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!
7197 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: http://www.purcell-banjo-bridges.com/
I rarely give a 10 in a review of anything but Tim's bridges, and especially Tim himself, more than deserves a 10.
I just put one of his Ambrosia Red Maple bridges, 11/16 height with a compensated third strong top, on a maple custom Nechville I have had for a few years and I must say it is an outstanding bridge.
I had one of Tim's piano maple bridges on this banjo and it is also great.
The Ambrosia red maple had a bit more volume and brightness and sounds extremely well balanced over the entire fingerboard and is very responsive.
And the tone is outstanding. Punch and intensity galore! You will not go wrong in ordering a bridge from Tim.
I have been playing over 30 years and can say without a doubt Tim's bridges are the best I have ever played.
Even more importantly to me Tim is a stand up guy. He takes his craft and his customer service seriously and he will do everything he can to make you a banjo bridge you will love.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Tim Purcell
Tim's bridges are excellent and he will work hard to get you the banjo sound you are looking for.
From custom sound to custom design Tim will fix you right up at a good price and with a great turnaround time on orders.
Thanks Tim!
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: private sale
Year Purchased: 2005
Price Paid: Don't Remember (bought USED)
historic exchange rates / currency converter
Great full big sound.
Wide variety of sounds from mellow near the neck to biting near the bridge.
Fit my style well as I play both bluegrass and original contemporary pieces.
Sound Rating: 10
I always setup anything I get.
Tightened the head, lowered action, lowered the tailpiece to 3/16 above head.
Best neck I have ever played. A bit wider than most.
Plays so well you are inspired to try more challenging picking, and pull it off!
Setup ease is the Nechville's specialty. So easy to do anything to it you might need to and it responds very well to different setups. It doesn't lose tonal quality like most.
Tried a few other bridges but went back to the original Nechville bridge.
Might get one for my Gold Star J.D.
Setup Rating: not rated
Beautiful maple wood neck and resonator, highly figured.
Very nice ebony fingerboard with perfect wreath inlay pattern.
Unique attractive Nechville peghead.
Nicely gold plated.
Appearance Rating: 10
No issues and none expected.
Already used it in a gig.
Played great!
Reliability Rating: not rated
Warrantied to original owner for lifetime.
Unfortunately I am a 2nd owner but I don't foresee any problems.
Customer Service: not rated
All the components are perfect for this banjo.
NO need to tinker with new tuners, tailpieces, heads, bridges, etc.
Too bad more banjos aren't like that.
Or maybe it's banjo players?
Just play the darn thing and enjoy it!
Components Rating: 10
Recommended highly for the money I paid and more.
Whole banjo is great. Tom Nechville did a fantastic job inventing this innovative design.
I'd have to get another if it were stolen.
I'M HOOKED!
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: E bay
Year Purchased: 2003
Price Paid: 592 ($US) (bought USED)
I play bluegrass and some contemporary stuff like Eagles, Fist it fine.
Full sound. Good base and treble with a bit more brightness then usual but not overly so. Ever so small amount of a hollow sound. Barely noticable but I am picky.
I was very satisfied after going through a settup. Easily worth 3 times what I paid.
Sound Rating: 9
I went through a complete setup. Action, head tension, tightened the neck to the rim, Moon heavy bridge, already had a Price tailpiece on it. A definate bonus!
Setup Rating: 6
Nice natural maple finish, ebony fingerboard, MOP Wreath inlays. Fit and finish very very nice.
Appearance Rating: 9
It's 26 years old as looks is in near mint condtion. No reason to think it won't last. No plating wear.
Reliability Rating: 9
Never dealt with company.
Customer Service: not rated
everything on it is nice. might change the tone ring if I really wanted to but probably not. sounds good like it is. I was glad the Price TP was on it.
Components Rating: 9
I'd recommend it in a minute. If it was stolen I don't know what I'd do. There's no way I could replace it for what I paid for it.
I like it a lot. I was very surprised at the quality and sound for the price.
Sounds almost like my J.D.Crowe Gold Star, just a but brighter and a touch hollow but still great. Thicker head might take care of that but untill it wears it isn't worth the trouble. Fine instrument.
Overall Rating: 9
Where Purchased: Mandolin Bros.
Year Purchased: 1987
Price Paid: Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
I was looking for a step up from the base model Gold Star and I lucked up on a good deal on this model. It is supposed to be an exact copy of the famous Gibson Granada even down to the tone ring composition.
Easy to play, full solid tone with good 4th string boom and good 1st and 5th string crack. Very balanced and rich sound. Installing a price tail piece and high end bridge helped but then again it didn't really need help. I like everything about it and have NO dislikes. It will never leave my hands......
Sound Rating: 10
The setup was so-so when I received it. I go through a complete setup on whatever I get. I did make a new nut for this one. Really sounds great now and has sounded great for 16 years.
Setup Rating: 6
Beautiful instrument. Ebony fingerboard, hearts and flowers inlay, genuine , mother of pearl tuning buttons, nicely flamed maple neck and resonator, and shiny and matte finish gold plating like the Granada.
Top workmanship, parts fit perfectly.
Appearance Rating: 10
Hardware is great. Always dependable. Gold had worn some on the armrest but it's expected after 16 years. No finish problems at all.
Reliability Rating: 10
Haven't had to deal witht he company but I think they are out of business now.
Customer Service: not rated
I replaced the presto style tailpeice for a Price I had gold plated. Replace the standard bridge.
Not bad parts , just my preference.
Components Rating: 9
I recommend it wholeheartedly. It is worth twice + what I gave for it.
If it was stolen I'd cry! And hope the insurance would pay for something to replace it perfectly.
My favorite feature is the whole banjo. I never thought I'd get one as high end as this. It's my dream banjo.
I've not played another banjo yet that I would have rather had.
Overall Rating: 10
Newest Posts
'Martin Cowboy V Guitar' 5 min
'ISO' 13 min
'Since evolution has died' 57 min
'Old Dog Cover' 1 hr
'For Texican65 and ...' 3 hrs
