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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!
7200 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: Music Store
Year Purchased: 2024
Price Paid: Don't Remember (bought USED)
historic exchange rates / currency converter
With a proper setup it sounds great, easy playing, clear and clean notes over the whole fret board.
Sound Rating: 9
Initially it did not play well and sounded horrible but being an OME, I figured that could all be corrected. When I purchased the banjo it had the wrong crown head, improper bridge, tailpiece mounted incorrectly, and excessive relief in the fret board over .30 at the 7th fret and the action was high. This banjo had at least two previous owners and I am positive it did not leave OME setup the way I found it. Once high-quality correct components were installed with a proper setup, it became an easy playing and wonderful sounding banjo. I found the truss rod adjustment a little challenging because you must remove the neck to access the adjusting nut.
Setup Rating: 8
I agree with the original owner Tony Gillispie's review on Banjo Hangout 10/10/2010 of the appearance ---- “This banjo is made of walnut and maple. Craftsmanship is outstanding with both wood and hardware. It has a style D Baldwin neck and Mastertone style pot with a Gibson one piece flange, very pretty banjo.”
Appearance Rating: 10
I have owned this banjo for a short time, but I am certain it will be very reliable. The quality of build speaks for itself, as does Chuck Ogsbury's reputation and the reputation of OME.
Reliability Rating: 10
I have never delt with OME before and it just recently changed hands. Now owned by Gold Tone and they are in the process of getting the OME shop up and running in Florida. I have dealings with Gold Tone before and they were friendly and helpful.
Customer Service: 9
Nothing needed to be upgraded, but I did choose to take the Keith D tuners off and because I did not have two Waverly tuners to replace the Keith’s with, I installed a set of Rickard tuners with amber buttons that I had. I thought the amber buttons looked nice on it. I did keep the Waverly 5th string tuner on it and the original tuners and buttons are being kept with the banjo.
Components Rating: 10
Quoted from Tony Gillispie’s review “4936” on Banjo Hangout 10/10/2010
“Sorry I don’t have a model for this banjo but OME built it for me and that name stands for a lot. In my opinion, OME has the best craftsmanship offered. I have a Gibson, a Stelling and the OME. The OME is the best playing banjo I have.”
To add my comments, the Model listed on the OME warranty card is OME Baldwin Megatone 200 Serial Number 4936, and Tony Gillispie is stamped inside the rim. The neck has the current OME 26 ¼” scale not the earlier Baldwin 27 1/8” scale, and it does have the propeller inlay. I would think that all four were made this way. This banjo is a keeper for me along with my Deering GDL.
The following is an excerpt from an email Tanya Ogsbury sent to the previous owner’s daughter’s inquiry. Apparently she contacted Tanya trying to find out about the banjo. It seems they may have been told it was not an OME and was just a banjo made of parts.
Hi Tanya,
I read some of your input on the user forums. It's obvious that you are well thought of in the industry. Your help is greatly appreciated in helping me identify this banjo. I have attached a picture of the warranty card. It says "Baldwin" in quotes and the banjo does say Baldwin on the neck. The body, however, says ome in several places and has the ome logo in several places and the serial number on the inside. I will send you some other pictures from my iPhone--One at a time of course, since it's an iPhone.
Is it possible that you guys would have custom made a banjo in 2005 with a Baldwin neck? I don't know where ya'II draw the line.
Thanks and God Bless You,
Tanya Ogsbury’s response to the inquiry
“Ah-ha!!
This info helped. I guess you bought the banjo from Tony Gillispie in Texas? We custom made this banjo for him, with a Gibson style flange at his request. It is walnut with ebony, and nickel plated OME hardware (except that flange.) The neck was one of 4 we milled around 2000.
This is a rare banjo!
We call it an "OME Baldwin". It's a copy of my father's original design, the Style D, which was part of the ODE Banjo line when he sold ODE to Baldwin.
