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!

7131 reviews in the archive.

Prucha: Basic Deluxe

Submitted by hayseed on 4/18/2006

Where Purchased: Gene Elkins

Year Purchased: 2006
Price Paid: Don't Remember historic exchange rates / currency converter

Sound

This banjo delivers that genuine mahogany tone I had been looking for. Deep 4th string and great clarity throughout all registers.

Sound Rating: 10

Setup

The setup was done by Gene Elkins, a master player and set up artist in his own right. His apporach is to take a stock banjo and customize the rim/neck fit,neck angle and other fine tunings. The result was a slightly different setup than what I am accustomed to but I left it as is and within a few weeks became completely comfortable with it. The only thing I needed to do was smooth out the fret edges which were a little sharp and tighten the tuners a hair which were slipping a little.

Setup Rating: 9

Appearance

Even as a basic mahogany/chrome model this is a spectacular looking banjo. The quality of woods and finishing is something you just don't find in many banjos in this price range.

Appearance Rating: 10

Reliability

This appears to be a banjo made of the finest metal and wood components as well as other hardware parts. It is sure to be around a long time.

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

Gene Elkins is not only a very knowledgeble luthier but a real gent, too. I was lucky to find someone of his abilities and reputation here in my own State.

Customer Service: 10

Components

No upgrades are needed here, although, I might experiment with different bridges and maybe a tailpiece just for the fun of it.

Components Rating: 10

Overall Comments

I absoulutely love this banjo! It is hard to imagine that there is a better deal out there than a Prucha. If I ever decide to give it up, it would only be to upgrade to a different Prucha model.

Overall Rating: 10