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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!
7232 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: janet davis music
Year Purchased: 1980
Price Paid: Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
I have owned a couple of calico banjos. Both were fabulous machines. I have also done set up for around 30 years so I have an adequate basis for comparisons. They compare to high end gibsons, wildwoods (love those), and many of the the other high end machines.
A quality banjo with the proper set up is a beautiful thing. I was blessed to touch so many built in the 80s and 90s,
Sound Rating: not rated
I bought only new instruments and did my own set up work. If anyone has questions I would be glad to reply.
Most set up banjos are the manufacturers best guess on what you want. If you can find someone who can fine tune the set up to your playing style you will usually be quite pleasedl
Setup Rating: not rated
All of the deerings I worked on were very well made.
Appearance Rating: 10
Top notch hardware.
Reliability Rating: not rated
Did not really have need to rely on others for any kind of work. Must of what set up is......is personal preference.
Customer Service: 10
Deering components are very nice. Never had a complaint.
Components Rating: 10
I would be glad to chat with anyone who has questions.
Roger
211 S. 6th Street Until 504
Cocoa Beach, FL. 32931
Phone: 309-242-0867
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: janet davis music
Year Purchased: 1990
Price Paid: 1800 ($US)
This is a fabulous banjo for the money. The wood work is top notch and the sound is full and vibrant. It can be set up to sound plunky or bright.
I ordered mine with the optional rim bracket.....which turned out to be a good thing. This option provided increased volume and brightened the tone making this an option for various bluegrass styles.
I have owned dozens of banjos which I gave to my students when I moved to Florida. Of all of those machines, this is the only one I wish I had back.
Sound Rating: 10
I have always done my own set up work. When it arrived it was a bit too plunky for my taste.
I was able to brighten it up significantly for a more upbeat bluegrass style.
Setup Rating: 10
The detail work on this banjo was flawless....rivaling much more expensive machines.
Appearance Rating: 10
Hardware was top notch and stayed in that condition for the five or so years I played it. I played this banjo on a daily basis and used it when teaching students.
As an aside, every student wanted to have this banjo.
It was one of the few banjos that I played every day.
Reliability Rating: 10
Can't recall the details of the warranty and did not have the need to use it.
Wildwood has a reputation for standing behind their products.
Always smart to buy from a reputable retailer. I purchased all of my banjos from Janet Davis Music.
Customer Service: 10
I have owned banjos which were more expensive than the troubador.
The woodwork was flawless and all hardware held up well in spite of me playing the banjo every day for a number of years.
Components Rating: 10
I cannot think of much more to add.
I think it speaks to the quality of this banjo when I say this is the only banjo that I wish I had back.
If you would like to chat about this banjo or general set up work call me at 309-242-0867 (Cocoa Beach, Fla).
Roger
Overall Rating: 10
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