When Baldwin first made the ODEs, they used a banner on the peghead and engraved with Baldwin.” Congratulations!!!
Tanya
Overall Rating: 9
Where Purchased: Eagle Music (UK)
Year Purchased: 2024
Price Paid: (GBP)
historic exchange rates / currency converter
The banjo has a full warm tone with loads of sustain. It can be bright or mellow depending on the playing style. It's really loud when you give it some welly, but it never sounds harsh or brash.
Sound Rating: 10
The setup was faultless. It was even in tune when it arrived.
Setup Rating: 10
I chose the walnut / brass options. The finish is flawless and it looks incredible!
Appearance Rating: 10
The wood, hardware and contruction are all spot-on. I can see this instrument lasting a lifetime. I haven't had it long, but you can feel the quility in every aspect of the banjo. I would be suprised if the banjo let me down.
Reliability Rating: 10
The customer service at Eagle Music is second to none. Highly recommended.
Customer Service: 10
The aged brass hardware looks and feels fantastic. None of the parts feel cheap or likely to fail. I added a walnut arm rest and swapped out the factory bridge for a compensated one as I had good experiences with them in the past. It came in a very high quality branded gig bag.
Components Rating: 10
I'm really pleased with the instrument so far. It's fantastic!
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Smakula Fretted Instruments
Year Purchased: 2024
Price Paid: 1475 ($US)
Sound: full, bright, resonant. Impressive sustain. Strings harmonize beautifully with a brush of the hand.
Sound Rating: 10
Had to install and position the bridge upon delivery, but otherwise it was ready to tune and play.
Setup Rating: 8
I sold my bluegrass banjo to buy this, my fourth open back. One of the reasons I love the banjo as an instrument is its simplicity and portability, and a relatively ornate and heavy BG axe just doesn't speak to me. This banjo has a simple, traditional design that I find very appealing. Walnut neck, maple pot, rennaissance head.
Appearance Rating: 10
This is my second Tradesman. The first was a used fretless model. I cam easily see this becoming my "go everywhere" default.
The tuners seemed a bit slippy upon arrival, but they can be easily tightened up.
Reliability Rating: 8
My first time buying from Bob Smakula. Very polite, straightforward and accommodating. He was willing to hold the banjo on reserve while I finalized payment details on my end. I'll definitely buy from him again.
Customer Service: 10
No complaints, though I've never preferred Richlite to wood. However, I hear Richlite lasts forever and that I will not have to replace the frets this way, so I am willing to revise my opinion.
Components Rating: 9
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Banjoteacher.com
Year Purchased: 2024
Price Paid: 3699 ($US)
Clear and clean everywhere including up to high frets.
Rich warm tones at middle and lower notes
Speaks and rings with a light touch/low volume.
Speaks and rings with a harder touch/high volume.
Sound Rating: 10
I was impressed and pleased that the banjo arrived thoroughly and accurately set up, with the right action tolerances, etc.
I believe Gold Tone set it up at their Florida shop.
Setup Rating: 10
The inlay work is very good, and I find it pretty. It is probably not considered "great" (under a magnifying glass by inlay experts), because it is probably done by machines in China, which I am thankful for because of affordability. Yay for technology in manufacturing, and for international trade.
There were no flaws in the finish.
I love the flat rubbed mahogany finish on neck and resonator.
Overall, I like how it looks. But looks to me are of much lesser importance compared to sound and playability.
Appearance Rating: 10
All hardware is totally top quality.
Reliability Rating: 10
banjo teacher.com (Ross Nickerson) was great to work with, and answered the phone, and kept me updated. It took a couple of weeks to receive the banjo, probably due to assembling my specific choices (tuning peg/tail piece).
There have been no issues requiring repair or warranty.
Customer Service: 10
Great stuff: zero-glide nut, wide neck, quality frets, radius neck, tall bridge, wood-like armrest, high ratio tuning pegs.
