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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!
7210 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: Direct from Craftsman
Year Purchased: 2003
Price Paid: Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
The sound was astoundingly LOUD.
I installed this bridge and when I leaned in to get a good listen I about hurt my ears when I took my first strum
Sound Rating: 10
Setup Rating: not rated
The top is the shell of a Coconut applied to a Glimmering Curly Maple Base;
It has been polished to astounding beauty.
Appearance Rating: 10
Very Solid.
Reliability Rating: 10
I have coresponded via e-mail with the maker and he has been up front and honest with his dealings.
Customer Service: not rated
The top is the shell of a Coconut applied to a Glimmering Curly Maple Base.
Components Rating: not rated
I highly recommend this bridge.
The sound is crisp and clean and the volume is incredible.
Creator of this bridge is Warren Yates.
www.projectsandhobbies.com
Overall Rating: not rated
Where Purchased: Mars Music (Bankrupt)
Year Purchased: 2001
Price Paid: 595.37 ($US)
Sound is good and full. A bit of adjusting could help.
Sound Rating: 7
The instrument was set up well enough to get it sold. A couple of frets buzzed but was fixed with a little tap and file.
It was abused in the store. The bridge was out of position and the 5th string was off to the side of the tailpiece instead of flat on top.
Setup Rating: 7
Nice looking banjo (from a distance). The neck has a heart inlay and the maple resinator has a dark finish. The tension hoop and resonator flange was rough and showed signs of file scratches. The thumbscrews looked as if someone marked them up with a screwdriver.
The wood was in good condition.
Appearance Rating: 7
The hardware is good and solid and should be able to hit the road without much concern. I basically got it to be a carry around to practice banjo with every intention of treating it rough.
Reliability Rating: 8
This instrument has a lifetime warranty on hardware and workmanship.
I have not had to call for repairs.
Customer service was poor. If this store represented all others it's no wonder Mars Music went under. (DON'T hire musicians to be salesmen).
I wanted to test drive a Scruggs model Gibson but it was abused and broken. I even offered to buy a bridge and repair the instrument so I could try it out, "NO". They wouldn't even discuss letting me buy it with a damage discount.
They were having a store wide sale but it didn't include banjos since they were already at "Rock Bottom Prices".
I'm considering writing to Epiphone and see what they have to say about my suspected replacement bridge.
Epiphone referred me to Gibson company so I could get more info in this instrument and I am awaiting a reply...........1 day later got a reponse they said "Specifications are subject to change without notice". That's it.
I wrote back asking for more hardware info (9-12-03), (11-15-03), (1-4-04) no response. Made several calls to 1-800-4GIBSON before I talked to a real person.
Customer Service: 3
The heart shaped inlays are nice and the headstock has a nicely done logo.
Everything is fairly basic but should hold up well.
MB-250 has Chrome Hardware, Nut width of 1.25", Mahogany Neck w/a Rosewood Fretboard showing off Heart inlays, Maple Resonator w/ Binding around edges and a double circular inlay on the back, Remo Head. It has a Brass Tone Ring mounted on a Maple Rim.
I don't believe the bridge is original and was probably replaced in the store. I have written to Epiphone / Gibson Co. for more component info.
Components Rating: 8
For the price I paid this would be a good instrument for a good beginner to an intermediate player. It's good for knocking around and working out difficult lics so you won't wear out your prime instrument.
If it were stolen? I would probably upgrade.
I really wanted to go in and buy a Good Gibson but the store (Mars Music) was not interested in being helpful.
I have noticed that the bridge is different than anything I've seen online or in catalogs. I have a feeling it was broken and replaced
So far I am not impressed with Mars Music or the Gibson Company as far as responding to e-mail requests for instrument specs so that I may make an accurate review. If you wish to call Gibson (1-800-4GIBSON) you will need patience but if you hold on long enough you will get an option to leave a message.
Overall Rating: 5
Where Purchased: Janet Davis Music Co.
Year Purchased: 2003
Price Paid: 524 ($US)
The sound of this instrument is similar to that of a Dobro with a bit less volume.
It does however have a smaller body so the tone is not as full and deep as you would hear from a standard Dobro.
It has a good sound for playing Jazz, Blues, Ragtime, and Classical styles of music.
Sound Rating: 9
I was able to take this instrument out of the case tune it and play without any setup problems.
Setup Rating: 10
This DOJO Deluxe has a Maple Top, Back, Sides, with a Sunburst Finish and an Abalone Body Inlay. The Neck is Maple with a Rosewood fingerboard that has simple Pearl inlays.
