rhythmdoctor - Posted - 04/18/2012:  10:24:44

Is anyone familiar with the Samick Artist Series banjo?  There are a couple on ebay and I like how they look.  I realize tone trumps looks but it doesn't hurt to have something cool looking too!

Celebrity owned Samick Artist Series - ebay.com/itm/BANJO-ARTIST-SERI...56f842550

Regular Samick Artist Series - ebay.com/itm/Samick-Artist-Ser...31c330e69

I'm not sure the additional cost of the celebrity owned Samick is worth it but I love the dark look of the banjo.

mtnpckr - Posted - 04/18/2012:  11:58:07

on close view of banjos, they appear to be the same model. The difference in color may be more due to lighting or quality of camera than any real difference. I guess a $300 difference is okay for a real celebrity like Earl or Dr Ralph but I'm not sure that the ones named have that kind of appeal/value.  Bridge, Dtuners, setup by Kyle add some I guess. Personally, I think $500 is about as much as I would pay for a Samick, which have an excellent reputation, btw. Good Luck.

lespik - Posted - 04/18/2012:  12:01:27

I have played a couple of these banjos. IMO , they are both over priced. Unless you are hooked on the looks of them, your money could be spent better.

skylark - Posted - 04/18/2012:  13:17:33

I have the Samick SB350 which is similar to the artist series but mine is gold plated. Not sure what else the difference is. Mine is walnut and very dark. It's also very heavy with the brass tone ring. It plays very nice to me but really don't have anything else to compare it too and haven't been to any jams yet to here what others sound like. No pickers around here where I live. I paid under $500 for mine and think I got a very good deal.

Samick SB350TT

beegee - Posted - 04/18/2012:  13:24:39

All that glitters is not gold. Samick=quantity not quality.

rhythmdoctor - Posted - 04/18/2012:  13:25:34

Thanks for the replies, folks!

rhythmdoctor - Posted - 04/18/2012:  13:26:48

So other than skylark, the consensus here is that even the $550 version is overpriced?

Can anyone point me in the direction of a different looking banjo that plays well?

me!!! - Posted - 04/18/2012:  14:15:47

Isn't that an oxymoron? Samick and artist in the same sentence?

skylark - Posted - 04/18/2012:  14:22:07

quote:

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Originally posted by beegee

All that glitters is not gold. Samick=quantity not quality.

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Just curious, Why would you say that? Have you played on one yourself so that you could compare it to others of this price range? I don't mean just heard one. Heck this doesn't sound the Best in my hands compared to someone that can really play the banjo. I'm just a beginner so like I said, It sound pretty good to me. I looked at the old favorites like Gold Tone and to be honest, it didn't sound any better or worse. Just didn't like the looks of them at all. And while on this topic, if the OP doesn't mind, anyone ever play on a Samick and could you give your honest opinion of them? Thanks

Jack

rhythmdoctor - Posted - 04/18/2012:  14:36:30

quote:

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Originally posted by skylark

quote:

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Originally posted by beegee

All that glitters is not gold. Samick=quantity not quality.

---

Just curious, Why would you say that? Have you played on one yourself so that you could compare it to others of this price range? I don't mean just heard one. Heck this doesn't sound the Best in my hands compared to someone that can really play the banjo. I'm just a beginner so like I said, It sound pretty good to me. I looked at the old favorites like Gold Tone and to be honest, it didn't sound any better or worse. Just didn't like the looks of them at all. And while on this topic, if the OP doesn't mind, anyone ever play on a Samick and could you give your honest opinion of them? Thanks

Jack

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 YES!  I'm curious also from folks who have played this brand/model.  

mtnpckr - Posted - 04/18/2012:  15:23:52

General info on Samick and other asian banjos on the late Paul Hawthornes site are useful.
paulhawthorne.com/asianbanjos/lz.htm

wkb28791 - Posted - 04/18/2012:  16:31:17

quote:

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Originally posted by rhythmdoctor

quote:

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Originally posted by skylark

quote:

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Originally posted by beegee

All that glitters is not gold. Samick=quantity not quality.

---

Just curious, Why would you say that? Have you played on one yourself so that you could compare it to others of this price range? I don't mean just heard one. Heck this doesn't sound the Best in my hands compared to someone that can really play the banjo. I'm just a beginner so like I said, It sound pretty good to me. I looked at the old favorites like Gold Tone and to be honest, it didn't sound any better or worse. Just didn't like the looks of them at all. And while on this topic, if the OP doesn't mind, anyone ever play on a Samick and could you give your honest opinion of them? Thanks

Jack

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 YES!  I'm curious also from folks who have played this brand/model.  

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 I used to think they were cheapo's that didn't hold their own. I purchased a Samick SB4 today because quite frankly, it sounds and plays better than my Huber and my Gibson.......and for a fraction of the cost. I'm keeping all of my banjo's and I will continue to try to find someone that can get these banjo's up to their potential but it hasn't happened yet.

While this banjo is inexpensive, it is well made. Alot of the Asian made banjo's are a lot better than given credit for.