Components Rating: 10
I have been playing a custom made Robin Smith radius neck banjo for about 12 years. I love that thing and substituted a hard wood tone ring some years ago. It is a great banjo, thanks to the craftsmanship and care of the late Robin Smith.
This banjo is another concept. The whole up-sizing of the architecture from the original Gibson set up is revolutionary in a good way. I am talking about the slightly wider string spacing, the much taller bridge, and the more guitar-like neck dimensions. It comes together to produce a responsive, expansive sound, with plenty of both clarity and warmth.
Thank you Bela and thank you Gold Tone. This banjo is inspiring me to play a lot more and to pay more attention to my playing. The notes ring clear and true all over the neck. It feels as good as it sounds.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Morgan Music
Year Purchased: 2024
Price Paid: 4200. ($US)
I am a new player, just learning actually, I wanted a new banjo and saw this one on Reverb. Not knowing anything about banjo makers etc... I bought this one because it was an archtop. WOW the clarity and quality of sound are amazing. Did I luck out! I've heard Gibsons played on you tube and this Hopkins banjo is on par. It is a by far a better sounding banjo than I deserve. Hopefully someday I'll be worthy of it.
Sound Rating: 10
Morgan Music set it up for me before shipping.
Setup Rating: 10
It's so beautiful. The plating shines and the inlay shine changes colors as the light travels across it. I think the inlay is called a Star pattern. It's gorgeous, especially on the ebony fret board.
Appearance Rating: 10
Banjo is heavy compared to my others, and seems extremely well made. I'm not good enough to play gigs, etc... But if I were.... I certainly would use it.
Reliability Rating: 10
The resonator had a small issue, I talked to both Paul and David. David tried to repair it, But ended up sending me a new resonator. Both were quite nice, and a joy to deal with.
They seem like the kind of people you wish were your friends or neighbors.
Customer Service: 10
Don't see any weak or cheap parts.
Components Rating: 10
Not knowing much about banjos and their makers, I consider myself so lucky to have bought a Hopkins Banjo. I love this banjo so much I am hoping to buy another one from them, a flat top. Then I'll have all the banjos I'll ever need. I'd also like to add, that for some reason I'm a better player when I play it. Not because it sounds so great, but it seems like I make less mistakes. It's as if my fingers glide along smoother, hammer on easier, and pull off easier. (pull offs still difficult for me though, just easier) At 60 plus years of age I've never spent this much money on myself at any given time. It is so worth the price.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Calkins Banjos (through Reverb)
Year Purchased: 2024
Price Paid: 1300 (approximately) ($US)
Full, deep tone. Almost boomy, without sacrificing articulation. Ideal for clawhammer.
Sound Rating: 9
Arrived in perfect condition, set up and ready to play. Absolutely no complaints.
Setup Rating: 10
Simply appointed, but with lovely woods and finish. I can't stand blingy banjos, so this is perfect for me. It balances an elegant look with earth-toned colors and a muted beauty.
Appearance Rating: 9
Seems like it will last me a good long while.
Reliability Rating: 8
Nate was very communicative and kept me updated on the status of my order.
Customer Service: 10
All parts appear to be top-notch.
Components Rating: 9
I am hard to please when it comes to new instruments, but I loved this banjo's voice from the first notes I accidentally created when I was unwrapping it. The 12" pot and the thin rim make for a haunting tone that possesses both depth, resonance, and impressive volume --especially for an instrument with no tone ring. When playing the low notes, it almost reminds me of a cello banjo. I am clawhammering my way through one of Wayne Erbsen's tutorial books, and this beauty really brings an excitement to these timeless old tunes.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Secondhand
Year Purchased: 2024
Price Paid: 108€ (€) (bought USED)
historic exchange rates / currency converter
Honestly, it has a good sound if you play bluegrass. For clawhammer I don't like the sound too much because has a lot of tone.
Sound Rating: 6
It is easy to setup, when I first got it I just needed to tune it and I could start playing.