The body has a Contemporary Cutaway Design that allows up the neck fretting.
Of coarse you can't help but notice the Dobro style resonator.
Appearance Rating: 10
All the hardware seems to be in good shape.
With proper care the finish and hardware should last for many years.
Reliability Rating: 9
I ordered this instrument online without any clue as to how this instrument would feel or play.
A situation did arise on my order concerning product availability.
I had originally ordered the Mohogany DOJO w/case for $474.00.
They were out of stock on this item and would not have another for two or three weeks. I told them I had a festival coming up and had really wanted this instrument on hand.
They told me that I could upgrade my order for $50.00 and recieve the DOJO Deluxe (a $674.00 w/case Value).
(shipping was $35.00)
Customer Service: 10
The Maple body has a very nice Sunburst finish
The stand out part of this instrument would be the Dobro Style resonator equipped with a resonator cone of spun aluminum.
Nut and Saddle are Bone.
Body Inlay is Genuine Abalone.
Tailpiece-Straightline.
Planetary Tuners and a Geared 5th String Peg.
2-way adjustable truss rod.
Nickle plated cover plate.
I was actually surprized as to how light weight this instrument was considering it had a resinator.
Components Rating: 9
I really enjoy playing this instrument.
The action is soft to the touch and seems easier to play than some mid range banjos.
The sound is not quite as loud as a Dobro and may need amplification on stage.
I plan working out a lot of Ragtime, Blues, Classical, and Christmas music on this DOJO Deluxe.
After playing this instrument for a few weeks I had developed a very annoying noise and discovered that the biscuit that rests on the diaphram and holds the bridge had slipped and was resting against the metal resonator hole causing a rattle.
I moved the biscuit back into position and now have to be careful about knocking it out of position again.
This instrument needs to be played gently
Overall Rating: 8
Where Purchased: Purchased direct from Maker
Year Purchased: 2003
Price Paid: 209.00 ($US)
The short neck and body require the instruments open tuning to be in the key of "C".
A capo and an installed RR spike will get you to "D".
The high tuning and the Ball Jar Lid for a head gives this unit a very unique sound.
It has the tone of an OLD Tune played on an OLD Gramaphone playing through an OLD Victrola.
Definatly a Fun Toy like sound with accurate action good for Children's and Christmas type tunes.
I don't know how to rate this sound. I have a feeling people will either love it or hate it. (I Love it).
It will be fun to figure out ways to record and amplify.
Sound Rating: not rated
The instrument was set up very well right out of the box.
All I did was tune it up and play.
Setup Rating: 10
Very nice workmanship.
Very simple, nothing fancy or distracting.
If you play this in front of a crowd they will see it and be amazed.
Appearance Rating: 10
Very Good Hardware.
Nothing is on this instrument that would fail due to low quality.
Reliability Rating: 10
I corresponded through e-mail and the maker was friendly and honest with his replies.
I don't believe a warranty is even neccessary for this instrument.
The maker was concerned about the fiddle tuners so he sent another adjuster as a spare in case of accidental damage.
Customer Service: 10
The body is a solid block of Brazilian cherry with an ebony fingerboard. The nut is made of bone, and the
bridge is maple lined with ebony. The top screw tuners are stainless steel as well as the lower fine tuner
bracket. The fine tuners are E string adjusters for a fiddle. The head is a simple canning jar lid. RR
spikes have been installed at the 5th and 7th frets.
Components Rating: 10
I personally Love this little unit. I put an eyebolt on the top hook on a strap and wear it around the house
and yard and just pick away.
It will take a little time to get used to holding onto the thing. (the neck strap helped).
It will easily fit in a backpack and you could take it anywhere.
It IS considered a Practice Unit. Similar to a weighted golf club or a donut weight on a baseball bat.
This unit will require you to put forth a bit of extra effort and thinking as you practice but once you put it
down and grab a regular banjo you WILL feel a difference.
It is also not very loud so it will not disturb anyone around the house. Would work really well if you are
an appartment dweller.
I would NOT recommend this unit for a Beginner. It would work better if you have some playing time
under your belt.
Since it does not have a 5th string tuner it has been equipped with a RR spike at the 5th and 7th frets.
A capo will get you up to the key of "D".
It is a bit inconvenient to retune to alternate keys since major tuning must be tuned with a hex key
(included with instrument).
I will be taking some time to figure out a way to amplify this unique little instrument.
Overall Rating: 10
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