Romero 11" Open Back Reviews

Romero 11" Open Back submitted 3/6/2007 Submitter J-Walk (see all reviews from this person) Where Purchased From Jason Romero Year Purchased 2007 Price Paid 2060 ($US) Sound I will admit that it took me a while to get accustomed to the sound of this banjo. I'm a new player, and I'd become very used to the sound of my Deering/Vega Old Time Wonder. This Romero banjo really resonates, and (to my ear) it sounded way too bright. I was getting some fret buzzing, so Jason sent me a new bridge to raise the action a tad. The new bridge is also much heavier than the original. After about a week of playing -- and especially after installing the new bridge, I can now say that this banjo sounds absolutely superb to me. The tone is perfectly balanced, and it no longer sounds too bright. I'm not sure how much of it is due to the different bridge or how much of it is just getting accustomed to playing a responsive and very resonant banjo. But, in any case, I'm a happy camper. But I still keep a sock stuffed under the head. Sound Rating 10 Setup As I mentioned, the action was a tad too low, but a slightly taller bridge solved that problem. Setup Rating 9 Appearance If you've browsed Jason's web site, you know that he makes some absolutely gorgeous instruments. Mine is no exception. I chose the "all wood" rim, and it's made of black walnut with a rosewood integral tone ring. The fingerboard (and overlays) are ebony. Here's the link to Jason's photos: http://www.romerobanjos.com/0795_gecko.html The only difference is that the banjo actually has a calfskin head rather than a Renaissance. My original plan was for much fancier inlay, but I eventually decided that simpler is better. He made a cool lizard inlay on the peghead, and some "petroglyph" fret markers. Appearance Rating 10 Reliability When it arrived, I gave this banjo a thorough inspection and I couldn't find a single flaw. Everything about this banjo screams quality. Barring total destruction of the globe (or a nasty accident involving a pickup truck), it will still be around and playable in 100 years. Reliability Rating 10 Customer Service When I ordered this banjo, Jason said it would be ready in six months at the latest. the delivery time was actually about 7.5 months. Not a big deal, but people do tend to become antsy when they're waiting for a new instrument to arrive. I spoke to him on the phone 3-4 times, and he's a very easy to get along with, and anxious to do whatever it takes to make an instrument that you'll like. No complaints in the customer service department. Customer Service 10 Components As I mentioned, everything about this banjo is top-notch. There are no cheap parts, and even the case is impressive. Components Rating 10 Overall Comments What more can I say? I took a risk,and it worked out great. I'd never even seen a Romero banjo in person, much less played one. Two words: Highly recommended. Overall Rating 10