Setup Rating: 8
The materials of the banjo are cheap, but they are good. For a beginner cheap banjo you dont need anything more. The appearance is good and the armrest is comfortable for the wrist.
Appearance Rating: 7
The tuning heads are a bit soft but they keep the tuning. The materials seems to last for a long period of time, so if you don't do anything that could harm the banjo it will survive a lot of years
Reliability Rating: 7
I buy It secondhand so nothing to add here
Customer Service: not rated
I would upgrade the tuning heads because they seem that they are going to fall out. Nothing more to add here, all seems good for this beginner banjo, almost all parts are cheap but that doesn't mean they are weak.
Components Rating: 6
Good beginner banjo mostly for bluegrass. It's definitely better that the cheap Amazon banjos. If you want to start playing bluegrass banjo without spending a lot this is an option I would choose
Overall Rating: 6
Where Purchased: Stone Banjo Company (in-person)
Year Purchased: 2024
Price Paid: $1290 ($US)
My new Stone Banjo Company Half Fretless 12" is both rich and full sounding while retaining enough crispness to let the melody and fretless slides stand out. Sustain all day if you want it. Spot on for Round Peak, rhythmic tunes and a generous dose of melody as well!
Sound Rating: 10
Steve Gerritsen, owner of Stone Banjo Company and the sole builder of Stone Banjos, handed me the banjo on Thursday, February 15th, 2024 and I've been playing it exactly as delivered ever since. The attention to setup detail is amazing!
Setup Rating: 10
This banjo is not only beautiful, it is built to be played. Sturdy, but not overbuilt. Lightweight with a good solid feel.
12" Cherry block thin, deep rim. Walnut rim cap.
Wood Tone Ring
Cherry neck with walnut center strip
Rosewood fretboard and peghead overlay.
Handmade brass tension hoop.
Brass plate up to 7th fret.
Beautiful!
Appearance Rating: 10
This Stone Company banjo will be played for decades! Beyond my time - sure hope one of my daughters keeps it going (but don't ask me for it anytime soon.)
Top notch hardware and finish.
This banjo has already made the stage and will continue to be my teaching and gigging player.
It's meant to be played!
Reliability Rating: 10
Steve Gerritsen at Stone Banjo Company was a true pleasure to work with. A visit to his shop, if you can swing it, is worth a million words here.
From wood choice to pot size, to neck width, to scale length, to inlay, to brass plates, to peghead shapes ... Steve is with you every step of the way. Regular updates on progress.
Excellent warranty.
Visit the Stone Banjo Company website for all the details!
Hope to continue to get to know Steve and play a few tunes with him!
Customer Service: 10
Components: Simply: All components are handmade and/or top of the line. No shortcuts here!
Components Rating: 10
Mark Twain said:
When you want genuine music—music that will come right home to you like a bad quarter, suffuse your system like strychnine whisky, go right through you like Brandreth’s pills, ramify your whole constitution like the measles, and break out on your hide like the pin-feather pimples on a picked goose,—when you want all this, just smash your piano, and invoke the glory-beaming banjo!
My new Stone Banjo Company Half Fretless banjo makes me smile even more than that Mark Twain quote!
I've posted a couple of sample Stone Banjo Company banjo tunes on my page.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased:
Year Purchased:
Price Paid: Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
Sound Rating: not rated
Setup Rating: not rated
Appearance Rating: not rated
Reliability Rating: not rated
Customer Service: not rated
Components Rating: not rated
Overall Rating: 9
Where Purchased: from Zach Hoyt
Year Purchased: 2024
Price Paid: 1226 ($US)
I had Zach put some thicker stings on it so I can tune to A. Works OK for G tuning, too. Sounds great, not toto bright like some small pot banjos do.
Sound Rating: 10
Good to go out of the box.
