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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!
7237 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: Woodwind & Brasswind, South Bend, IN
Year Purchased: 2008
Price Paid: Christmas gift ($US)
Very good overall for a variety of tones, it's bright and loud for bluegrass but can sound mellow enough for solo fiddle tunes or vocal accompaniment.
Sound Rating: 10
Had a bad 5th string buzz when I got it, I had to work on the guide notch to eliminate. I changed to medium gauge strings & adlusted tailpiece tension & tweaked the truss rod to suit myself.
Setup Rating: 6
It's purty ! ! Nice inlays, gold hardware, nice finish. My wife likes it more than I do.
Appearance Rating: 10
I've read complaints about the plating wearing off,esp. on the armrest, but I haven't had that problem. It weighs a ton but is solidly put together,stays in tune well. I can't see why I would need a backup.
Reliability Rating: 10
Never dealt with Fender, I do my own setups & repairs.
Customer Service: 5
I haven't changed any parts out yet, seems to be no need to, though I have been thinking of going to a black head and ebony buttons for the cool factor.
Components Rating: 10
Plays, sounds, and looks good. The only issues might be in factory setup.
Overall Rating: 9
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