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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!
7207 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: Andy Banjo
Year Purchased: 2009
Price Paid: 165 (GBP) (bought USED)
historic exchange rates / currency converter
Easy to play, plunky and basic sounding but great fun and really portable.
Sound Rating: 9
I baught online so the bridge was laid flat however Andy had marked the bridge location which made set up a doddle
Setup Rating: 9
I love the goodtime styling and always have.
Appearance Rating: 10
Great for the price
Reliability Rating: 10
Quickly delivered and carfully packed.
Customer Service: 10
I baught this banjo second hand and it has upgrades which include duel co-ordinating rods and planetary tuners which seem like a good investment
Components Rating: 9
I baught this banjo for portability and quit practice. My main banjo is a Deering Sierra. Both sound great in their own completely different ways but for the money the Goodtime is superb and great fun.
Overall Rating: 9
Where Purchased: Eagle Music UK
Year Purchased: 2008
Price Paid: £1299 ()
historic exchange rates / currency converter
I started learning to play about nine month ago and baught a Stagg banjo for £130. I'm still very much a beginner but practice at least an hour a day in the week and several at weekends. It started to feel as though the stagg was holing me back so after research I decided on a Deering Goodtime Special. Once at the shop I made the mistake of trying the Sierra and although the Special was good the Sierra's sound was wonderfull, crisp, deep and warm.
Sound Rating: 10
Eagle Music were overun with customers for a Friday morning but Alan gave me plenty of time and straight forward advice. Once I decided he set it up and gave it a good test. I can take it back when I'm ready for them to check over and tighten up where required.
Setup Rating: 10
Lovely unfussy appearance with faultless finish.
Appearance Rating: 10
Only baught it yesterday (30th October 2008) but with the way it looks and feels I don't expect any problems.
Reliability Rating: 10
Superb as my comments above. Thanks Alan and Eagle Music.
Customer Service: 10
I can't see anything that would appear to need upgrading.
Components Rating: 10
I baught this to replace my cheap starter banjo with a view to it being for keeps. My playing has got a long way to go to catch up with my new banjo and the idea is that this one will outlast me.
Overall Rating: 10
Bought my Deering Sierra from Eagle Music yesterday (30th October 2008). Everybody helpful, Alan gave me loads of time, good advice and set the instrument up very well. I can take it back to be re set up when I'm ready.
I could have bought cheaper but Eagle give me confidence that if anything is wrong it will be put right.
Overall Rating: 10