Setup Rating: 10
Absolutely stunning appearance. Curly maple pot and neck with a contrasting padauk neck stripe, rim cap, heel cap, and arm rest. Pau Ferro fretboard and peghead overlay. White tuners. Best looking banjo I have ever seen.
Appearance Rating: 10
I have had it only a week but the materials are all high quality and I expect to not have any issues.
Reliability Rating: 10
It took me a few years to get this order in - changed my mind a million times on specs, and was out of commission due to medical issues for awhile but Zach was patient and easy to deal with, will make a custom banjo the way you want it.
Customer Service: 10
Components Rating: 10
This C scale (19 3/4 inch) banjo is perfect for me in my old age. Easy to play, not too small. Great full sound.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Banjo Teacher Ross Nickerson
Year Purchased: 2024
Price Paid: 309 ($US)
At first, I wasn't crazy about the sound. Sounded a bit shrill or sharp to my ears, especially placed next to my Enoch Tradesman. I changed the head from Ren to Fiberskyn and that changed everything. More in line with what you might expect from a 12" pot. More plunky. Still with good volume. I was concerned that the Fiberskyn head would deaden the sound. Someone on the Hangout described it's effect like "4 flat tires on a muddy road".. Not the case here.
Sound Rating: 9
Set up was fine. I will change the bridge when the one I ordered comes in. It was pretty easy to change the head. I was quoted $200 by a local luthier so saved that money by doing it myself.
Setup Rating: 9
Looks better than I expected. Definitely not used to a banjo that doesn't have some kind of exotic wood.
Appearance Rating: 8
Hard to tell about the components. I assume they're on the less expensive side of things. I'm taking it to an open mic this weekend rather than the Enoch. And now that I have a more than adequate second banjo this is the one coming with me on overseas trips.
Reliability Rating: 8
I trust Ross Nickerson. He responded to my avalanche of questions pretty rapidly.
Customer Service: 10
I like the neck and peghead a lot.. One problem is that I can't find a way to install an arm rest. I like to use the wire ones that Bob Smakula had, but the flange on the AC 12 A is in the way. I'm still gonna look around.
Components Rating: 8
Like I said I was mostly looking for a reliable 12" banjo I could take overseas. I put them in padded bags and up into the overhead compartments. But I always made sure I had an aisle seat so I could stand in the aisle during boarding and make sure no one put some heavy valise over the banjo. I was unsure how I would like the 23 1/2" scale length but found it so easy to get used to and preferable even to the 25 1/2" banjos I've been playing. Gold Tone hit a home run here and I've owned a number of their banjos over the years. I was gonna give it an 8 for overall rating but I'm really liking it so a 9 it is. PS... I still put a piece of foam under the rod in the pot.
Overall Rating: 9
Where Purchased: Guitar Center
Year Purchased: 2024
Price Paid: 299 ($US)
Sound Rating: not rated
Setup Rating: not rated
Appearance Rating: not rated
Reliability Rating: not rated
Customer Service: not rated
Components Rating: not rated
I play clawhammer. I've been playing a Gold Tone AC Traveller for a while: composite rim, 23.5" scale. 11" head. I bought it to experiment with a shorter scale banjo. I like that scale for comfort and to play in open A with fiddlers. The tone and volume are OK for playing in the parlor. I just opened the box and took out my new AC12 A-scale banjo, same scale, 12" head, wider neck (1.375" at the nut), scoop. The composite rim is a little deeper than the Traveller. And the sound is really different. I can only conclude that the 12" head accounts for the difference. It has more low frequency, as you might expect, and is significantly louder than the Traveller. I really like this banjo. It hits my sweet spot with regards to neck width, scale length, and tone. I know a lot of builders are moving toward the short scale banjos, 12" pots, and wider necks; Gold Tone just made one that is mass produced and inexpensive. I'm not saying it is comparable to a custom hand-made banjo, only that I think it is going to be good enough for me until my hands are too arthritic to play (which really isn't that long from now).
