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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!
7160 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: Ebay
Year Purchased: 2018
Price Paid: $150 ($US)
This is a wonderful little instrument that every banjo player should have sitting someplace easy to reach. Lovely mellow tone, quiet enough to play while everyone in the family is in the room watching TV! (Without finger picks on that is) :)
Sound Rating: 10
I purchased it assembled and setup. Tuned it out of the box and haven’t changed a thing.
Setup Rating: 10
This is very utilitarian and durable instrument, no frills! It is pretty wood and instantly attracts questions. “Wow... is that a banjo?”
Appearance Rating: 10
I just hauled this little dude in a cloth sack across the Atlantic and on trains through seven countries in Europe. It is extremely durable and lightweight travel companion. Rating 11!
Reliability Rating: 10
Most helpful, friendly, fast, responsive! TOPS!
Customer Service: 10
It’s just a very simple design. No frills and works perfectly. I have had two very high level players who picked it up, played it and immediately wrote down the the Backyard Music address.
Components Rating: 10
For the price, quality and durability of this little banjo you should have one sitting in the TV room and one stashed in the car. Never be without a banjo... this is the perfect travel companion or faithful little chair side player. :)
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: backyardmusic.com
Year Purchased: 2016
Price Paid: 95 (Sterling)
historic exchange rates / currency converter
I replaced the medium guage wire strings it came with. with fishing line on the first three strings
I thought it sounded too tinny with the metal strings
The sound is peculiarly not obnoxious - a bit reminiscent of wind chimes. My style is folk voice accompaniment
Sound Rating: 7
The banjo arrived with the bridge upstood
The strings needed tuning, otherwise no adjustment required - except for my particular requirement for fishing line strings
Setup Rating: 8
No flaws. The design is one of endearing simplicity and sturdiness. Far from ungainly
Appearance Rating: 10
The hardware is sturdy
It is quiet. At a gig I would insert a microphone
Reliability Rating: not rated
Service is friendly
As I live in the Scottish Highlands it is unlikely to be returned for repair
I did not enquire about warranty it seemed irrelevent
Customer Service: 10
I cannot fault the parts
But replacing the 5th string is initially tricky - a small phillips screwdriver is a must
Components Rating: 10
This delightful instrument was sent to me by post for a little over £30. The banjo itself cost a little over £95
The small scale is much appreciated - pinky stretch and other fret board acrobatics are doable
I would recommend it as a first/practice/travel banjo because it is
cheap
good looking
sturdy
quiet
easy to play
gentle toned
nice to hold
light in weight
Overall Rating: 8
Where Purchased: Online from Backyard Music
Year Purchased: 2013
Price Paid: Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
Nice tone for a short-scale/travel size banjo. This one came with a mahogany head, so that seems to mellow it out a bit, which is fine.
Sound Rating: 10
Took it out of the box, tuned it and started playing. The setup was just right.
Setup Rating: 10
Really like the look of this banjo. Nice simple appearance and the mahogany is pretty. I purchased one already assembled and was pleased with their work.
Appearance Rating: 10
A good set of tuners on this banjo. Overall it appears that it will give years of good service. When I read about the cardboard tube used for the the hoop, I wasn't too sure what to think. But, after some reading, realized it is a resin-impregnated fiberboard. Now that I've seen it, I like it because it is sturdy yet lightweight.
Reliability Rating: 10
Great customer service.
Customer Service: 10
Nothing to suggest. I like it the way it is.
Components Rating: 10
A very nice short-scale banjo that is suitable for a young player or use as your traveler. The price is very attractive, especially for buying a banjo made in the US.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: www.backyardmusic.com
Year Purchased: 2012
Price Paid: 135 ($US)
After playing mando for five years, I decided to add banjo to my repertoire -- but didn't want to spend a fortune, and wanted something lightweight and manageable for a small (5-foot) adult. I purchased a Backyard Music basic banjo, assembled, due in part to the great reviews I found here. I've been delighted with my purchase. The banjo sounds really great, is sturdy and well put-together. I liked mine so much I bought one for a friend. I'm giving it a 10 rating on sound as compared to other beginner/travel banjos.
Sound Rating: 10
It came tuned up and ready to go.
Setup Rating: 10
The banjo has a simple, mountain instrument look to it -- very cool.
Appearance Rating: 10
Despite the fact that the ring is made of very heavy gauge cardboard (from a mailing tube), it seems quite sturdy. I've had it for only a few months, but other reviewers report that it's in great shape a few years in. It's designed for practice or travel, so the gigging question doesn't apply -- it's plenty loud on its own but would be drowned out quickly by other instruments.
Reliability Rating: 10
The banjo I ordered for my friend had a slight buzzing in one string. Backyard Music promptly sent a new nut (at no cost) to address that problem.
Customer Service: 10
I don't really know enough about banjos at this point to address this question, except to say that the tuning gears are high quality.
Components Rating: not rated
Perfect for a beginner! And fun for seasoned players, too, based on the couple I've shown it to. For its price and this class of banjo, I'd say this is about as good as it gets.
Overall Rating: 10
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