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pcrevfl - Posted - 11/26/2025: 06:58:55
I just purchased this banjo from a guy on FB. He didn't play banjo himself but had kept it in storage for over 20 years with the intention to learn. (I believe this model was from the 90's and it and the case look like new.) I was really impressed and surprised by how well this banjo is made and plays! (It looks tremendous with the gold plating, curly maple back and neck, carvings, nice inlays and a clear head.) However, I have noticed that (1.) there are no reviews of this particular model to be found on the internet, and (2.) most of the Samick banjo reviews are negative (maybe because they are of their cheaper models.) I used to have a Washburn B-17 and this Samick makes me think it was a very close cousin. (Some sources said that Samick made models for Washburn so I wouldn't be surprised to find out they were made in the same factory.) Anyway, I was wondering if anyone else has had any experience with this particular model.
pcrevfl - Posted - 11/26/2025: 07:06:11
Thought I would post a couple more pics of the banjo
Old Hickory - Posted - 11/26/2025: 07:38:11
quote:
Originally posted by pcrevfl
Some sources said that Samick made models for Washburn so I wouldn't be surprised to find out they were made in the same factory.
Welcome to the Hangout.
Yes. At one time, Samick was the largest instrument maker in the world. They made instruments sold under their own name and were contract manufacturers for American companies or brands including Washburn, Epiphone, Fender, Morgan Monroe, Hondo and others I can't remember right now.
As you've seen, the banjos were very similar -- sometimes identical, even though the different brands (US importers) did sometimes have some cosmetic differences to visually distinguish their otherwise structurally identical instruments. The carved necks, for example. I recall seeing import banjos with two-piece flanges in the 80s that copied the Gibson RB-800 and then banjos with one-piece flange that copied no particular Gibson model but often had one of the Gibson pre-war inlay patterns. I assume the Masterclone banjos had the same rim, tone ring, flange and other hardware.
These were good looking banjos. Many of us think Samick was going more bling than performance. But these instruments did fill a need and place in the market. Today, as well-priced used instruments, they still do.
Edited by - Old Hickory on 11/26/2025 07:43:02
GrahamHawker - Posted - 11/26/2025: 10:01:24
The gold suggests it's the top end of the Samick made banjos. I think these had brass tone rings and possibly three ply rims. No one really lets on about such things even the companies that had them rebadged for them. Although Washburn do say the B17 (which as you perceived is the same banjo) has a brass tone ring. We had others like that in Europe such as Ozark and Countryman. Lesser but still half decent models like the Epiphone MB250 had tone rings made of some cheaper alloy.
Because they also made a lot of cheap banjos as well and sometimes put their name on those as well the reviews are less favourable. However I always like to suggest that if the same banjo had a recognisable name on the peghead where the reviews would be more favourable.
1935tb-11 - Posted - 11/26/2025: 10:47:09
that one is one of the better banjos under 800 bucks. they can be made to sound very good... i had a washburn similar to it and worked on it for a while a got it sounding great... sold it to a guy as a christmas present for his sons first banjo. they are loud for sure.
