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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!
7228 reviews in the archive.
Where Purchased: used
Year Purchased:
Price Paid: Don't Remember (bought USED)
historic exchange rates / currency converter
LOUD AS A CANNON!!
the tone is different, not bad, just not what I am used to (it is kinda unfair to compare any banjo tone to my Tommy George)
the notes are clear all the way up the neck, very consistaint.
Across the board it sounds pretty darn good.
Sound Rating: 9
I have not done any thing but play it, it was very used so I assume it was set up proir to my getting it, but, it is possilbe that Deering set up is great out of the box.
Setup Rating: 10
it is pretty basic, very simple, but, flawless workmanship. it is put together in the same class as most top end banjos (George aside...shameless plug)
I like the way it looks
Appearance Rating: 10
the thing is built like a tank, only lighter
Reliability Rating: 10
Greg and Janet ALWAYS deliver, they even answer the phone.
Customer Service: 10
it is VERY light given how loud it is, simple, but plays great. across the board it is just hard to beat a Deering neck and the level of service they deliver
Components Rating: 10
the Basic seems light compared to the Boston I played and I belive has better bass, but, tone is subjective. It is easy to critize the tone of this because everyone in the campgrond can hear it...
Overall Rating: 9
Where Purchased: direct from Steve Gill
well I gota admit $20..0 was hard to part with, but, then again the combined cost of the bracket and Snark tuner is less than
$ 40.00. At the end of the day, THIS THING WORKS LIKE A CHAMP.
it is embaraslingley simple. nothing to go wrong and did I mention IT WORKS. In a prefect world you could buy them both at the same place....oh well. bottom line-- nothing out there works as well. stop trying to re invent the wheel and buy one, be sides Steve is a great banjo resource and the type of guy we have come to rely on for great banjo parts
thanks Steve you pegged this one
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: From Tommy Direct
Year Purchased: 2011
Price Paid: Don't Remember
historic exchange rates / currency converter
The banjo sounds GREAT
It is pretty new and has yet to settle in, but, I like it better than any thing I have ever played in the past.
Sound Rating: not rated
Like anything Tommy makes, the set up is first rate, he is one of the best of the best. The banjo is very easy to play, Tommy's necks are something you just have to play to belive.
Setup Rating: 10
this banjo is a work of art, I wanted a somewhat understated banjo and you really do not see the level of craftsmanship until you hold it and see it up close, then the work that went into to the banjo becomes very visible. Tommy has captured the old school vibe to the letter.
Appearance Rating: 10
The best hardware was used. The finish is flawless,
Reliability Rating: 10
You will not find a better person to deal with. period.
There is a HUGE difference between dealing with a company and a luither like Tommy. Small things like going into his shop to see the neck before it was finished, discussing the stain before it was put on, selecting a peg head profile..
Every one should at least once consider letting a great talent like Tommy build exactally what you want. (when compared to the cost of some name brands-- the smaller guys ARE MORE AFFORDABLE THAN YOU THINK.)
Customer Service: 10
cox submerged wood rim, hopkins tone ring, keith tuners, fluts tail piece,
these are just parts, what really makes it work is time, talent and passion by the guy that know how to put them all together.
there is nothing to do with this banjo but learn to play it etter
Components Rating: 10
I collected money and parts for a few months and Tommy built the neck and fit everthy thing together. I wanted something a bit different than the typical Masterclone and Tommy broght every thing together. I doubt that any off the shelf banjo would be in the same leauge as the banjos Tommy makes. There is something about the small one up hand built banjos that the big guys can not do. Call your local luither and use them if at all possilbe
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: kat's eye web site
At first i thought that they were a bit pricy, but, not compared to others of that class.
Teh first one I got was a bit small, these are set to VERY close tolerences, that is why they work so well. I call them told them about my neck 9it is a hand made one so it is not standard) and they sent a replacemnt out that I got in 3 days. IT REALLY DON'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THAT. MABE IT IS BECAUSE THEY ARE SMALL OR MABE THEY JUST LET A TRUE PASSION FOR BANJO DICTATE HOW THEY DO BUSINESS.
in short, if you have been thinking aobut getting one do it, you will love the craftsmanship and the service.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: used
what other product that is over 35 years old works as well as the day it was new/ I took these fro a banjo i got in trade, sent them to Mr. Keith (who by the wy answers his own phone) for a lube job (they were working fine when i removed them). I got them back in about a week with a letter telling me how old they were. The cost was aorund 15 bucks plus some minior shipping. I also bought two more regular tuners from him. These are SMOOTH as all get out
Given the over the top quality and service, these are NOT EXPENSIVE as other will claim.
Overall Rating: 10
Where Purchased: flittle moutain music
well every know and then some totally unique and cool come about. this is a product that is brutally simple and WORKS.
for the price of pizza (hey if you play the banjo you may be delivering pizza any way) you can put one of these on your banjo. for me it evened out the string volume and made my banjo project better, I am not sure about any added volume, but these are great.. DON'T COMPLICATE YOUR LIFE---JUST BUY ONE
Overall Rating: 10