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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!
7233 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: direct from cornhusker
A really well made strap made by some really nice folks. The quality is great and the price is fair. Hard to ask for much else...
Overall Rating: 9
Where Purchased: internet
Year Purchased: 2008
Price Paid: Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
I play clawhammer style in a stringband/bluegrass/oldtime band. I wanted a nice clean balanced tone without to much sharp attack etc. With a bit of set up work, this one hits the nail on the head. I wanted the resonator to get some volume to keep up with the band..this was a good choice with no tone ring..a nice woody sound louder than my openbacks..sweet toned
Sound Rating: 9
I was set up fine for BG...took it apart and re-set it up for my style..
Setup Rating: 9
a very nice looking jo. overall finsh is nice.
Appearance Rating: 9
even the tuners are decent....thought they would be worse...I normally change them out 1st thing...but these work OK
Reliability Rating: 9
They were very nice....sent me a hat!
Customer Service: 9
probably the tuners at some point....maybe the tailpiece at some point..but no complaints
Components Rating: 9
I really like this one and look forward to giging with it. will be a different sound for me...
Overall Rating: 9
Where Purchased: e-bay store-new
Year Purchased: 2007
Price Paid: 500 ($US)
Changed out the bridge and brought the action up to 3/32. sounds nice now. play clawhammer style...but heard it scruggs style and it sounded nice too..
Sound Rating: 8
bit on the low side and the neck was twisted out of joint..both easy fixes
Setup Rating: 8
Really an eyecatcher. get's a lot of compliments and folks wanting to try it out. poly is a bit thick looking, but it will outlive the roach kingdom after nuclear war. Pretty wood, the walnut is different and nice looking.
Appearance Rating: 9
No worries here either. did not have to swap anything out. I play in a band so this gets a fair amount of road time and play time...not worried about it crapping out on me...just bring my basic tools/spares like I do for anything I play.
Reliability Rating: 9
never contacted, did the set up work myself...they have a great website tho....warranty seems fair. Doubt I'll ever need it..
Customer Service: 8
the tuners work, will probably swap out in a year or so for grovers. Rest looks and works just fine thank you. Does have the rolled brass tone ring by the way...
Components Rating: 8
Nice banjo at a great price. Had been playing another brand for years, but very glad I bought this one...fit and finsih is nice, sounds great, have some pride of ownership with it...we've become friends! It it were stolen, I would harvest the organs of the thief, sell them, and buy another one...probably go with the deluxe next time just because...
Overall Rating: 9
Where Purchased: Elderly
Year Purchased: 2007
Price Paid: 325 ($US)
A fiberskin head and a Grover bridge make it just what I was looking for...did not even try out the original equipment
Sound Rating: 9
tore it apart when I got it, but it was easy to set up on the rebuild
Setup Rating: 8
The other reason, besides changing the head, that I tore it apart. I polished out the rather life less finish with McGuires scratch x and found a very nice looking neck underneath the flat poly spray on finish. Really, really helps the overall look of the banjo...pretty easy job on this banjo...hand rubbed, did not need to use the buffer
Appearance Rating: 8
replaced the original tuners with Goto's..the hooks etc. are OK..not great
Reliability Rating: 7
Good website etc....Elderly great as always
Customer Service: 9
Love the overall look, feel and playability now....replace the tuners, the head, polish the finish and it goes from looking like a $325 banjo to looking like a great banjo
Components Rating: 9
Went from OK to WOW after some very easy upgrades...I would be very upset if this were stolen and would replace it with the same model and upgrades
Overall Rating: 9
Where Purchased: FQMS
Year Purchased: 2006
Price Paid: 591 ($US)
I really was quite taken back by the tone. I sit and play for hours. The tone, while very different from my bluegrass banjo, is very haunting and pleasant
Sound Rating: 9
Outstanding set up
Setup Rating: 10
I think that the wood grain and finish is very lovely...not the fanciest Banjo in the world, but it is a mountain open back, so I really prefer that it is'nt.
Appearance Rating: not rated
So far so good, I can't see anything that would lead me to believe that there would be a problem
Reliability Rating: 9
Got a nice thank you note from the owner after I e-mailed in the warranty information.
Customer Service: 10
Don't see any areas of concern, all seems nice, esp. for the price paid.
Components Rating: 9
Yes, I would recommend. If stolen I would consider the same model, but might try a BC-350. I do love it, I think of it when I'm away from it. My favorite feature is the simple, but very pretty look of the instrument. Very happy with it.
Overall Rating: 9
Where Purchased: fqms
Year Purchased: 2006
Price Paid: Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
Sound Rating: not rated
Setup Rating: not rated
Appearance Rating: not rated
Reliability Rating: not rated
Jim really went out of his way to make sure that I got the right model, and on time for a Saturday night Jam...thanks!
Customer Service: 10
Components Rating: not rated
Overall Rating: not rated
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