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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!
7233 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: client-owned
Year Purchased: 1970?
Price Paid: Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
This banjo "pops" really well. I've been setting it up for a friend, it does not belong to me.
Sound Rating: 8
The banjo was not set up properly when I received it. This banjo has been around for many, many years and a few things were in need of attention through lots of use in the early years and basically no use in 20 years.
Setup Rating: 5
Real easy on the eyes. mahogany neck and resonator. bell brass tone ring (20 hole) The banjo is all original and is from one owner.
Appearance Rating: 7
Everything is lasting good on this banjo. The 2nd and 3rd tuners have been replaced with Keith-Scruggs tuners. It has a newer 5-star head but all else in original.
Reliability Rating: 8
Customer Service: not rated
Nothing cheap on this banjo. Nothing needs replacing.
Components Rating: 8
This banjo rocks! They are hard to find and I'm sure the owner realizes the value. He's going to love what I've done for a set up. It really pops, now.
Overall Rating: 9
Where Purchased: Personal
Year Purchased: 2006
Price Paid: Don't Remember (bought USED)
historic exchange rates / currency converter
This is a fine sounding, 1963, "Bowtie" 20 hole banjo with the flyswatter peghead, Kluson stair-step tuners, "window" tailpiece, and a tone to kill for.
Sound Rating: 9
The banjo was set up perfectly when I purchased it. I changed the bridge after about a year, that's all. The action's great and intonation is spot on. It holds it's own right up against all the '30s Mastertones and many pickers like it's sound even better.
Setup Rating: 9
Mahogany neck and resonator. Probably a cast bronze tone ring (I don't know). It has a few "character" marks on it from years of on-stage and over-the-road use.
Appearance Rating: 7
I don't carry a backup banjo with me when I play this banjo. This is nearly identical in sound to my '59.
Reliability Rating: 9
N/A
Customer Service: not rated
Some day the Kluson stair-step tuners will need to give way to the more modern ones, but they still work very , very well and hold it in tune perfectly.
Components Rating: 9
I love it....but then again, I'm a "Bowtie" lover from way back.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: Traded for it
Year Purchased: 2011
Price Paid: Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
The banjo is about 2 years old and I traded a valuable violin for it and a mandolin. It is very suitable for hard-driving traditional Bluegrass. The frosted 5-Star head really helps, too, as I don't care for Remo heads. When I got the banjo, I took it apart and made sure the tone ring was properly seated (it was for the most part and only needed a little tweeking), I changed out the bridge to an old Grover (narrow, sanded-down one I had been saving for such a banjo) and I tightened the head almost to the breaking point, adjusted the neck action a little and wow! The thing came to life. It has a cast bronze tone ring in it and it really pops.
Sound Rating: 8
Since I did not purchase the banjo new, it's really hard to say whether a new banjo would come all set up and not need any tweeking. Also, I'm fussy about the sound, so I'd probably tweek any "new-to-me" banjo upon first receiving it.
Setup Rating: 8
The Gold Star GF-100HF is gorgeously beautiful!
Appearance Rating: 10
The finish is great and the tuning keys seem to be fine, too. The flange is substantial and the rest of the hardware seems very well made.
Reliability Rating: 9
I have no experience with Saga.
Customer Service: not rated
I can't think of a thing they could do to the banjo to improve it at the present price point.
Components Rating: 10
I play this one most of the time when I'm out and around jamming each night. I've been leaving the "Bowties" at home because the sound of this (as I've tweeked it) is so close and the looks are so flashy, it's just the banjo to take with me.
Overall Rating: 9
Where Purchased: from a friend
Year Purchased: 2005
Price Paid: under 3 grand ($US) (bought USED)
This is a 1959 RB 250 that pops with the finest banjos anywhere. Dry and crisp. Clear all the way up and back. Intonation right on the money.
Sound Rating: 10
Banjo was set up by my banjo pickin' friend. I changed the bridge, that's all. This is the old sound that is so sought after. My old "flyswatter" head flattop RB 250 rocks.
Setup Rating: 10
A few character marks on it, but nothing too noticeable. But who cares, anyway. The banjo is almost a half-century old. It is #7 of only 20 RB 250's made in the year 1959. Check out the Gibson shipping stats to verify.
Appearance Rating: 9
Hardware is great. All original. I've been gigging without a back up all along.
Reliability Rating: 10
I haven't had to deal with Gibson, ever. But I'll bet they stand behind their product just fine. I'll score 9 on a hunch.
Customer Service: 9
Nothing cheap on this.
Components Rating: 10
This banjo is worth a lot of money. Way more than I paid. If it is stolen, I'll feel terrible. I would not be able to replace something this beautiful sounding. I've picked all over the eastern seaboard and every one agrees, this banjo rocks.
Overall Rating: 10