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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!
7210 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: Direct
Year Purchased: 2013
Price Paid: Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
Bright and resonant with enough growl to please me, the folks at Bishline set it up to my stated preferences, and I couldn't be happier.
Sound Rating: 10
Did not need to make any changes in setup.
Setup Rating: 10
Looks fantastic. Natural flamed maple with laminated neck and ebony fretboard, mother of pearl dog paw prints on the fretboard, and mother of pearl Cardigan corgi on the headstock give this instrument a unique appearance. The koa binding compliments the natural flamed maple.
Appearance Rating: 10
The tuners, tailpiece, and finish are top quality, and though I've had it for less than a week, I don't know why I'd take a backup (largely because my old banjo sounds totally dead in comparison).
Reliability Rating: 10
Lifetime for original owner. The folks at Bishline, including Rob and Andy were courteous, delightful, helpful, patient, and kept me in the loop every step of the way during the banjo's build.
Customer Service: 10
Bishline tone ring.
Awesome, superb, workmanship.
Perfect fit and finish.
Mother-of-pearl inlays are stunning.
Components Rating: 10
I just can't imagine a more positive experience in getting my hands on a truly custom banjo.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Directly from Rob Bishline
Year Purchased: 2009
Price Paid: ($US)
This banjo had a great sound right out of the case. It produces a great, crisp, hard-driving sound when picked near the bridge, and a sweet, mellow tone as you work your way further from it. With it sounding this good brand new, I'm really excited to hear how it will sound after everything settles in and starts to open up.
Sound Rating: 9
No problems on the setup at all. The action was very comfortable.
Setup Rating: 9
Simply gorgeous... from the burl walnut resonator, to the maple binding, to the great inlay work and the beautiful finish, this is a real work of art. Rob Bishline creates top of the line banjos.
Appearance Rating: 10
I foresee no issues with this banjo at all. Even if there was an issue, Rob is great to deal with.
Reliability Rating: 9
This was part of the reason that I went with a Bishline banjo. Rob was great to talk to when I first met him at his IBMA booth, and once I actually had them to start work on my banjo, the entire staff was great to deal with. Any time I had a question, I would have a response back very quickly. Also, they were nice enough to regularly email me photos and updates as the construction process progressed.
Customer Service: 10
My banjo consisted of the following: 3 piece laminated radiused walnut neck, burl walnut resonator, TP-Schaffer rim, Bishline standard tone ring, radiused Gary Sosebee bridge, nickel hardware, 4 Keith D-Tuners (mailed my own tuners out to Rob, and he installed them on this project).
Components Rating: 9
This banjo is awesome. Every time I pick it up, I have a hard time putting it back down. Whether you're playing up or down the neck, the sounds it can produce are awesome. It's just so fun to play. I've received many compliments, both on the sound and the overall appearance/finish. I highly recommend considering Rob and the gang for your next banjo purchase!
Overall Rating: 10
