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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!

7199 reviews in the archive.

Kona: KPRB200

Submitted by newbanjoman on 5/7/2006

Where Purchased: Audio Visual Pro

Year Purchased: 2006
Price Paid: 120 ($US)

Sound

It's a beginner banjo for sure. I like it fine after I tightened the head and got the neck adjusted and bridge placed. This wasn't hard to do and the banjo does come with the necessary adjustment wrenches.

It's sold as a resonator banjo. However, the resonator is easily removed via some thumbscrews. The brackets can also be removed by loosening 8 of the head lugs. I like playing it open back for a softer tone...but the resonator sounds fine too.

I played a few other banjos in the stores before picking this one up. I don't think it sounds as rich as the Deering Goodtime, but it is comparable to a Goldtone CC50 in tone.

Sound Rating: 7

Setup

It was shipped to me with a loose head, unadjusted neck, and the bridge down. I was buying it wholesale, so this didn't surprise me.

Setting it up was easy. I have some experience adjusting guitar necks and bridges...So, I knew what I was trying to accomplish. I was and still am only a bit unsure of head tuning. I finally just adjusted it to approximate "D" and listened for bad harmonics. I then tightened or loosened the head until these off tones went away.

Setup Rating: 1

Appearance

Very pretty for a cheap banjo. I like the satin finish as opposed to the glossy look. It appears to be mahogany but is advertised as having a Nato resonator....which it does. The pot is a rolled shell of I'm guessing maple, and is stained to match the neck. The banjo is clearly meant to be shown with the resonator attached, since the inside and bottom of the pot are not finely finished. However, this doesn't really detract from the appearance under normal viewing.

Appearance Rating: 9

Reliability

I can't really see any flaws in the hardware, although I'm sure it's not top quality stuff. It's pretty enough as it is, and seems to be machined well.

The wood finish is very pleasant...not super shiny, and not scratched or dented. I expect it will hold up under normal use. The head is a Remo Weather King...

Reliability Rating: 9

Customer Service

AVP is great as a dealer. They are not primarily instrument sellers and don't pretend to be. But, they will get you a good price on instruments available through their vendors. Just expect that you are getting a raw instrument and will have to set up and service it yourself.

Customer Service: 10

Components

My one disappointment was that I was expecting the banjo to have a geared 5th peg. This one doesn't. The friction peg works fine with no trouble. But, I'm thinking that possibly this banjo came from another run than the newest version. Also, although the Kona logo is painted on the headstock, it does not look like other Kona instrument badges that I have seen.

Components Rating: 7

Overall Comments

For the money, it's a super cheap deal on a resonator banjo. I'm not complaining. However, if I were to recommend just an open back banjo for cheap, I'd probaby go for one of the $89 Rogue banjos on MF. That's a hard deal to beat.

I'm happy with the purchase...but honestly, if I was to lose the banjo, I'd probably opt to buy a Deering Goodtime to replace it. I love the sound of those banjos. Of course, keep in mind that the Goodtime is nearly 3 times the price of this one....and nearly 4 times with a resonator.

Overall Rating: 8