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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!
7231 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: Stolen from the delivery guy
I like the bic pen cap-o. However when playing clawhammer the thumb action on the fifth string can occasionally cause the cap-o to go thwing out of place. Excellent on the spot/lowdough choice. Everybody should have several.
Overall Rating: 8
Where Purchased: janetdavismusic
size medium. Finally no more fake glue on fingernails. No more bending and figiting a bluegrass pick to sort of work. This pick is the best for clawhammer. If you know of anything better or equal tell me. I love this pick even more nearly a year later. If I lost my pick and couldn't get another I might (choke) switch to three finger.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Bill Rickard
Year Purchased: 2008
Price Paid: Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
It's a twelve inch tubaphone with an amber head. Good clean sound
Sound Rating: 10
Nice low action. Set-up is great
Setup Rating: 10
I ordered mine simple and elegant. Spot on
Appearance Rating: 10
Forever, everything is very accurately built.
Reliability Rating: 10
It was a privilege to deal with Bill.
Customer Service: 10
I really like the laser cut flange. It is a stand out change that looks good.
Components Rating: 10
I love it. If you want a great openback get it from Bill Rickard.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: janetdavismusic.com
Year Purchased: 2008
Price Paid: Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
undecided
Sound Rating: not rated
working on it
Setup Rating: not rated
ok
Appearance Rating: 7
working on it
Reliability Rating: not rated
Gold Tone
Customer Service: 7
moved 5th string tuner to the head(existing friction tuner removed and plugged) used guitar style from a goodtime. big improvement
Components Rating: 6
ONE POUND FOUR OUNCES This is the best option I've seen for a trail-worthy instrument. Some improvements and changes need to be made for reliable playability. So far so good. I give it a thumb-up.
Overall Rating: 7
Where Purchased: janetdavismusic.com
size medium. Finally no more fake glue on fingernails. No more bending and figiting a bluegrass pick to sort of work. This pick is the best for clawhammer. If you know of anything better or equal tell me.
Overall Rating: 10
Dennis at themandolinstore.com took very good care of me. His advice concerning choice of madolins is excellent. Shipping was prompt.
Overall Rating: 10
Ross Nickerson is very helpful and cares about what he does and sells. Shipping was fast. Ordering easy.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: banjo-teacher.com
Year Purchased: 2007
Price Paid: Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
Its a little high with an echo. a fiberskin or amber head might fix it. those are unavailable (to my knowledge) in the 8" size. I would like to see a 10" pot on this neck (move bridge away from edge toward center). volume is good in car. I use it for traveling.
Sound Rating: 6
set-up was fine.
Setup Rating: 9
looks good very nice. simple with nice binding
Appearance Rating: 8
built sturdy. this is a practice-travel-childrens-banjo
Reliability Rating: 9
Customer Service: 7
Parts and components are good
Components Rating: 8
It is not light enough for backpacking. The size is good for playing in the car. If stolen or lost or broken I would replace it with another 20" scale but with a 10-11" pot. Maybe another cc-mini. I like this banjo.
Overall Rating: 8
Where Purchased: pawn shop
Year Purchased: 2006
Price Paid: Don't Remember (bought USED)
historic exchange rates / currency converter
This old gumby has the multiply rim; these are soft and muted compared to the excellent 3ply rims on the newer Goodtime banjos.
Added a rolled brass ring to the multiply rim; much better note separation and volume, worth the effort.
The skin head it came with sounds good; changed to amber and it keeps tone more consistently, day to day. Top frosted is a good match too.
Sound Rating: 7
The banjo was fundamentally sound from Deering, but had been 'touched' prior to my purchase.
Adding the second coordinating rod stabilized tuning on the multiply rim (StewMac Dual Rim Rod Set Item # 0280).
It's very adequate now.
Setup Rating: 1
This is an old Goodtime Gumby the rim has a curly maple ply on the inside and out, very nice.
Appearance Rating: 10
The best feature of a Goodtime banjo is good typical components assembled, consistently, to the accepted standard.
Yes, the Goodtime is a reliable banjo.
Reliability Rating: 10
It's used-and-old-and-never needed a warranty.
Customer Service: not rated
The components are fine. Adding the second coordinating rod stabilized tuning on the multiply rim. Adding a tone ring/hoop improves note separation and volume. Most other changes are aesthetic.
Components Rating: 7
Good starter banjo. I love it; plays true and the action spot on.
2025 - I have other "better' banjos. This old Gumby hangs on the wall for easy access and gets an unfair share of my play-time. Thank you Deering.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Janet Davis Music
Janet Davis was easy. This is the most convenient tuner I have used and the price is right.
Overall Rating: 8
These people are great. shipping is prompt. service is friendly and helpful.
Overall Rating: 8
Where Purchased: Janet Davis Music
Year Purchased: 2007
Price Paid: Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
so so for a small banjo. two and a half months later after sitting unplayed in the closet the head sank. (this head is not adjustable) sounds out of tune when it's in tune. higher tunings help but do not remedy situation.
Sound Rating: 1
setup is ok
Setup Rating: 6
dipped, ok for the price
Appearance Rating: 4
tuners ok, wood neck ok, pot is paper, head not adjustable
Reliability Rating: 2
ordered from a dealer.
Customer Service: 10
cannot upgrade without puchasing a different banjo
Components Rating: 4
I would not recommend this banjo
Overall Rating: 1
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