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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!
7198 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: Amazon
I had used the NylGut strings previously, and I really liked the sound for clawhammer. I bought the reds as I had seen on a number of reviews that thees were good as you could tune up to double G and even double C tuning with these as opposed to being a few steps lower.
I got them all strung and was proceeding to tune them up and the 5th string didn't even make it one full note below the G and it snapped. Very disappointing.
Overall Rating: 1
Where Purchased: Rickard Banjo's
I'm new to the banjo world, but one of the things that was driving me nuts was the difficulty in tuning my banjo. I have a Petterson slip on strobe tuner, and it was almost impossible to tune with my old tuners. Just a slight adjustment and the tuner would say I was off. Once I installed the Cyclone tuners in, it was extremely easy to finely tune the instrument.
I love the fact that you don't need to worry about a tension screw to hold the string from going flat. They really thought out the mechanics well with these and I have a feeling I will be buying another set for my other banjo at some point.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Amazon
You would think a clip on tuner would be somewhat correct, but this one is horrible. Maybe it is just mine. When you clip it on the peghead and pluck a string, it jumps all over the place first it's an A, then D, then G, then nothing.
This is going in the drawer to be never used again. I've tried it on two banjo's and one mandolin, and the same issue with all instruments. It hasn't a clue as to what it is hearing.
It's a shame as it looks like a nice design, and I like how the whole display turns green IF you ever do get it in tune. Not for me though. Hopefully mine is just a dud, and someone else has better luck and can post a better review.
Overall Rating: 1
Where Purchased: Amazon
You would think a clip on tuner would be somewhat correct, but this one is horrible. Maybe it is just mine. When you clip it on the peghead and pluck a string, it jumps all over the place first it's an A, then D, then G, then nothing.
This is going in the drawer to be never used again. I've tried it on two banjo's and one mandolin, and the same issue with all instruments. It hasn't a clue as to what it is hearing.
It's a shame as it looks like a nice design, and I like how the whole display turns green IF you ever do get it in tune. Not for me though. Hopefully mine is just a dud, and someone else has better luck and can post a better review.
Overall Rating: 1
Where Purchased: Banjo Studio
Year Purchased: 2022
Price Paid: Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
I love the warm sound that it has
Sound Rating: 10
Not really. It looks like it came right from the factory without any setup. The bridge was not even close to where it should have been, but that was easily fixed. It was also not well protected in the shipping, but thankfully it arrived safe.
Setup Rating: 5
It is a beautiful, but the blond fretboad was a little hard to get used to at first. With the renaissance head though, everything really works.
Appearance Rating: 8
The finish is perfect. I know the guitar tuners are not the best to look at, but they work perfectly and I know they will last.
Reliability Rating: 10
I sent them an email after the sale, and I have yet to hear from them.
Customer Service: not rated
I love the looks of the head, but I did swap out the strings and the bridge. I added a Snuffy Smith bridge and some light D'Addario Nickel strings, and it sounds really good (not that it sounded bad before).
Components Rating: 10
This was my first banjo, so I was not sure what to really get, but I liked the looks of the banjo, and a lot of people had favorable things to say about the 12" Goodtime Americana. I love that this is built in the USA. I bought an openback, and I questioned my decision to do that after I bought it, and it does not have that nice "twang" that a resonator has, but it is an excellent banjo to learn on. I am not sorry that I got it, and although I am learning Scruggs style, eventually I will learn Clawhammer on this as well and that will more than likely the open back design will really shine.
I wish I could afford one more intermediate the Deering resonator banjo's at some time, but I feel lucky to have this in openback.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Amazon
This works great... I was really worried how this would sound until I heard a banjo using one on YouTube. I had previously been using a paper towel bunched up under the strings, and that didn't allow any sustain and made it hard to learn how to play the banjo. This mute on the other hand, allows a nice sustain, and mutes the sound nicely. The low sounds are nice and warm, and the higher notes are more of a nice plink and it has a beautiful sustain. This allows me to play without disturbing teh grandkids when they sleep or when others may be home who are not as fond of the banjo.
Overall Rating: 10
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