I sold a custom built banjo and bought this one and haven't regretted it at all.
Appearance Rating	10
Reliability	The tuners are GT planets but I always like to fiddle around and upgrade components so I bought Waverly tuners to replace them. Did I need to? Not really. I just like messing around and experimenting.
Reliability Rating	9
Customer Service	I've dealt with Wayne and Gold Tone for years and find them to be responsive, available and helpful. They fit a great niche in the world's banjo marketplace.
Customer Service	10
Components	I mentioned the tuners. I do NOT find that they're slipping - they're doing well. It's just that I love tinkering wherever and whenever I can. It's part of my fun. I might add a wire arm rest but as of now I'm comfortable just playing the banjo with no armrest at all.
Components Rating	9
Overall Comments	Since the banjo came I've not wanted to put it down. My practices are longer and more fun than ever before. This banjo just works for me. I've owned Reiter, Chanterelle and Ome openback banjos and the custom built one but this one just seems perfectly suited to me. Kind of like lucking out with an on-line dating service!
Overall Rating	10

Other Gold Tone Clip-on Tuner submitted 8/4/2010
Submitter	nyartist
Where Purchased	Mark Horowitz at Banjo Camp
Overall Comments	Just the best...period! I play outdoors 1/2 the week and could never see the display of a particular clip on tuner I've had. I had to get up, go inside where it was dark and then tune up. I tried the Gold Tone clip on tuner at the Metro Banjo Camp last weekend and it is a beauty! No problem seeing the display in strong natural light.
Overall Rating	10

Jason Burns Open Back submitted 8/3/2010
Submitter	nyartist
Where Purchased	from Jason
Year Purchased	2010
Price Paid	2075 ($US)
Sound	I absolutely love everything about this banjo. Jason and I worked together through emails and the phone ( I counted 45 emails) to get exactly what I wanted in a banjo. From the wood to the inlay to the components he gave me choices and sent photo samples of each of those choices. I finally settled on a tubaphone tone ring.
Sound Rating	10
Setup	Never had to change a thing. Action was perfect, bridge was set just right.
Setup Rating	10
Appearance	The banjo is walnut with a red mahogany stain, ebony tuning buttons, raw brass hardware, Waverly tuners, 25 1/2" scale, Burns peghead, 12" pot, elegant 5th string carving, specially designed mother of pearl artists palette inlay over the scoop.
Appearance Rating	10
Reliability	I totally think I can depend on it.. But this banjo is NOT leaving the house. I'll take another one to jams. This is more than a banjo, it's a work of art.
Reliability Rating	10
Customer Service	I've mentioned the 45 emails, photos sent of the progress at each step, willingness to make changes on the fly. I don't know many people who do business this way.
Customer Service	10
Components	All of the components are are standout. I have no desire to change anything.
Components Rating	10
Overall Comments	I've never really played a tubaphone tone ring banjo before but I'm getting to love it the more I play it. It rings loud yet there's a warmth to it as well. Sometimes if I put a cloth in the back it knocks out the overtones and sounds really beautiful. I got that idea from Mark Horowitz with his Fielding banjo and I liked the way that sounded. Just a gorgeous instrument and such a pleasure to pick up and play every day.
Overall Rating	10

Gold Tone White Ladye WL-250 submitted 6/15/2009
Submitter	nyartist
Where Purchased	banjo Hangout Classified
Year Purchased	2009
Price Paid	Don't Remember (bought USED) historic exchange rates / currency converter
Sound	I play clawhammer and already had two wonderful banjos: Bart Reiter Round Peak and an Ome Jubilee - both with 12" pots. I wasn't expecting lots from this banjo but I have fallen in love! The sound surprised me. I play it outdoors in a setting surrounded by water yet there is more volume than I expected. Sounds great to me.
Sound Rating	10
Setup	The set up was right on. The seller suggested using a Moon Bridge which I did and couldn't be happier with the results.
Setup Rating	10
Appearance	It looks great to me. It also smells great and feels great.
Appearance Rating	10
Reliability	I like the hardware = the tone ring seems seated perfectly well, the tuners are fine. It definitely is a durable instrument and if I lost my Reiter and Ome I would be content to play only this.
Reliability Rating	10
Customer Service	I've dealt with Wayne before at Gold Tone and have nothing but positive experiences.
Customer Service	10
Components	Others have mentioned the tuners. I found that after one week of leaving the banjo at this place I described that's surrounded by water the banjo was still in tune. I thought I would change them to 5 Star tuners but right now see no reason.
Components Rating	9
Overall Comments	I would absolutely recommend it. I owned one of these WL 250's about 2 years ago but couldn't appreciate at that time its qualities. Now that I'm a better player I can be a better judge of good quality.
Overall Rating	10