Overall Rating: 8
Where Purchased: From Arthur Hatfield
Year Purchased: 2023
Price Paid: 3100 ($US)
I purchased this banjo sight unseen. Based on all the great things people say on here about Hatfield banjos, and the small handful of videos I have seen of Hatfields and Arthur working in his shop.
All these great things people say about Hatfield Banjos are true.
I am a new player and this was my first “upgrade” banjo from a Gold Tone CC-100R. The Hatfield absolutely blew my mind. The lows growl and the highs chime and when I lay into it, it responds accordingly. It has that “twang” and sweetness to its sound that is exactly what attracted me to the banjo in the first place.
There is also something special about that banjo that I cannot describe. I have since played a few big name banjos with big price tags on them, and though they were really nice banjos with amazing sound, they didn’t have “That Thing” that my Hatfield has. I feel very lucky to own that instrument every time I pick it up.
Sound Rating: 10
I haven’t had to change or adjust a thing. After over a month of hard playing and a road trip, even the head tension is still exactly where it was the day I unpacked it
Setup Rating: 10
It’s beautiful. The burl walnut is hard to take your eyes off of. And the finish work is like glass. It even smells great
Appearance Rating: 10
One of the things that attracted me to Hatfields was a video online of Arthur in his shop and seeing that it’s just him building these banjos by himself. The knowledge and love he has for his craft. The attention to detail and the fact that he is 100% focused on building that banjo, I have no doubt that every detail of this banjo was built with meticulous care and well over 30 years of banjo building experience behind it. And every part he put on this banjo has that knowledge and experience behind it.
It feels like a tank too. I haven’t played it at a professional gig, because I’m not there yet. But I did take it on a 1,000 mile road trip. From sea level to well over a mile up in the mountains and it played perfectly everywhere I went.
Reliability Rating: 10
Mr. Hatfield is a gentleman and a pleasure to talk to on the phone. My only regret was not going and meeting him in person. But I will be purchasing a Feud banjo from him in a few months when he completes it. When he does, I plan to make the long journey out there to pick it up in person this time.
Great guy!
Customer Service: 10
The whole banjo is the standout part. I wouldn’t change a thing about it. In fact I am buying a few sets of Arthur’s custom string sets from him because I don’t even want different strings on it!
Components Rating: 10
My Hatfield Banjo is a Hoss. You don't see them for sale too often for a reason.
If you have one, you know. If not, I would highly recommend getting your hands on one quick.
Also, the experience of buying one from Mr. Hatfield is a pleasure all its own
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Banjoteacher.com
Year Purchased: 2024
Price Paid: 699 ($US)
I play 3 finger with thumb + fingerpicks. I wanted a lightweight alternative to my other banjos. For what it is, an open back the sound is good after making a few adjustments (see setup).
Sound Rating: 8
It depends on your playing style. If you are looking for a clawhammer banjo it would be a 10.
I thought the action could be lowered, the strings could be lighter gauge, the head needed tightening and I changed the bridge.
It also came with a pickup. It attached to the coordinator rods and stuck out past the rim of the banjo. It was the first thing to touch your stomach when in the normal playing position. I removed on day 1.
Setup Rating: 5
Other than the whole in the rim where the pickup jack was, it's a good looking openback banjo. Classic design with planetary tuners, chrome engraved armrest and simple snowflake inlay on the fretboard.
Appearance Rating: 10
It is a solid banjo with dual coordinator rods, truss rod, and adjustable tailpiece. It stays in tune.
Reliability Rating: 10
Banjoteacher.com was very helpful, promptly answering all questions. I did reach out to Gold Tone about a fix to the hole where the pickup jack was. The sent me another pickup jack which I think was a miscommunication between us. Gold Tone offered to take it back in exchange for a model without the pickup. I decided to leave it as is for now. It's not enough of a bother for 2 banjos to ride in the brown truck.
