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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!
7163 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: Backyard Banjo Webste
Year Purchased: 2010, 2013, 2015, 20
Price Paid: 130 ($US)
Not too loud. Wooden head so has more sustain. Nice because it is not too loud.
Sound Rating: 10
Action and intonation is perfect. It is amazingly good.
Setup Rating: 10
Looks great. Nothing fancy.
Appearance Rating: 9
I have had four--three I gave away. I have backpacked with it, done several 2-3 week canoe trips, played them in the rain, dropped them...they have stayed straight. I broke the headstock off of one when I flipped my canoe over onto it but superglue fixed it and it still played great.
Reliability Rating: 10
Very friendly; no idea about a warranty as I did not need one.
Customer Service: not rated
It is a $150 banjo so the tuners are basic but they work perfectly.
Components Rating: 9
Outstanding banjos if it suits you. Great for camping, backpacking or for a different sound. I am currently using one with an octave pedal for recording to get a low end to add to my "regular" banjo as the wooden construction is easier for a pedal to handle. I have bought four and just got a Pete Seeger longneck model. They are fantastic and I'll buy more. I put a 10" drum head on one to get a banjo-y-er sound and it worked great. I gave that one to someone who really wanted to learn the banjo.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Private Party
Year Purchased: 2014
Price Paid: 100 ($US) (bought USED)
I have only been playing for approx 3 years now and have aquired 4 inexpensive Asian made Banjos, $150 -$300 price range, in that time, None of them sound anywhere near as good as the Backyard Fireside Banjo. The Rich Sound and ability to stay in tune is simply amazing. I play Mountain Style and Clawhammer and for my needs, it is perfect.
Sound Rating: 10
I purchased it from a Guitar player friend who bought it fully assembled and set up at a Music Festival on an impulse and later decided it wasn't for him. His Loss turned out to be my gain. I have not done anything to it at all.
Setup Rating: 10
The appearance of this Banjo is very decieving. At First Glance, it Almost looks like a Cheap Toy Banjo but once you look closely at the fine wood used and the simplicity & Balance of the Craftsmanship you will be amazed. Backyard Music Makers have broken the complexity of Banjo Making down to a Simple Yet Incredibly Beautifully Sounding Instrument which is a absolute pleasure to own, while being unbelievably Inexpensive. . Upon Playing it for the first time, I was 100% Hooked. I may possibly dress it up a little with a custom finish or woodburning just to personalize it but as it comes, is truely is a Simple Beauty that in my opinion, deserves as much respect as any Open Back Banjo out there in it's Price Range
Appearance Rating: 10
I'm just a Novice Player but I've been playing mine for 2 weeks straight now, every day and it has stayed perfectly in tune. I see Nothing about the construction of this Banjo that concerns me. In fact I think it's much more dependable than some Asian Made full size Banjos I own which cost me more money.
Reliability Rating: not rated
I've emailed them with some questions and recieved an answer within 24 hours!!!!! That's what I call Old School Customer Service, which is absolutely Priceless.
Customer Service: 10
I can not think of anything I would change with this Banjo.
This Little Girl is Built like a David Bradley Walk Behind Tractor! Tough, Simple Yet Dependable Construction, Very Reliable, Small in Size , yet capable of doing anything it's Bigger Counter Parts can do.
There's Nothing Cheap about it as I can see.
Components Rating: 10
One Thing is For Sure....Had I known about this Company when I first started playing, I'd probably would own at least 3 of these by now. I would very highly recommend it to anyone starting out learning the Banjo or anyone who needs a well made reasonably priced quality back up or practice Banjo.
Bottom Line is...This Banjo is a Winner
Overall Rating: 10
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