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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.
Where Purchased: Rob Bishline (direct)
Year Purchased: 2025
Price Paid: Don't Remember
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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
Excellent. Action was a little low, but I'm getting use to it.
Setup Rating: 10
Bishline quality - good components and beautiful workmanship. I was on the fence, but I ended up loving the Maple binding.
Appearance Rating: 10
Again, Bishline quality - good components and beautiful workmanship. I'm sure it will outlive me.
Reliability Rating: 10
Not applicable yet. Rob is easy to work with - that I know.
Customer Service: not rated
Again, Bishline quality - good components and beautiful workmanship.
Components Rating: 10
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
Where Purchased: Individual
Year Purchased: 2019
Price Paid: $1500.00 ($US) (bought USED)
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
Where Purchased: Bishline boys
Year Purchased: 2008
Price Paid: 2600 ($US)
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
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
burly walnut resonator and laminated walnut neck. gorgeous flamed maple
bindings. she´s a beauty.
Appearance Rating: 10
this banjo is build to last.
no backup banjo needed.
Reliability Rating: 10
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
mine is equipped with tony pass woody rim. no tonering.
no cheap components, i guess.
Components Rating: 10
i would pay twice the price.
Overall Rating: 10
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