Customer Service: 10
Aside from the pickup looking like an afterthought, I am pleased.
Quality planetary tuners, a better than entry level tailpiece, zero glide nut and engraved armrest.
Components Rating: 9
I would buy this banjo again, without the pickup. It is exactly what I wanted. A 22 fret openback that plays like a bluegrass banjo. I like how it is totally adjustable. I have the action at 3/16ths of an inch. I'm using GHS PF150 strings (10-12-14-22-10) and it rings clear. The bridge swap wasn't necessary but I had a Sosebee and wanted to try it.
Overall Rating: 9
Where Purchased: Individual
Year Purchased: 2024
Price Paid: Don't Remember (bought USED)
historic exchange rates / currency converter
Arthur has managed to capture the elusive "twang" and "growl" tonal qualities that bluegrass players are seeking. Hats off to Mr. Hatfield. I hope he continues to make banjos for many more years.
Sound Rating: 10
Had to do a little tweaking, as always with a different banjo.
Setup Rating: 8
A nice, non-flashy mahogany banjo with gull inlay.
Appearance Rating: 9
This is a 2007 model that has held up well and I think it will continue to do so. For now it will be my off-stage banjo for practice and jam sessions.
Reliability Rating: 10
I have not yet dealt with Arthur personally but those who have say he is the greatest.
Customer Service: 10
Everything looks top-notch.
Components Rating: 10
If you are looking for a banjo that spits out that bluegrass sound with plenty of volume to boot, you can't go wrong with a Hatfield.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Amazon.com
Year Purchased: 2023
Price Paid: 274 ($US)
OK, no problems with that
Sound Rating: 6
Setup a little low even with the 5//8" bridge, so I changed to a higher 11/16" bridge, a bit easier to play. However, and this was critical to me, I purchased this as a camping / tinkering banjo, and the specs. on both the Amazon and Saga websites for this model clearly state that the scale length is 25.5". I wanted a banjo with that scale length so I could tune the strings up and not have to use a capo to tune to A or Double D tuning. When I received it and measured the scale, it was 26 and 1/4", so I returned it.
Setup Rating: 3
Appearance Rating: 7
Reliability Rating: 5
Customer Service: not rated
Components Rating: 5
See the comments about about setup and scale length. I thought I was getting a banjo that was, according to its specs, 25.5" scale length, but it turned out to be 26 and 1/4". Returned the banjo.
Overall Rating: 3
Where Purchased: From Maker
Year Purchased: 2023
Price Paid: $1,260 ($US)
Beautiful deep sound but not very loud
Sound Rating: 10
Perfect
Setup Rating: 10
Gorgeous, very simple, no ornamentation. Fine finish. Handsome brass hardware.
Appearance Rating: 10
Looks slightly more fragile than a modern banjo, but it is simple and should last. I ordered with geared tuners to avoid slipping when playing
Reliability Rating: 9
Maker was very easy to deal with and responsive
Customer Service: 10
It is a replica Boucher and it is hard to gauge in comparison to a modern banjo, but the components look beautiful and the geared tuners look like classic friction tuners.
Components Rating: 10
I saw the picture of this replica Boucher and saw the incredible low price. The banjo looked beautiful--very much like the one Rhiannon Giddens plays--but at a much lower price than other replica Boucher Minstrels. It plays beautifully, though there is a learning curve I am still working on. My sense is that I will get better and the banjo will seem even better.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Bonners,Eastborne
Year Purchased: 2023
Price Paid: 349 (UK £)
historic exchange rates / currency converter
Quite loud and similar to Deering Goodtime 2
Sound Rating: 8
Bonners did a good job it has quite a low action - 2 mm at the twelfth fret but no string buzz anywhere. This action suits me very well because it makes the instrument very playable. It seemed a bit too brassy but then I realised that the tail piece tip was touching the head so I backed it off so that it was around 1.5 mm clear and that improved the mellow tone and improved the sound of the base D string considerably. I have told Bonners this.
