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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!
7232 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: EBay
Year Purchased: 2004
Price Paid: 430 ($US) (bought USED)
I play bluegrass and clawhammer, this banjo does it all. It sounds sweet now that I have gotten some heavier gage strings on it and can really dig into it. The responater comes off with jsut a few twists, though stays on very securely, and converts to an open back in a snap. Very full sound with a great low end, I loosened the skin a little and it really has a mellow sweet spot right off the fingerboard. At this point, no dislikes.
Sound Rating: 9
Set up very well, from Janet Davis originally. Though the guy I purchased it from dia a little altering.
Setup Rating: 8
Very nice wood finish, the resonator is to be admired. The neck and back are a beautiful maple and it really looks dark and moody, i love it. the standard diamond inlay is not to fancy but fits the sound and style. When I upgrade I'm going to have so much inlay you won't be able to look directly at it.
Appearance Rating: 7
The hardware seems sturdy. It appears the tuning pegs will have to be tightened or adjusted on occasion, but right now I ain't fixin nuthin cux nuthins broke.
Reliability Rating: 9
NA
Customer Service: not rated
Nothing really stands out other than the sound. I've played it with a few other banjoists, one of which was playing a pre-war Gibson and the consensus was my banjo sounded as good as many there, maybe not the Gibson...
One friend is selling his Deering Goodtime and getting a real good banjo for a good price.
Components Rating: 8
I would recomend it. Even seasoned banjo snobs are surprised at what I paid and the quality of the sound. If the banjo was stolen, I'd neither sleep nor eat till the perpetrator saw justice.
Overall Rating: 9
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