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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!
7225 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: BHO Member
Year Purchased: 2006
Price Paid: Don't Remember (bought USED)
historic exchange rates / currency converter
As close as you can come to a pre-war flathead Gibson Style 3 without mortgaging your house and ending up in divorce court. Perfect bottom end. Clear and true up the neck.
Sound Rating: 10
Neck was adjusted to accomodate an 11/16th bridge. Everything is tight and all the components fit perfectly together.
Setup Rating: 10
Wreath inlay, mahogany, no-hole flathead tone ring, standard neck, nickel hardware. Huber's are extremely well built instruments.
Appearance Rating: 10
This has become my go-to banjo for all gigs. It's a hoss!
Reliability Rating: 10
Ummm....well, I have to say the my past dealings with Huber were great when I purchased the Mills model. Lately, it hasn't been quite what I had come to expect. Steve does provide fast turn arounds, but I think they are a little buried and need to concentrate on their customers a little more.
Customer Service: 8
Excellent banjo in all regards.
Components Rating: 10
I feel that Huber is producing some of the finest banjos in the market today. However, I am a HUGE fan of the classic Gibson's and this is what you are getting with the "Vintage" series banjos. Some folks aren't big Gibson fans and if you're one of those people, than there are certainly other choices available, but the quality and sound of Steve's instruments is beyond reproach.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Local Dealer
Year Purchased: 1984
Price Paid: Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
I've owned / own several different high end banjos, and every time I pick this thing up it amazes me how good it sounds. It is extremely loud and almost has a biting/cutting tone to it. The fourth string really has the boom that eveyone seems to crave and the sound is pretty uniform all across the instrument. I can say that is doesn't have quite the
Sound Rating: 9
I do all my own set-ups, so this really isn't applicable. However, the banjo holds set-up well and (what I can remember) it played really well right when I got it. I've installed a Snuffy Smith bridge 11/16, Kerschner tailpiece, spikes etc.
Setup Rating: 9
Wood and finish have held up great. Still looks new. My neck has developed a slight twist in it, but so far it hasn't affected the playabaility. I have always taken care of my instruments (wiping them down, polishing etc) but over the last couple of years the nickel finish has started to tarnish. However, I kind of like the look. It gives it that
Appearance Rating:
See above for the insterument condition. This is my
Reliability Rating: 9
N/A
Customer Service: not rated
See above.
Components Rating: not rated
This was my first banjo I bought when I started to learn to play. I couldn't afford an old pre-war Gibson, and the newer Gibson's were crap, so this banjo seemed to fit the bill. Little did I know (20 years later) that this banjo would actually surpass Gibson banjos in many ways. It has the tone of any $2500+ banjo on the market, the workmanship is top notch, the playability is great and it's been my
Overall Rating: 10