Gibson TB100 conversion Review
Gibson TB100 conversion
submitted 6/30/2009
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Submitter |
george craciun (see all reviews from this person) |
Where Purchased |
Kernersville, N.C. |
Year Purchased |
2007 |
Price Paid |
1500 ($US) (bought USED) |
Sound
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This 1966 conversion (to 5 strings) banjo has a rich full but very audible sound. I play an unconventional lead finger 3 finger picking style and find this instrument to be just about everything I could ever want in a banjo. |
Sound Rating |
10 |
Setup
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The banjo was well set up by its previous owner when I purchassed it. I fell in love with it as soon as I played it. The banjo has the keith D tuners, which I find little use for, but retain. The instrument also came with RR spikes placed at the 6th and 8th frets, which are very handy. I recently increased the volume of the sound chamber by installing 1/4" nylon spacers on the resinator screws. That increased to sound and sustain somewhat. I also replaced the metal arm rest with a Nechville wooden rest which looks nicer and is imminently more practical and comfortable in our humid sweaty Florida conditions. |
Setup Rating |
10 |
Appearance
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The banjo is in good shape with only a few very minor dings and two very tiny holes along the topside of the neck, where I assume a sliding capo was once mounted. The finish is decent and a few of the the diamond shaped inlays on the neck have faded. |
Appearance Rating |
7 |
Reliability
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Finish, setup, functionality, and reliability are spot on. I would not hesitate taking this instrument to any gig or jam occasion. |
Reliability Rating |
10 |
Customer Service
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I have never had occasion to contact the company, nor have I had any need for luthier services with this instrument. |
Customer Service |
not rated |
Components
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All of the componants and parts of this banjo are top quality. The tail piece and tuners are good quality, and very little retuning is required either during or after a jam or after sitting for a week or 2 without being played. |
Components Rating |
10 |
Overall Comments
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I would recommend this banjo to anyone wanting a really great sounding, reliable, and easy playing instrument. I don't know if I paid too much or too little for this instrument, but I love it, and to me, even twice that price is not excessive. I have 4 other banjos, Deering Sierra which I use mainly for practice, an Ozark which I use as a theoretical backup instrument, an inexpensive Rogue which is a bush and travel instrument, and a nameless old clunker my grandchildren can mess with. The Gibson TB100 conversion is far and above any banjo I have ever owned or played. I consider it a lifetime keeper. |
Overall Rating |
9 |
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