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!
7228 reviews in the archive.
Great job on a stainless steel refret of my Granada. I came away with so much more, as is always the case with John. If you live in the middle part of the country and are within a decent distance from Guthrie, OK, John learned from the very best and does the work because it is "interesting" to him.. His prices are more than fair. Every experience I have had with John has been a memory to keep. He is a wonderful luthier. We also got to hear a "free show" by Byron Berline practicing with two brothers. They were young guys and one had been a student of John's on the banjo.
This is one of the handful of places across the country to go where you get the real deal from folks whose character matches their skill on the bench. So much better than a giant warehouse style place..
If you can catch John in Berline's Fiddle shop in Guthrie, anything you might need done, John can do it, on any stringed instrument!
I have pictures and a blog about the experience in much greater detail on my home page.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: JDMC
I have used this capo for 4 months now. I did not want to review it without a real trial. It is wonderful. It solved all intonation problems and there was so much less capo to get in the way, compared to the Shubb I had been using. It has the push botton latch like the Elliotts and the padded saddle. It is very well made and does not mar the neck. It is not a piece of jewelry, like some expensive capos, but I cannot imagine a more functional capo that is both user and instrument friendly. I can't think of a thing I would change about it! I still use the Shubb if I capo at the fifth fret. But I rarely capo above the fourth. Not cheap, but worth every penny!
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: JDMC
I picked this up at JDMC while having my frets dressed. I have been pleasantly surprised at how accessable the tabs are. I have seen intermediate banjo books with tabs that were not this easy to follow. Some of the tabs are very comprehensive. Sally Goodin has the backup to all fiddle breaks and, of course, the banjo break. All that is not included is the banjo backup for the guitar break. The book includes solos and selected backups to all of the songs from two great albums: THE OLD HOME PLACE and FLASHBACK.
The tabs are so accessable, I believe, because J.D. plays with such taste. Picking the tabs are easy, getting the note seperation and drive that J.D. always brings to the table is the difficult part. Difficult, but I can't think of better material to work on note seperation, taste, timing and subtlty in picking. I cannot recommend this Accutab publication enough, and it is great for picking along with the songs on the two CDs. John Lawless, Bill Evans and J.D. himself did wonderful work on lining out these tabs and proofing them
Overall Rating: 10
Made arrangements to drop by Gary's on the way to my daughter's commencement for getting her Masters. It was on the way, and I wanted to buy a banjo case. When I arrived, Gary sold me the perfect case (own revue), then proceeded to correct a blemish that occured on the back of my resonator after letting a person with really weird body chemistry play my banjo. This was not an easy problem to fix! I had already taken it to another very well regarded luthier and player who was not much help. Gary had to try several different methods, but in a very few minutes, he had the resonator on my Granada looking better than ever! The best part, he explained each step as he did it, and if something did not work, he explained what he would try next and why. Then Gary did some great picking on the Granada and as we left, he went back to digging post holes on his place! I think Gary's PhD in Molecular Biology puts him in a unique position to handle difficult instrument finish problems. A great guy, player, luthier, story teller and vault of banjo lore!
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Gary Price
I bought this directly from Gary. It is almost an art object, because the functionality of the design is so exquisite. It is heavy, but very well balanced. There is ample storage room. The hinges are especially heavy duty. It is much easier to keep my banjo in a case like this, instead of on a stand, because I can get to storage without disturbing the banjo and the lid has a trustworthy vertical setting for ease of use. My only caviat would be to those too frail to deal with a case this heavy, and in such a situation I would still recommend this case, because of the security it offers, as long as the player would realize he or she would need help in transporting the case. But it is that good and the only case to which I will entrust my Granada.
Overall Rating: 10
I have had MANY dealings with JDMC in the last year. Janet is very busy, but if you can get her on the phone and describe the sound you are looking for, she can match you with the banjo you are meant to have. Tom is an excellent set up person. I have read on different sites that JDMC might not answer an email. This can be true. I have asked them for assistance when product descriptions made comparisons difficult. Lord, knows, they just honestly did not have time to investigate and address all of the questions I had. I also like Janet very much as a person and have made clear not to bother answering emails when she does not have time. HOWEVER, whenever I have had a serious question or concern about a product I have purchased, Janet and her staff have always been very responsive, supportive and informative.
UPDATE: I found an error on an old invoice. The error was most likely caused due to my language problems since my stroke. When it was brought to the attention of JDMC, practically everyone in the place did everything possible to make it right, even though the fault was my own. Outstanding service. I wish I could give them more than a "10".
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Janet Davis Music
Year Purchased: 2007
Price Paid: Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
Full bottom end without being tubby. This thing is a rocket up the neck! Bright with no tinniness. This banjo can really sing sweetly or tear you up! I went to JDMC and tried many different banjos and brands. I was wanting to get off as cheaply as possible. But after trying many other banjos , I knew I had my banjo as soon as I heard this one! It is more multidimensional than many clones; it can be as sweet or as piercing as you want!
Sound Rating: 10
JDMC does a great job on their set ups. There were some things i didn't get done, but it had been a l;ong trip, I have trouble communicating when I am so tired (since my stroke), they were busy that day and would have practically had to read my mind. A very good set up overall.
Setup Rating: 9
This is a maple monster and is a wonderful instrument to behold. The gold is nice, but would not have paid for gold, if I could have gotten the sound I was after from anything else. Overall the visual aspect of the banjo is stunning. The FE can be a little over the top, but I just think of it as "bug splat" or "frog splat" and it brings it back down to the real world for me.
Appearance Rating: 10
One year plus, and the gold plating is holding up very well. No reliability issues with any of the parts!
Reliability Rating: 10
JDMC is helpful in every way--before, during and after the sale The 10 rating is for her.
I have not had to deal with Gibson
Customer Service: 10
All components top flight.
Components Rating: 9
I WOULD DEFINITELY GET ANOTHER ONE IF SOMETHING HAPPENED TO THIS ONE! i ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! I love the SOUND and the PLAYABILITY.
Overall Rating: 10