Ome Jubilee submitted 5/9/2009
Submitter	nyartist
Where Purchased	Elderly
Year Purchased	2009
Price Paid	1225 ($US) (bought USED)
Sound	I have a Bart Reiter Round Peak and now this Ome Jubliee - both with 12" pots and both wonderful banjos. The Reiter has more 'snap' but the Ome is a little more woody. Volume is good. I switch off during my practice sessions and alternate playing both. I don't know yet which is my favorite. It's like having two wonderful mistresses.
Sound Rating	10
Setup	Set up was just right as I've come to expect from Elderly. Action was perfect, head tight, nice Snuffy Smith bridge. No buzzes whatsoever.
Setup Rating	10
Appearance	Looks great to me. But I'm partial in that I've always wanted to own and Ome. That comes from my 20+ years living in and around Boulder where Ome is made.
Appearance Rating	9
Reliability	hardware seems like it'll last. I wasn't sure what the tuners were but the folks at Ome told me they were probably Schaller Tuners. I thought Schaller only made D tuners but who knows. I only know they hold the tune and don't slip.
Reliability Rating	10
Customer Service	There are none finer than Elderly. Who else (other than Zepp) will let you try out an instrument and return it if it doesn't suit you?
Customer Service	10
Components	Like I said, tuners are fine. Nothing needs to be replaced or upgraded. Some day I might throw on a Kat Eyz bridge to see what happens.
Components Rating	10
Overall Comments	I love it. I love the Reiter too and finally have two banjos that are real pleasures to look at and play. I've tried so many and am content for the first time in a while.
Overall Rating	10

Enoch Tradesman submitted 4/22/2009
Submitter	nyartist
Where Purchased	Elderly
Year Purchased	2009
Price Paid	925 ($US)
Sound	I would have to agree with many of the other reviews that putting a small cloth in the back really does a good job. I love the sound that way.
Sound Rating	9
Setup	Elderly always does a fine job wit the set up. Of course they ship the banjo with the bridge lying flat as i would want them to. It was pretty easy setting it using harmonics.
Setup Rating	10
Appearance	Very easy on the eyes. Nothing fancy but simplicity is what I wanted.
Appearance Rating	9
Reliability	I like it all. I would disagree with some of the other reviews about the tuners. the Gotoh tuners are really good and I see no need to swap them out.
Reliability Rating	10
Customer Service	Elderly is always good to deal with and Kevin responded to my three email questions and comments within one day.
Customer Service	10
Components	I was all ready to change the Gotoh tuners to 5 star tuners I had lying around. I thought I would need to to that based on other reviews but after playing around and tuning and re-tuning I decided against changing them. They work just fine for me.
Components Rating	10
Overall Comments	I really like it. I see it as the little brother to my Bart Reiter Round Peak. They're hanging side by side: one tuned to G and the other tuned to double C. The Reiter is heavier and more elegant in ways, but the Enoch is totally enjoyable to play. I would recommend this banjo without hesitation.
Overall Rating	9

