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The banjo reviews database is here to help educate people before they purchase an instrument. Of course, this is not meant to be a substitute for playing the instrument yourself!
7238 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: Elderly
Year Purchased: 2006
Price Paid: 274 ($US)
The sound is really very nice. Plucky yet clear. The banjo is tuned for C, a 4th higher than G and that give it a little bit of a different quality when you play. But I found that even with the smaller, 8", head there was adequate resonation.
Sound Rating: 7
Banjo was set up and tuned just a few days prior to my purchase. The Elderly guys always do a good job. I have made no changes at all and have been very happy with the stock version.
Setup Rating: 10
It looks like an old time banjo. The guitar tunars give it a little bit of a cheaper look as does the GoldTone logo on the peg head. But it is an inexpensive banjo. The wood is blonde but the fretboard is rosewood with nice inlays.
Appearance Rating: 8
Even though this is an inexpensive model it looks like it was built to last. Strong where it needs to be and they did not scrimp on craftmanship.
Reliability Rating: 8
Excellent service, they included an extra set of strings and helped with locating the correct gig bag. They did not have the bag in stock but gave me the part number to help me find it elsewhere.
Customer Service: 10
Good bridge, fretboard is excellent. The tone ring looks a little weak but then this is only on an 8" head and may not need to be as strong as the ones on full size banjos.
Components Rating: 8
This is a great 2nd banjo or travel banjo. For kids it is just the right size. But even with my fat fingers I was able to play it without hitting wrong strings.
Overall Rating: 8
Where Purchased: Spruce Tree Music
Year Purchased: 2006
Price Paid: 1100 ($US)
This banjo has a very full sound. The Whyte Ladie Tone ring add a lot of punch without a lot of metal sound that I was used ot with my previous banjo
Sound Rating: 8
Item came set up and ready to play. Just a little tuning and off I went the only thing I added was of course a strap
Setup Rating: 9
Beautiful craftmanship! Dark Mahogany drum and neck with a ebony fretboard. The back edges of the drum are painted black.
Appearance Rating: 10
This seems like a very good and durable banjo. Bart's instruments have a good reputation for quality and this new model is of that tradition.
Reliability Rating: 8
Spruce Tree was excellent to deal with and very friendly. I wanted to visit personally but had to change plans at the last minute. They were very accommodating and shipped the banjo to. With teh shipping a personal email was sent advising me of the status of the shipment.
Customer Service: 9
Comes from Bart Reiter with Whyte Laydie tone ring. Five Star frosted head on 11" diameter rim (24 brackets). Ebony fretboard, pearl star in peghead & dots on fretboard, planetary tuners, adjustable truss rod. Bottom edge of rim painted black. Banjo is named for the town of Galax, Virginia, which hosts a renowned yearly fiddle and banjo competition. The only thing I may add is some sort of armrest. The banjo can be ordered with an armrest as an option.
Components Rating: 9
I am still a newbie but this was a significant upgrade form my Deering Goodtime Special. The sound is much more mellow but just as loud. The sustain is much greater and the tolerances tighter. I am really enjoying the upgraded tuners
Overall Rating: 9
Where Purchased: Elderly
Year Purchased: 2006
Price Paid: 489 ($US)
It is an ok beginer banjo with a very bright and tinning sound. I would like a little bit more mellowness and longer sustain but it is adequate. I finally have gotten the sound I was looking for.
Sound Rating: 7
It required me to install the bridge but the marks were placed on the drum head so it only took a few moments. I changed the head twice now to get the sound I wanted. I first tried a fiberskyn with a heavy moon bridge and that did improve the sound. But when I added a Remo head that was painted purple with changing the bridge to a Grover compensated one, and adding a no-knot tailpiece I was very happy. It sounds like and old time banjo now!
Setup Rating: 7
It is not the prettiest banjo but it is ok. The printing on the peg head is a iittle cheesy but you are not paying for a top crafted instrument here. Just one that can do the job it was designed to do and it is made with the best quality at this price point. I swapped out the tuners to real banjo tuners and the head looks a little better. The addition of a purple Remo head though really changed the look. Instead of being a pale blind banjo it is now striking. If I could find purple tuner buttons I would be very happy
Appearance Rating: 7
The tuners leave much to be desired. They are the guitar type and seem a little fragile.
Reliability Rating: 7
N/A
Customer Service: not rated
The weakest area is the tuners. The rest are all pretty good.
I have swapped out everything except the neck, pot, and tone ring.
Components Rating: 8
It is a fine beginner banjo or travel banjo. At the asking price the sound is really good. If you want a more traditional sound be prepared to change a few things.
Overall Rating: 7
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