Enoch Tradesman submitted 3/22/2008 Submitter Rizo Where Purchased private individual Year Purchased 2008 Price Paid 650 ($US) Sound The Tradesman has a unique tone. I assumed with a 12" pot and no tone ring it would have a mellow plunky tone. While I would call it mellow, it has more of a chimey or jangly tone. It's brighter than I expected. It's not a bad tone, just not what one would expect. It's a very pretty sound that definitely has it's place. The low end is very nice. While not the loudest banjo, it holds up fine around the house or if you're singing playing with just a fiddler, etc. If you're playing a barroom though you'll probably want to amplify it. Percussive techniques are easier on this banjo than many I've played. I have a feeling a different head or bridge would change the tone quite a bit if one wasn't happy with it. As always playing style alters the tone. Sound Rating 9 Setup I bought this banjo used so I can't comment on the factory set up, but if it's bone stock (which it may well be) it's set up great. Elderly warns that the action is high on these, but I'm not sure where they're getting that from. I'm thinking of trying a skin head to see how that sounds though. Mine does have a little fret sprout, but that's because of a cold Ohio winter and electric heat, not Kevin's craftsmanship. His craftsmanship is of the utmost. For all intensive purposes, flawless. This is a banjo that feels great in your hands. This is a scooped model and I love the action of the neck. Setup Rating 10 Appearance The Tradesman is plain, plain, plain. I consider that a bonus though. Who needs a bunch of gaudy inlay and binding driving the price up? I love the way this thing looks. The walnut neck has beautiful grain. I love how traditional this things looks, but some may want more flash. Appearance Rating 10 Reliability I'd gig without a back up (if I were gigging). The hardware is all quality, but it is built pretty light. I wouldn't treat it like I do my Telecaster, but I don't see where anything is going to go wrong with this banjo that wouldn't go wrong with any other. Reliability Rating 9 Customer Service Never had a problem with the banjo, but I know Kevin's a forum member and he's responded to my emails before. I'm not too worried about it. Customer Service 10 Components Nothing NEEDS to be replaced or upgraded, but you know how we get sometimes. Swapping parts is fun. I might try a different bridge or a skin head to see what sound I get out of it, but in stock form this is a great banjo. All the parts are great. My personal favorite details are the V-neck and the curving heal. Components Rating 10 Overall Comments I'd like to see someone find a better deal on a handmade banjo. No frills mean you're not paying extra for things you don't need. If it were stolen, I'd look for another. I've owned 4 banjos (granted none were too high end) but this is head and shoulders above all of them. Edited to add: I've had my Tradesman a few months now and have messed around with the setup and bridge and strings. To my ears this thing sounds great, and I mean great in it's current configuration. I found that by tightening the head up (pretty tight, the bridge barely sinks in) I could bring out a lot more tone and a little more volume. I tried a Katz Eyez Old Growth Bridge for a while, but I think the stock one actually sounds better. I was going to replace the head but after going to .11 gauge strings I see no need. Everyone that's played it talks about how good it sounds so if you're considering picking up a Tradesman, go for it, but don't be afraid to tweak the setup to suit your taste. I highly recommend tightening the head up and using heavier strings, that's certainly all mine needed. Overall Rating 10