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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!

7211 reviews in the archive.

Bishline  Heirloom Banjo Reviews

Submitted by Jim Poulette (see all reviews from this person) on 1/26/2025

Where Purchased: Rob Bishline (direct)

Year Purchased: 2025
Price Paid: Don't Remember historic exchange rates / currency converter

Sound

Love it so far. (This was a mahogany Heirloom) Nice full Mastertone style sound, and good overall feel when playing it. Still getting use to the tunneled 5th (what the hail !), but so far so good.

Sound Rating: 10

Setup

Excellent. Action was a little low, but I'm getting use to it.

Setup Rating: 10

Appearance

Bishline quality - good components and beautiful workmanship. I was on the fence, but I ended up loving the Maple binding.

Appearance Rating: 10

Reliability

Again, Bishline quality - good components and beautiful workmanship. I'm sure it will outlive me.

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

Not applicable yet. Rob is easy to work with - that I know.

Customer Service: not rated

Components

Again, Bishline quality - good components and beautiful workmanship.

Components Rating: 10

Overall Comments

I'm not sure why I waited so long to pick up a Bishline. This was the year, and absolutely no regrets so far.

Anyone looking for a quality 5-string bluegrass banjo will not be disappointed. The tunneled 5th was a twist that I'm actually getting use to.

Overall Rating: 10

Submitted by wtbryant (see all reviews from this person) on 4/2/2019

Where Purchased: Individual

Year Purchased: 2019
Price Paid: $1500.00 ($US) (bought USED)

Sound

Outstanding. Better than anticipated, honestly. I knew the reviews of Bishline were good, but this banjo sounds as good as my Stelling which I've always thought was the best sounding banjo I've ever played.

Sound Rating: 10

Setup

Setup was fine. I didn't like the light strings, but seeing I bought it used, that was probably the preference of the individual I bought it from rather than Bishline.

Setup Rating: 10

Appearance

The Heirloom isn't the fanciest banjo Bishline makes. But, for the money it's hard to beat. I don't see one flaw on this banjo anywhere.

Appearance Rating: 10

Reliability

It's hard to believe this banjo is used and has been played as regularly as it has. I don't have to worry as to whether it "seems" it will last, it has lasted!

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

I have interacted with Bishline in trying to ascertain other information about their banjos so I knew about this one (and others I was looking at). They were nothing but outstanding.

Customer Service: 10

Components

This is an affordable yet stage-worthy banjo. All parts are top of the line. The only reason it's cheaper is the fretboard and headstock aren't "fancy". But they're beautiful nonetheless.

Components Rating: 10

Overall Comments

This banjo replaced a Stelling Virginian that I played for 13 years on stage.  I haven't been playing much on stage lately. So, I sold the Virginian in hopes that the Bishline would replace it well.  I am greatly impressed and quite satisfied.  

Overall Rating: 10

Submitted by tauno (see all reviews from this person) on 1/20/2008

Where Purchased: Bishline boys

Year Purchased: 2008
Price Paid: 2600 ($US)

Sound

awesome banjo. very nice woody popping sound. full and very responsive,
and loud enough for me. equipped with l.r.baggs banjo pickup(mounted into bridge),
and it actually works. very natural sound amplified.(ask ol´Danny, if you don´t buy that)
can´t imagine a piece, that this banjo couldn´t handle.

Sound Rating: 10

Setup

the banjo made a long journey to finland but it was almost in tune,
when it arrived. i asked rob to make the action low, and he sure did.
very fast and comfortable neck.
no setup changes needed.

Setup Rating: 10

Appearance

burly walnut resonator and laminated walnut neck. gorgeous flamed maple
bindings. she´s a beauty.

Appearance Rating: 10

Reliability

this banjo is build to last.
no backup banjo needed.

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

Frank, Andy and Rob were really helpful. they shared all their knowledge
with me. i think they are very easy going, feets on the ground kinda fellows.
very reasonable priced custom works. very

Customer Service: 10

Components

mine is equipped with tony pass woody rim. no tonering.
no cheap components, i guess.

Components Rating: 10

Overall Comments

i would pay twice the price.

Overall Rating: 10

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