All Banjo Reviews (By Submitter)

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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!

7005 reviews in the archive.

Turtle Hill: Bluegrass Woody

Submitted by CFR on 4/23/2007

Where Purchased: Turtle Hill

Year Purchased: 2007
Price Paid: 2350 ($US)

Sound

This is a loud banjo with a rich sound. I wanted a walnut banjo to go with my maple Gold Star and mahogany Nechville. This is as loud as either of those. It is definitely suited for bluegrass. Dave at Turtle Hill said this was the best sounding Woody he had sold. My wife liked the sound of this banjo also. She said it was not as ringy as the other banjos.The Woody is acceptable for clawhammering but it shines playing bluegrass.

Sound Rating: 10

Setup

The banjo was set up well. The action is little higher than I have on my other banjos but it plays easily so I won't mess with it. The bridge was positioned properly. The head is at the right tightness. I just tuned it when I got it and started picking.

Setup Rating: 10

Appearance

I like the looks of this banjo. I wasn't really sure from the pictures at Turtle Hill about the inlays but the more I play the banjo the more I like the way it looks. It is a tastful appearance but not a copy of anything else out there. The metal shines. The finish on the wood is perfect.

Appearance Rating: 10

Reliability

I do not expect any problems. Everything seems solid and high quality. Finish is smooth and the neck plays fast.

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

Dave is great to work with at Turtle Hill. He stands behind his brand and I have never seen any negative comments so I am not worried.

Customer Service: 10

Components

Gotoh Tuners, Kershner tailpiece and a Z-bridge are standard so I don't expect any problems. The resonator is a walnut veneer.

Components Rating: 9

Overall Comments

This is a great value. Dave doesn't provide this to other dealers although he has been asked. Since there is no tone ring it is lighter and easier to tote around. I plan to use it a festivals. The Gold Star archtop has a crisper ringier sound than the Woody. The Woody, although loud, does not punch quite like the Nechville.

Overall Rating: 10

Nechville: Nuvo

Submitted by CFR on 5/3/2004

Where Purchased: Nechville Musical Products

Year Purchased: 2004
Price Paid: $$$$ ($US)

Sound

This banjo has a pure sound. It punches through a jam session without any ringing overtones. It works well for both clawhammer and 3 finger style.

Sound Rating: 10

Setup

Banjo was set up the way I like it. I tightened the head a little bit which takes 2 minutes with the Nechville design. It came with d-tuners on 2nd and 4th strings which work perfectly for changing tunings (from open G to double D).

Setup Rating: 10

Appearance

This is a great looking banjo. It has curly mahogany neck and resonator, black chrome plating and black and white purfling.

Appearance Rating: 10

Reliability

I do not expect any trouble out of this banjo. The finish shines and it seems like it will last. The Helimount system is simpler and will have fewer problems than a typical banjo.

Reliability Rating: not rated

Customer Service

Tom was very easy to talk to and he listened a took notes of our discussions.

Customer Service: 10

Components

The radiused neck is easier to play. The

Components Rating: 10

Overall Comments

This banjo is everything I wanted. I used to play a Goldstar G12HF Archtop. The Nechville is superior in tone and playability. I would replace this banjo with the same.

Overall Rating: 10