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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!
7209 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: Banjo Bob's
Year Purchased: 2019
Price Paid: Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
The sound of the Ultra-Light is silky smooth but with plenty of bite when needed. The definition of each string and each note is unlike any banjo I have played before. This banjo has the tone of a vintage instrument and because of the maple tone ring it will only improve with age!
Sound Rating: 10
My Midnight Moon Ultra-Light arrived in tune and the setup was perfect. I ordered a radiused fretboard and the bridge has the same radius so the action is excellent along the entire fretboard.
Setup Rating: 10
This banjo is a work of art with delicate marquetry on the headstock and beautiful inlays on the neck and even on the resonator. The fret markers are stars or constellations with the Big Dipper on the 7th fret. The binding is Koa and the body and neck are flame Maple stained like a midnight sky. To achieve the Ultra-light weight the flange is powder coated (black) aluminum which gives an understated look.
Appearance Rating: 10
This banjo will last for generations. The fit and finish are excellent and all details are precise as you would expect from a custom banjo. As for reliability, if a banjo can arrive in tune after a journey with UPS, it can stand up to more abuse than I'll ever give it!
Reliability Rating: 10
When you deal with Bishline you are dealing with Rob Bishline. His name is on the instrument and he is a talented player and craftsman. He even sent photos of my banjo in production! The instrument has a lifetime warranty (materials and workmanship) for the original owner.
Customer Service: 10
All components are top quality and match the Midnight Moon motif. Tuner knobs are black as is the flange. tail piece and all other hardware are silver.
Components Rating: 10
If you've read this far, then you know I am crazy about this banjo! Looks are incredible but once you start playing the real beauty comes out. Sweet is a apt term for the sound quality and because the banjo is so light I don't have to listen to my own moaning and complaining about my aching shoulder or back!
I have had the pleasure of owning/playing some fantastic instruments from Deering, Ome, Vega and others and the Bishline Midnight Moon Ultra-Light is my absolute favorite! It combines world class workmanship with leading edge technology to achieve beautiful tone and light weight! A banjo of this quality would cost at least twice as much from more familiar brands.
Overall Rating: 10
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