DVD-quality lessons (including tabs/sheet music) available for immediate viewing on any device.
Take your playing to the next level with the help of a local or online banjo teacher.
Weekly newsletter includes free lessons, favorite member content, banjo news and more.
Premier Sponsors
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!
7224 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: The Banjo Hut.com
Year Purchased: April 2007
Price Paid: 229 ($US)
I am a complete beginner so this review is all instinct and current experience.
I chose an all-mahogany body because mahogany is supposed to be a mellower sounding wood. So far, so true. One thing I'm noticing and I'm not sure if this is because of set up or what - playing higher up on the head, towards the neck, I get a mellower yet slightly louder sound. Playing closer to the bridge the sound is brighter, but *not* brassy or harsh sounding. I like that variability as well as the overall tone.
Sound Rating: 9
The banjo was setup when I got it and really don't have much to compare it to or suggest. I like the action compared to my previous banjo experience but especially to guitar. I noticed that others received their banjos almost fully in tune, and that was not the case for me. But especially with the chromatic tuner it was easy to fix and since then, it holds its tune very well.
Setup Rating: 8
It is a beautiful instrument.
I would have liked to have the fingerboard be brighter or lighter somehow (perhaps just for visual contrast) but the finish feels as velvety, warm and inviting as it looks. Simple yet lovely, elegant yet friendly.
Appearance Rating: 9
If I ever would get with a banjo like I am on clothes, this thing could be made of stainless steel and I could wear the hell out of it in no time. But there is not much to suggest this won't be reliable and Mastercrafts' lifetime warranty does suggest their confidence in their product.
Reliability Rating: 9
You know, I ordered it, I got it and I have no reason to contact either Banjo Hut or Mastercraft. As far as I'm concerned, that's real customer service right there. If I ever do need to be in contact with one or the other, I'll amend the rating according to that experience.
Now; ask me about UPSsssss...
------
5/20/07: I've had the banjo for about a month now and I'm fonder of it than before, which is why I was eager to update this part of the review.
The details of my first banjo drama is recorded on my blog entry for May 19th, so no need to get into it here. The important part is that my call was received (by a real person!), my panic soothed, the guidance easy to follow and the support was real, even though it turned out the 'injury' was not. Paul at the Hut cared about how I felt about my instrument. Even for me, 'nuff said.
Customer Service: 10
From what little I can tell the tuning components (plastic and metal) aren't top shelf but I don't see that as a drawback to the instrument itself.
Components Rating: 7
I definitely recommend this banjo. I 'm glad that I was able to take advantage of the sale on the beginners' package that Banjo Hut was offering but the banjo itself is better than worth the price. It also reminded me of way back, when "Made in Japan" was supposed to be a joke. This was made In China; talk about deja' vu.
Overall Rating: 9