Bart Reiter Round Peak submitted 2/18/2009
Submitter	nyartist
Where Purchased	Zepp Music
Year Purchased	2009
Price Paid	995 ($US) (bought USED)
Sound	I just love the sound of this played over the scoop. Seems like the more the practice progresses the better it sounds. Could be my imagination but it really is happening every day I pick it up to play.
Sound Rating	10
Setup	Zepp did a fine job with the set up. I just replaced the bridge with a 5/8" Kat Eyz that I had lying around. Head was tight- no problems with the set up.
Setup Rating	10
Appearance	It sure is easy on the eyes. Bart has a reputation of being a meticulous craftsman and it's a well deserved reputation. I owned a different Reiter banjo a bout a year ago but as I become a better player I seem to be appreciating what he builds more and more. Nothing fancy. I tried fancy before and I'm happier how with less bells and whistles.
Appearance Rating	10
Reliability	Beautiful finish. I expect it to get better with time, not to wear thin. Like I said the more I play it the better it sounds.
Reliability Rating	10
Customer Service	I emailed Bart with a question about putting on a calf skin head and he dissuaded me from doing that. He responded within one day of my email. Mark at Zepp's was great to deal with. I actually put in the order for the banjo when I was traveling in Buenos Aires!
Customer Service	10
Components	I must say that I love the tuners. I had a Chanterelle recently and it seemed I was always tweaking the tuners. I never could find out what tuners he used. These are 5 star and just perfect.
Components Rating	10
Overall Comments	I've owned a bunch of banjos and as I grow as a player I find more to appreciate about all of them. At this point in time I couldn't be happier. If it was stolen I'd call my boys in Brooklyn and have them look for the thief. Seriously though - if it was stolen I'd look for another one.
Overall Rating	10

Mutes Mike's Banjo Mute submitted 9/12/2008
Submitter	nyartist
Where Purchased	Mike
Overall Comments	Very very nice! Hands down the best mute around and I've tried at least three others over the years. Each had issues and problems but this one is just perfect! So easy to put on and take of and does the job.
Overall Rating	10

Epiphone MB-100 submitted 9/7/2008
Submitter	nyartist
Where Purchased	not yet purchased
Year Purchased
Price Paid	Don't Remember historic exchange rates / currency converter
Sound	This was truly surprising to me. I went to Guitar City not to buy but to try out thinking this could be a good travel banjo. Not expensive and no great loss if damaged in travel.
Sound Rating	7
Setup	not bad.... I would replace the bridge but the action was at a height I like, the head was tight - no great issues with set up
Setup Rating	7
Appearance	Pretty decent. Not as nice looking as my Gold Tone Cripple Creek, but I did install planetary tuners on the Gold Tone so that looks nicer than the guitar tuners.
Appearance Rating	7
Reliability	Hardware is decent and I believe will last. But you must remember that we're talking about a banjo that sells for $179 or less. Can't expect the same qualities as I have on my Chanterelle!
Reliability Rating	7
Customer Service	Guitar City does a nice job as far as I can tell of supporting after sale.
Customer Service	7
Components	Components are nothing to write home about but they sure as heck surprised me. I played that banjo hard in the store and kept checking the tuning. They (the tuners) did a good job of holding the tune and felt smooth and comfortable.
Components Rating	7
Overall Comments	Like I said - totally surprised and will definitely buy one for travel. I like my Cripple Creek with the rolled brass tone ring better but I like this better than the Rover I had a couple of years ago.
Overall Rating	7

Hohner HOB200 submitted 1/10/2008
Submitter	nyartist
Where Purchased	Elderly Instruments
Year Purchased	2007
Price Paid	Don't Remember historic exchange rates / currency converter
Sound	I love the sound having owned a few other top rated openbacks and finding everything about this banjo more than I imagined.
Sound Rating	9
Setup	Elderly does a great job - no adjustments necessary.
Setup Rating	10
Appearance	Gorgeous instrument - no two ways about it.
Appearance Rating	10
Reliability	I can find no issues with the reliability.
Reliability Rating	10
Customer Service	Elderly is the best for my money regarding service and being responsive.
Customer Service	10
Components	Great components - the tuners are sweet. As good or better than the higher rated and more expensive banjos I've owned. No need to mention them because they're great too and I'm not interested in putting them down.
Components Rating	10
Overall Comments	I just love it... I use a Gold Tone Cripple Creek for traveling but this babe is my stay at home babe.
Overall Rating	10

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