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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: Direct from Randall Wyatt
OK, time for a quick word about these picks. I like 'em. A lot.
They seem / feel heavier and thicker than the others I've used modeled on old Nationals. Also, the blade shape seems bigger and fatter in the middle. Finally, the blades are straight, and not cupped, as many now are.
The thickness and flat blade make it such that bending the pick gives them a more "angular" or definitive crease at the bend point, if that hopefully makes some sense. Doesn't seem to be better or worse, just different.
The metal bands are shorter than National type picks. I have skinny fingers, so this is a very helpful feature for me. That's because now the bands don't overlap when I adjust them to fit my fingers.
The main reason I like them is that I seem to be able to pull fatter tone with the lighter touch I always aim to use. I tend to 'bear down' too much when picking, and getting my hand loose and constantly working on smoothing out my pick strike while keeping it full across the pick blade has been a constant effort.
With these picks I feel those efforts are paying off. I've had them maybe a week or so now, and the whole feel of them somehow helps me keep my strike lighter. The tone I'm getting sounds better to me, and that's why I'm taking the time to write the review.
As always, YMMV. But if your issue is similar, that is, if you need to work on lightening up your touch, and smoothing out your right hand, you might consider giving these picks a try.
Overall Rating: 10
Honestly... I can't add anything to the long and detailed descriptions of Chris's impeccable work.
I'll just say this... Chris took my old Gibson conversion (to flathead and 5 string) and brought out its very, very best. We all know (and Chris agrees) that not all banjos are created equal, including prewars, both conversions and original flatheads. But if you know there's good stuff in there that's not coming out, Chris will dial it in.
When I brought it in I handed it to Chris with a smile, because it's a good banjo for which I wanted a complete going-over to be confident that its full capacities would be expressed. He picked it for less than 10 seconds and said, "Well, it sounds a little pinched." I was floored. What? We tore it down completely. And guess what? The ring was too tight on the rim, as it wasn't able to move freely. I was floored. He heard that. In less than 10 seconds.
It helps, by the way, that Chris is an incredible banjo player. Holy cow, the man can pick. Yeah brother!
We saw that the work on the conversion neck (by an unknown luthier) was quite poor at the heel. There were all sorts of tiny issues throughout the banjo that I won't enumerate, but he showed every one of them to me.
Biggest modification was to the heel of the neck. Chris actually built it out with little blocks of beautiful mahogany and recarved the heel. It now fits perfectly. Neck set, new frets, lag bolts etc etc etc. And it took him some time, not only because he's backed up, but because he won't rush it. In fact, he keeps each banjo around after stringing it up at least a week, if not more, so that it can settle in just a little and have a final tweak.
I picked it up while at SPBGMA a few days ago. Only change we decided to make was to try another bridge.
I just can't tell you how thrilled I am. Man, this thing has that elusive "old" tone and resonance. I brought it back and everyone who played it was blown away within moments of the first strum. One guy who knows about these things pronounced it the best banjo he'd played all weekend, including numbers of the original flatheads that were there.
Well, all that's subjective, of course. So here's the thing:
If you want your banjo to be its very, very best, Chris Cioffi is the luthier for you.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: www.prewargibsonbanjos.com
I decided to change how I use a banjo strap from putting my head through the strap and letting the banjo hang from my left shoulder, to putting the strap on my right shoulder... the old style way, I guess. The reason is that doing so has helped stabilize my right hand more, that is, has helped my right hand move much less and therefore improve my consistency.
Jim Mills's strap is relatively short -- 51" long -- and much narrower -- 5/8" wide -- than most straps.
Having the strap this narrow allows me to keep making small adjustments of how the banjo hangs from shoulder, which at this point I seem to need to do more frequently. Also, for some reason it gives me a greater sense of location of the banjo on my shoulder; the wider straps seem to spread out, or diffuse my sense of how the banjo hangs.
I don't know how much sense that makes, but it's the best I can describe it.
