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!

6991 reviews in the archive.

Nechville: Geometric

Submitted by ProfessorBanjo on 2/6/2011

Where Purchased: Music Folk, St. Louis

Year Purchased: 2010
Price Paid: 2600 ($US)

Sound

The Geometric has plenty of tone, power and depth despite the fact that it does not have a brass tone ring. The wood tone ring is part of the rim.

Sound Rating: 10

Setup

Like all Nechville Heli-Mount banjos, the Geometric is very adjustable. It came equipped with a radius/compensated bridge. Along with the optional radius fretboard with the larger, guitar style frets it plays very easily.

Setup Rating: 10

Appearance

I was attracted to the simplistic design. A fancy banjo is not a better banjo. The fretboard is inlayed with only dots and the headstock has inlayed "Nechville". The finish was perfect although the stain was not as good as some I have seen. Actually I would like smaller dots on the fretboard.

Appearance Rating: 9

Reliability

It plays perfectly in tune up and down the neck. Even when I put on a capo it stays in tune with only a slight adjustment of the 5th string.

Reliability Rating: 10

Customer Service

Tom has been very helpful to take the time to answer all my questions and help with the setup. He listens to suggestions and thoughts about his products.

Customer Service: 10

Components

I have it set up with a pickup that was purchased from Nechville. I use a L.R. Baggs Para Di for a pre-amp. They work very well together.

It came with a TKL gig bag. As for as gig bags go it is a very nice one. But I just don't trust gig bags especially with a banjo. The long neck really seems vulnerable. I don't understand why it is shipped with a gig bag, this fine banjo deserves a more substantial case. I bought a heavy duty fiberglass case to protect this fine machine.

Components Rating: 8

Overall Comments

I am very satisfied with the banjo, it's price, quality of workmanship and sound. This is the lowest priced Nechville Heil-Mount but I think it is the coolest model he produces.
The absence of a heavy brass tone ring and the combination of the innovative Heil-mount make this banjo very light weight. My back really appreciates this during long a long gig or jam session.

Overall Rating: 10

Cases (Hard, Flight): Stewart McDonald Banjo Lite Case

Submitted by ProfessorBanjo on 4/10/2009

Where Purchased: Stewart McDonald

Overall Comments

It's pretty nice. I haven't found a manufacturers name anywhere.
It is different from the Zero Gravity, Gator, and the Delta.
It's not too big or oversize like some I've seen. It's about the same size as plywood case and the Calton case. What I really like is the weight, It will be nice to carry around to festivals and gigs this summer. The backpack straps are heavy duty, comfortable, and strong enough to support a banjo. I think I will use it in place of my Calton and save the back ache.
It nice looking case. My only complaint would be that it needs a little more room for a strap. It does have a nice storage compartment inside as well as a zippered pouch on the outside. The pouch is large enough to hold a standard size laptop computer or a notebook.
I would say it is similar to the quality of a Travelite case (I own a mandolin Travelite case) although I like the interior fabric of the StewMac case . To my knowledge, Travelite does not make a banjo case.

Yes, I would buy another one.

Overall Rating: 9