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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!
7209 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: Smakula Fretted Instruments
Year Purchased: 2024
Price Paid: 1475 ($US)
Sound: full, bright, resonant. Impressive sustain. Strings harmonize beautifully with a brush of the hand.
Sound Rating: 10
Had to install and position the bridge upon delivery, but otherwise it was ready to tune and play.
Setup Rating: 8
I sold my bluegrass banjo to buy this, my fourth open back. One of the reasons I love the banjo as an instrument is its simplicity and portability, and a relatively ornate and heavy BG axe just doesn't speak to me. This banjo has a simple, traditional design that I find very appealing. Walnut neck, maple pot, rennaissance head.
Appearance Rating: 10
This is my second Tradesman. The first was a used fretless model. I cam easily see this becoming my "go everywhere" default.
The tuners seemed a bit slippy upon arrival, but they can be easily tightened up.
Reliability Rating: 8
My first time buying from Bob Smakula. Very polite, straightforward and accommodating. He was willing to hold the banjo on reserve while I finalized payment details on my end. I'll definitely buy from him again.
Customer Service: 10
No complaints, though I've never preferred Richlite to wood. However, I hear Richlite lasts forever and that I will not have to replace the frets this way, so I am willing to revise my opinion.
Components Rating: 9
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Calkins Banjos (through Reverb)
Year Purchased: 2024
Price Paid: 1300 (approximately) ($US)
Full, deep tone. Almost boomy, without sacrificing articulation. Ideal for clawhammer.
Sound Rating: 9
Arrived in perfect condition, set up and ready to play. Absolutely no complaints.
Setup Rating: 10
Simply appointed, but with lovely woods and finish. I can't stand blingy banjos, so this is perfect for me. It balances an elegant look with earth-toned colors and a muted beauty.
Appearance Rating: 9
Seems like it will last me a good long while.
Reliability Rating: 8
Nate was very communicative and kept me updated on the status of my order.
Customer Service: 10
All parts appear to be top-notch.
Components Rating: 9
I am hard to please when it comes to new instruments, but I loved this banjo's voice from the first notes I accidentally created when I was unwrapping it. The 12" pot and the thin rim make for a haunting tone that possesses both depth, resonance, and impressive volume --especially for an instrument with no tone ring. When playing the low notes, it almost reminds me of a cello banjo. I am clawhammering my way through one of Wayne Erbsen's tutorial books, and this beauty really brings an excitement to these timeless old tunes.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Guitar Center
Year Purchased: 2021
Price Paid: 999.99 ($US)
Clawhammer over the frailing scoop produces a sweet, full and resonant sound. Three-finger bluegrass picking produces a sharp, clear sound that projects well, thanks to the WL steel tone ring.
Sound Rating: 9
The set-up was perfect. Playable right out of the box, after tuning.
I didn't particularly care for the medium gauge strings that came with it. I've since changed the strings to D'Addario medium gauge banjo strings. I like the feel of these better and the sound is just as good.
Setup Rating: 9
Maple rim and ebony fingerboard. Instrument is nice to look at, though I'm not crazy about high-gloss finish. No flaws. Hardware was perfect.
Appearance Rating: 9
I don't play professionally, but it's sturdy enough to last and stays in tune very well.
Reliability Rating: 8
I have not dealt directly with Gold Tone, but I appreciate that the instrument came with a high quality case, a torque wrench for head adjustments, and a list of recommended maintenance tasks. For the record, neither of my Deering banjos came with these accessories.
Customer Service: 9
Components Rating: not rated
I have owned two Deering Goodtime banjos, but I was disappointed that they lacked tone rings, and thus projection. I had heard the Gold Tone banjos were more affordable than Deering and more banjo for the money, so I decided on the WL-250. I'm learning both Scrugg-style and clawhammer on this banjo, and I find it is well-suited to both.
I am considering the Gold Tone BC-350, though it is similar. Given the WL-250's clarity in Scruggs-style, I no longer feel the need to buy another resonating banjo.
Overall Rating: 9
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