The strap is made of beautiful, thick leather. The stitching is rock solid. It has my favorite attachment design: each end has a stitched loop, so you choose which hooks you want to use, loosen the nut on the hook so that you can maneuver the hook, slide the hook through the strap loop, then tighten the nut once again. Completely solid, "set it and forget it." The strap comes in a plain strip of leather, or with a slight radius or curve designed into it... I thought that looked nice, and ordered that style.
As with all new leather straps, I soak a rag with Glovolium (at sports stores, made to use on new baseball gloves), and rub the stuff into the strap. That softens the leather up real nice.
Absolutely the narrowest strap out there, and of the highest construction quality. It costs $40, with $6 shipping (you can ship up to five items and ship for $6).
If this is what you want... this is the strap to get. Go to Jim's website, www.prewargibsonbanjos.com, and check it out. Payment is through PayPal, to jimmillsbanjo@msn.com.
Barnet in SoCal
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-->Earl: the one… the only….
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Direct from Jeff Hoffee through website
This is a superb case.
In SoCal I'm out in direct and indirect heat a lot, and my banjos have suffered in the past. I decided on a Hoffee case because of the option to install an interior layer of Thinsulate insulation to help protect the banjo from heat, as well as the option to choose the exterior color. So I selected a white case with green felt and extra insulation.
The white carbon fiber shell is smooth and beautifully shaped (Jeff recently tweaked the exterior shape of his banjo cases). The latches are black, and there are black rubber feet as well. I haven't tried throwing the loaded case out of a moving car or off a building like in the videos ;-) but the nice, tight fit and the extensive neck support make me much more comfortable traveling with this case than the standard one I'd used before.
This is a top quality case and it's expensive. But it's a one-time purchase and my banjo needs protection from the elements and from accidental damage, so I consider it a good investment.
Jeff was very helpful and direct on the customer service end as well.
A great choice among the top hard cases available today.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Directly from Bill Adams
Not much to add to other reviews... which in itself is really something. These are the real deal. They look great, they are solid like a rock, they get the job done and get it done right. If you are keeping your banjo for good, just screw the unit on the back of the peghead, set it up, and you're good to go. Ingenious tuning mechanism. Excellent feel on using the knobs. No problem for me getting used to tuning the 3rd string button the "other" way, in fact, I truly prefer it this way. I checked 'em all out, and these are the way to go. I just ordered a second set for my other banjo. These work. 'Nuff said.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Directly from Steve Gill
See all the other reviews. Elegant, effective, unobtrusive... It gets the job done. And I love not have a stupid looking tuner clamped up on the peghead.
I've tried about five or six tuners, and the Snark is the one I like best. This bracket makes it darn near close to perfect.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: BHO Classifieds
Year Purchased: 2011
Price Paid: ($US) (bought USED)
This banjo has an excellent tonal range up and down, from low to high ends. Its volume is excellent, and it has that rolled brass hoop funky sound that, to me, is so great for clawhammer.
Sound Rating: 7
This was already setup by the previous owner. I'll probably raise the action, since that's my preference. I'll probably try a Fyberskin head sometime down the road if I get so inspired.
Setup Rating: 6
This banjo definitely exceeds expectations given its price point. In terrific condition, with very attractive stain on the wood and a classic look.
Appearance Rating: 7
The hardware seems OK enough, and while there is better hardware around I think it was an appropriate choice for this instrument.
Reliability Rating: 5
N / A
Customer Service: not rated
Components Rating: not rated
I have to say that this banjo gets an overall rating of '10'. I don't really think there is anything at this price point that gets you so much banjo for the admission fee! After studying things I figured this was the best starter banjo for clawhammer given the price, and having it my hands I'd say that's so.
Fantastic job by Gold Tone!
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Direct from Doug Hutchens
I have two sets of National oval 8 picks. I love 'em even though they aren't real comfortable because I've never found I could get quite the same tone from any of the other picks I tried. And one day these old Nationals are going to be just about played out or, more likely knowing me, I'm going to lose the darn things somewhere. So I've been looking for new picks to have as replacements or, at least, backups.
