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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!
7237 reviews in the archive.
Fiddler's Green Music Shop used to be located in central Austin but relocated to Lockhart, TX a couple of years ago. As far as I know, they have hands down the largest collection of banjos for sale in central Texas. They are a Gold Tone dealer but also sell banjos on consignment, which helps round out their inventory. I sold a Ramsey 12" through this shop a few years ago and was very impressed with their service.
Don't get me wrong, they also sell guitars, mandolins, violins, ukuleles, and much more. When the shop was in Austin, they had a shed out back where they would hold group lessons, jams, and shows. I don't think their new location in Lockhart has this but they are still a top-notch music shop with solid ownership. If you find yourself in Lockhart, make it a point to visit the shop (open Wed - Sat). As an added bonus, great Texas barbecue can be found right around the corner!
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Amazon
The very first song is Railroad. Right then you will know this album is something special. There is not a stinker on it. Both Bela and his wife Abigail can play circles around most of us mortals and Abigail's vocals are none other than spectacular. Put them together and we have fireworks. Highly recommended for anyone who loves Old Time and just good ol' foot stompin' music.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Amazon
I believe this was one of the first albums put together by Bad Livers' frontman and songwriter, Danny Barnes. Danny Barnes is from Temple, TX originally but has more recently made his way to the Pacific Northwest. This album is a down and dirty good time. With Barnes' banjo accompanied by tuba and sometimes upright bass, he makes rock n roll out of instruments that weren't made for rock n roll... while still retaining that Old Time flavor. I have seen Barnes play solo in concert several times that he has rolled back through Austin and I shit you not, I've seen him alternate between bluegrass and clawhammer styles in the same song. I know his secret for pulling this off but I'll let you make it to one of his shows and find out for yourself. Go find this album and you will be hooked on this band for life.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Split Lip Rayfield website
I can't say enough good things about this band and their most recent album, On My Way. Currently a 3-piece band that includes banjo, mandolin, and upright one-string gas tank bass, this band absolutely rocks the grunge-grass. On this record, mandolin player Wayne Gottstein and banjo picker Eric Mardis both put in time playing acoustic guitars as well. For being such a small outfit, they make big sound. Run don't walk to your nearest music seller and get this album, you will not be disappointed. Then get Never Make it Home, their second studio album. After that, you will have a ball finding every record in-between. If I was forced to describe their work with one word, I'd say it's FUN. Don't get me wrong, sometimes the content of their songs can be dark, but in a fun way. Do it!
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Amazon
What can I say, Sturgill Simpson keeps reinventing himself and I can't get enough. His first two albums were country-fried to say the least. Then he went kind of R&Bish and then rock n roll after that. His most recent recordings, however, are these two volumes aptly titled Cuttin' Grass. A lot of these songs are bluegrass versions of original songs he has already recorded with a few new gems thrown in for good measure. You can find Sturgill's complete albums on his official youtube page if you want to try before you buy. Of course buying means you won't have to skip through ads after every other song. Do it!
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Waterloo Records
I can't say enough good things about Rhiannon Giddens or this album. I have posted reviews of some of my favorite albums that include banjo but these are true Old Time songs written in the modern era with historical subject-matter. Rhiannon Giddens can write a song and her majestic banjo pickin' is way better than I could ever aspire to play. This is a concept album, not a collection of radio singles. Keep that in mind and you will hear a tale of love and heartache that takes place during one of America's darkest hours. Check it out and you will not be disappointed.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Schatten website
I researched long and hard before pulling the trigger on this pickup. I'm so glad I did. I installed it on my Badtimes Banjo a few years ago and have played open mic's and gigs with no problems. Well, once I got to a gig and discovered my cat had chewed through the wire. So that was a disaster. However, a local luthier was able to replace the wire and it works like a champ once again. Plus I learned my lesson about leaving my banjo on the stand instead of in the case when cats are around. The only hangup I had was that the mounting bracket seems to be made for resonator banjos. When I first attempted to install it on my open back, I quickly learned the banjo would not fit in its snug hard case if I installed the device according to instructions. Therefore, I was able to improvise with athletic tape and zip ties so that I could strap it to the coordinator rod with no sliding around. FYI a photo of the pickup installation can be found in my photo album here on Banjo Hangout. Since the pickup is passive, I run it through an LR Baggs Gigpro preamp when gigging. I have recorded in the studio without the preamp but have never tried gigging without running it through the preamp. Either way, I am not disappointed with this pickup.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Strait Music Austin Texas
Year Purchased: 2015
Price Paid: $650 ($US)
I installed a Schatten B-02 pickup on this banjo and when plugged into my LR Baggs Gigpro preamp, sounds great through a live PA. This banjo makes bad sounds, but in a good way!
Sound Rating: 10
I had the banjo setup by a professional banjo technician. I do this automatically every time I buy a new instrument. I put a fiberskin head on it. Also, when I switched to medium strings, the bridge snapped in half so I bought a Bart bridge and it works great. Comes installed with standard planetary tuners. Tuners have a sweet spot, not as smooth as the Gotoh tuners.
Setup Rating: 8
I like the mahogany stain. Never was a fan of the blonde look of regular Goodtime banjos. But the reddish mahogany stain has a classic look to it. Also, the tuner pegs are located on the back of the headstock, unlike the standard Goodtimes that have tuners on the sides like a guitar.
Appearance Rating: 10
The fifth string peg broke one time and I had to have an aftermarket fifth string peg drilled in and installed. My instructor joked that I turned the peg too much but I told him I only turned the knob to tune it and I never took a screwdriver to the screw in the top of the tuning knob. Anyways, this banjo is reliable. I use it onstage for open mics because of the pickup I installed on it. I have a nicer custom banjo but no pickup on that one.
Reliability Rating: 8
All of my repairs have been done local. Never shipped banjo to Deering for anything.
Customer Service: 10
Well, considering I have had to change out fifth string peg and bridge as well as putting a new head on it. I would say this is a Frankenstein banjo put together with TLC but out of spare parts and cemetery finds.
Components Rating: 8
Nice little banjo. Despite its shortcomings, I have invested in keeping it playing and onstage as best I can. If I have to buy another gigging banjo, I will probably try to steer towards a company that does not support the NRA.
Overall Rating: 9
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