Setup Rating: 8
A very smart lookin banjo for the price, soft finshed natural maple coloured neck and resonator, al metal well chromed.
Appearance Rating: 9
I really don't have enough knowledge to comment in this area as I am a novice.
Reliability Rating: 6
Bonners have a good reputation developed over 50 years. The makers are Stentor, a British company that designed the instrument which was subsequently made to a high standard in China. Stentor have been in the "strings" business for over 100 years.
Customer Service: 10
Remo head as might be expected, truss rod and single co-ordinator. Rolled brass tone ring and laminated maple shell.
Components Rating: 9
Others have commented that it has a great and loud tone for such a reasonable price and I love it. I have recently discovered that it is constructed of the same materials and in the same high quality factory in China as the Goldtone BG150F. Who copied who I have no idea but don't turn your nose up, the Chinese have been making stringed instruments for at least 2000 years.
Overall Rating: 8
Where Purchased: Bermunzio
Year Purchased: 2023
Price Paid: Don't Remember (bought USED)
historic exchange rates / currency converter
Variety of sounds dependent upon with or without resonator
Sound Rating: 9
Setup perfectly from Bernunzio
Setup Rating: 9
Outstanding appearance. The elegant woods, inlays, neck all are incredibly beautiful. First time in public, two folks commented on its beauty. It is very understated with not one feature or another that is particularly featured. But the combination of woods, quality of workmanship and simple design inlays make it a stunner.
Appearance Rating: 10
Too early to tell.
Reliability Rating: not rated
Dean was great in responding to several questions I had.
Customer Service: 10
Nothing in this banjo is or looks cheap.
Components Rating: 10
Love to pick it up and play it, i have stuffed th back to make it a little bit less bright. Still tweaking head, tailpiece a bit, but love what I am hearing,
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Direct from previous owner
Year Purchased: 2023
Price Paid: Don't Remember (bought USED)
historic exchange rates / currency converter
Prairieville #211 (built in 2005). The YouTube 12” Chuck Lee Custom Prairieville video played by Lukas Pool (the Music Emporium) is incredibly accurate. A beautiful balance between the warm sustain from the brass tone ring and the very specific note separation – wherever and however you play on the neck, and whatever the volume.
Sound Rating: 10
I am the third person since 2005 to share the company of the Prairieville, and it arrived a little misunderstood, so…..took off the neck, adjusted the truss rod, reset the neck height, and introduced a Kat Eyz pegged bridge, all of which was simple and easy to do.
Setup Rating: 10
Deceptive. A walnut neck, maple pot, a curly maple rim cap, macassar ebony fingerboard and centre veneers of purpleheart. But, the closer and more carefully you look, the more the exceptional detailing and craftmanship becomes obvious.
Appearance Rating: 10
Prairieville #211 is 18 years old, plays perfectly and I am more than comfortable to trust it (trust being the root word of the word reliability) as my next go to for gigging.
Reliability Rating: 10
I emailed Chuck Lee to ask whether he could help with any information about Prairieville #211. Chuck emailed giving me the information from the original invoice and to ask if I could send pictures as a hard drive crash had resulting in him losing some of his. This I did and I then got a full description back. My impression was of a kind and humble man with enormous humanity, who was passionate about what he did. I feel a real privilege to be part of what he creates.
Customer Service: 10
Everything about the banjo except the normal aging on the renaissance head is still immaculate and works exactly as it should.
Components Rating: 10
In nearly 45 years since my first paid gig (and I am late to the banjo), discussion about instruments (whether stringed, fretted, brass, woodwind, keyboard or percussion) always comes down to two elements 1) the unique quality of the sound, and 2) whether when you push an instrument hard you have to adjust your playing, just to try to maintain the same sound….on that basis, Prairieville #211 has the unique quality and consistency of sound of a truly exceptional instrument.
Overall Rating: 10
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