And I tried lots of other picks... go through the names of modern picks, including the newer Nationals, as well as the older Dunlops, and I tried them all at one point or another.
For a while last year I thought I'd switch to Shelors. I used them for a bunch of months because I just love how they glide off the strings. Absolutely no drag whatsoever. And they are comfortable. But I found they were too big for me in that they were kind of clunky on my skinny old fingers, and I kept scratching the sides of them together as I picked. The tone I got from them was also quite different from that from the Nationals in being more bright, and although I tried to talk myself into liking the tone, I just couldn't do it.
So it was back to the oval 8's. Not that that's a bad thing! It's just that I didn't want to face of lifetime of hunting down oval 8's. Not fun.
Then I thought I'd try one more type that had always been kind of under the radar for me but I hadn't sprung for: Roy's Own. In fact, I didn't know about them until I started hanging out on the Hangout a little over a year ago when I started playing again after a many year layoff.
I contacted Doug Hutchens through the Hangout PM system and got a pair.
Well now... these are the real thing. Their shape is not exactly the same, but the tone I can pull with them is as good or, dare I say, maybe even a little better than the old Nationals. Honestly, I haven't had this reaction with any of the other ones I've tried. I was so happy that I ordered a few more sets just to have them.
Doug was just great, real easy going and a pleasure to deal with. And he included a great pamphlet about some of the many players in Monroe's band over the years (of which Doug was one).
I used them at a performance a few weeks ago and was very, very happy.
So for those of you who are stuck on old Nationals and looking for something to have as a standby, or even as a replacement, I'd say give these good old Roy's Own picks a try.
No financial connection or interest etc etc etc etc, just a very satisfied (and frankly kinda surprised) customer.
And as always......
...YMMV!
Barnet in SoCal
Order directly from Doug Hutchens. His email address is dmhutchens@aol.com, and he'll give you cost info. Pay him through PayPal.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Huber Banjos
Year Purchased: 2010
Price Paid: Blood Sweat and Tear ()
historic exchange rates / currency converter
I spent a day in the shop with Steve Huber playing several of his new banjos, his vintage RB 75, and a Frankenstein banjo made of a vintage Kel Kroyden rim and resonator with new metal and a new neck. Nothing touches that 75. The Kel Kroyden was really great! But this Kalamazoo is the best new banjo I've ever heard, period. It has the sound I was looking for; I can only say that whatever the best vintage Mastertones must have sounded like when they were new, this one is right in the ballpark and maybe even better. Full tonal range from high to low frequencies, incredible clarity, balanced all the way up the neck, and that indescribable something that is the Gibson Mastertone sound. I actually think it sounds a lot like the Kalamazoo sound clips they have on the website.
Sound Rating: 10
Steve set the banjo up a day or two before I got there, so it's settling in. It currently rattles a bit on the 4th string, and there's something funky going on on the 2nd string up around the 13th and 14th fret, but I figure it just needs some time. It's a minor issue in the long run. Steve's setup is impeccable.
Setup Rating: 9
Gorgeous. Mahogany, style 3-type resonator, and a straight grain maple neck.
Appearance Rating: 10
Yup on all counts.
Reliability Rating: 10
I can't believe how generous Jim and Steve were on the phone answering questions and talking banjos before I arrived. They never made me feel like they were rushed or pressed for time. They don't answer email promptly... it's pretty old school around there regarding communication, so phone is definitely the way to go.
Customer Service: 9
Lordy, where to begin? All I can say is that this banjo works, and I'm betting it has a lot to do with the choice of straight grain maple for the neck.
Components Rating: 10
Again, this is by far the best new banjo I've ever heard or played, bar none, in more than twenty years. Cain't say much more thn' that.
Of course, if you prefer non-Mastertone style banjos then please move along, nothing to see here... :)
Overall Rating: 10
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