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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!
7235 reviews in the archive.
I'm a beginner (8 months in now), and I started out playing a Washburn. As soon as I knew that I would stick with it, I started thinking about buying a better quality banjo. By reading John's posts and watching his LOTW videos, I felt confident that John could give me some good advice on buying a quality banjo, so I contacted him about four weeks ago to see what he might advise me to get.
Well, after asking me several questions, John told me that soon he would be getting in a very good Hopkins Mahogany to check out the set-up for a customer who wanted to sell it, but wanted to make sure it was in top condition before the sale. John agreed to act as the middle man and further said he'd send me pictures and an audio clip whenever he received the banjo and worked some of his magic (my words, not his) on it.
It turned out that not a lot needed doing anyway, but John still made sure it was in great shape before sending me the pictures and audio clip. Since I didn't trust my own beginner's ears, I had asked my teacher (who is also a luthier) to listen to the sound bite, and to pass judgment to assure that I was getting a good quality instrument. My teacher had previously advised me not to buy a banjo until he had a chance to check it out and pass judgment.
When my teacher and I heard John's recording, we mutually agreed that it likely was a very good quality banjo. My teacher asked if I would ask John for a 48 hour "trial period" in order for him to "check it out", and John agreed.
When I received the banjo, I was amazed at how well John had packed the banjo. That package probably could have gone around the world and back without the contents being damaged in the least.
I took it to my teacher the day I got it, and he was able to fully inspect it. He said, "You better buy this one" (and my teacher, who owns some very expensive banjos, including a true pre-war Gibson, is not that easy to please when selecting banjos).
The whole process went as smoothly as could be. John proved to be very trustworthy and a man of his word, and he followed through with everything he promised to do. I would highly recommend John to be a person of high integrity, and I would certainly do business with him again if/when I should need his services.
Overall Rating: 10
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